Applying the ADA: Designing for The 2010 Americans with Disabilities Act Standards for Accessible Design in Multiple Building Types

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Residential Projects

by Jeromy Murphy, AIA RAS

INTRODUCTION

The lack of accessible or adaptable housing is a growing concern as our population ages. State and city governments are often tasked with providing affordable housing, group homes, or retirement communities, filling a need not supported by the private market. Providing accessible residences has been complicated by overlapping and sometimes conflicting requirements. The 2010 ADA standards attempts to harmonize the requirements for residential dwelling units.

Residential versus Transient Lodging

The primary difference between residential facilities and transient lodging is the length of stay. Residential dwelling units are provided primarily for long-term occupancy, and transient lodging is primarily for short-term occupancy.

106.5.54 Residential Dwelling Unit. A unit intended to be used as a residence that is primarily long-term in nature. Residential dwelling units do not include transient lodging, inpatient medical care, licensed long-term care, and detention or correctional facilities.

106.5.71 Transient Lodging. A building or facility containing one or more guest room(s) for sleeping that provides accommodations that are primarily short-term in nature. Transient lodging does not include residential dwelling units intended to be used as a residence, inpatient medical care facilities, licensed long-term care facilities, detention or correctional facilities, or private buildings or facilities that contain not more ...