Custom
ADA Signs

The state of California has some additional ADA sign requirements that go beyond federal regulations, specifically regarding bathroom signage. In many instances, bathrooms will require two signs: those complying with federal laws and those complying with those established by California. California restrooms must be marked by a geometric sign that must be centered horizontally on the door between 58-60″ above the floor as measured from the centerline of the sign. Restrooms for men must have a 14″ thick equilateral triangle sign whose edges are 12″ long that points upwards. Restrooms for women are marked by a circular sign of the same thickness and a 12″ diameter. In both cases, the sign must contrast visually with the door. Unisex restrooms are identified by layering the two signs in the same dimensions, with the circular one on the bottom. In this case, the two symbols must contrast, with the circle also contrasting with the door.

It is tough to make a great ADA sign if you do not know what it should contain. ADA signs should be made with a non-glare finish. They must have high contrast between the background and the content, aside from any included braille. Visual characters must meet the font, size, and contrast requirements. Additionally, ADA signs whose primary purpose is identification must have tactile characters, may sometimes require pictograms, and must meet specific mourning requirements. Those meant to be directional and informational are not required to have tactile characters or pictograms, but they still have to meet the mounting requirements. These guidelines are specific enough for the sign to do its job but general enough that a business can still have custom ADA-compliant signs.

Part of complying is knowing when the signs are required. Any building that is open to the public must have ADA-compliant signs. They must be posted at each entrance and exit, doors inside stairwells, and any part of the building that pertains to safety somehow. Additionally, they must be present in their correct placement for every permanent room in the building. A permanent room or space is defined as a place with the same function for seven days or more. The exceptions to this are parking lots (aside from accessibility parking spaces), areas not meant for public use, or the exterior of a building, provided it is labeled with the name and address.

So this one is a bit of a trick question. Technically, the Department of Justice is responsible for enforcing ADA laws, both in general terms and those specific to signage. Still, the Department of Justice doesn’t have the time or resources to go around to every building and make sure that it is in line with the law. The task of assessing the signs falls to local code inspectors. Do not think that means you will get off easy if the building does not have the correct signage. The Department of Justice will not have any qualms about issuing fines for not having ADA-compliant signs. The first offense alone can be as much as $50,000.