ADA Path of Travel Evaluations in California
Accessible Path of Travel
When alterations, additions, or structural repairs are made to an existing building or facility in California, accessibility requirements may extend beyond the immediate area of construction. The California Building Code (CBC) may require accessibility improvements along the path of travel serving the altered area.
An accessible path of travel generally connects the area of work with the site arrival points, accessible parking, public sidewalks and streets, building entrance, and other portions of the facility serving the area of alteration. For alteration projects, the path of travel can also include certain restrooms, drinking fountains, signs, and other elements serving the area of work.
The extent of required path-of-travel improvements depends on factors including the scope of the project, adjusted construction cost, existing accessibility conditions, and California's current valuation threshold.
For projects at or below the applicable valuation threshold, California provides a proportionality provision that can limit required path-of-travel improvements to 20% of the adjusted construction cost when the cost of providing full compliance would exceed that amount. This does NOT mean that every alteration automatically requires spending 20% of the project cost.
Example of California's 20% Path of Travel Provision
Consider a tenant alteration to an existing retail space with an adjusted construction cost of $100,000. Assuming the project is subject to California's path-of-travel requirements and falls within the conditions where the proportionality provisions apply, the 20% amount would be $20,000.
If providing full accessibility along the required path of travel would cost more than $20,000, accessibility improvements may be limited to that amount, with improvements made to the greatest extent possible within the applicable cost limit.
If the required path-of-travel improvements can be completed for less than $20,000, the 20% figure is not a required spending target. The objective is to provide the required accessibility improvements—not simply to spend 20% of the construction cost.
The path of travel serving the altered area may involve features such as the accessible route, entrance, parking, restrooms, drinking fountains, and signage, depending on the facility and project conditions.
When Should the Path of Travel Be Evaluated?
Ideally, existing path-of-travel conditions should be evaluated early in the design process, before accessibility improvements and construction costs have been finalized.
Existing conditions can affect the scope and budget of an alteration project. Identifying accessibility barriers early gives the owner and design team an opportunity to determine which improvements may be required and incorporate appropriate corrective work into the project documents.
Discovering path-of-travel issues later—during construction or near final inspection—can result in design revisions, additional construction costs, or project delays that may have been easier to address during planning.
A Certified Access Specialist (CASp) can evaluate existing accessibility conditions and provide technical information to assist property owners, architects, contractors, and project teams during the planning and construction process.
Accessibility Services During Design & Construction
Proactive Access can assist property owners and project teams with accessibility planning before construction and evaluation of completed or existing conditions. Depending on the project scope, our services may include:
Path of Travel Evaluations – Evaluate existing accessibility conditions along the path of travel serving the proposed area of work.
Accessibility Plan Review – Review project documents for accessibility considerations before construction begins.
CASp Inspections – Conduct a CASp inspection of completed or existing conditions and provide documentation of identified accessibility conditions.
Evaluating accessibility requirements during the planning and design stages can help identify potential issues while corrective work can still be incorporated into the project scope and budget.
Request a Path of Travel Evaluation
Proactive Access has completed hundreds of path of travel evaluations for property owners, business owners, architects, contractors, and property managers throughout Southern California.
If you're planning an alteration, addition, tenant improvement, or other construction project, evaluating existing accessibility conditions early can help you understand potential path-of-travel improvements before the project scope and budget are finalized.
Contact Proactive Access to discuss your project and request an estimate for a Path of Travel Evaluation, Accessibility Plan Review, or CASp Inspection.
CASp #630 · 1,000+ Accessibility Field Evaluations · Serving Southern California