Most people think of ramps or restrooms when they hear “ADA compliance” but the real test often starts before anyone steps inside – at the door.
The width, the handle, the reader height, even the door’s closing speed all decide whether your building is truly accessible or just technically compliant.
We’ll break down the key ADA door access requirements every NYC property owner should know.
Key Notes
- NYC code is often stricter than ADA.
- 32-inch clear width, 34-48 inch hardware height, lever handles required (not knobs).
- Mount card readers on the latch side with clear approach space outside the swing.
- Interior doors need a 5-pound max opening force and a 5-second closing time.
ADA vs Building Code vs NYC Code: Who Governs What?
ADA is a federal civil rights law focused on accessibility and equal use. It applies to public accommodations and commercial facilities, including existing buildings. The ADA standard requires barrier removal when readily achievable, and strict compliance for new construction and alterations.
Building codes like IBC regulate life safety and construction. They fold accessibility into the design process for new builds and major alterations, enforced by plan review and inspections.
NYC Building Code Chapter 11 often sets tighter or more specific rules. In NYC practice, the stricter provision prevails. That means you follow ADA and NYC together and use the more demanding requirement when they conflict.
Enforcement splits this way:
- ADA is enforced by the DOJ and private litigation. No permits, but lawsuits are real.
- NYC Building Code is enforced by DOB through permits, inspections, and sign-offs.
So, for any door or access control upgrade, design to the most stringent applicable rule and document it clearly for DOB while ensuring ADA usability on site.
Defining The Accessible Entrance & Route
An accessible entrance is more than a wide door. It must sit on a continuous accessible route from the sidewalk, transit drop-off, or accessible parking and allow independent entry.
Key Elements:
- At least one accessible entrance serving the public or tenant space.
- Continuous route with compliant slopes, cross slopes, and surfaces. Seasonal issues matter here. Ice, mats, and raised gratings can kill compliance.
- If the main entrance cannot be made accessible, provide a compliant alternate and install wayfinding signage from the primary door.
NYC Note: Street-to-storefront transitions and tight vestibules are frequent pain points. Plan for door swing, landing depth, and the reader or intercom location before you finalize millwork.
Doorway Geometry & Clearances
Clear Opening Width:
32 inches minimum, measured with the door at 90 degrees. Clear height is 80 inches minimum. For double doors, at least one active leaf must provide 32 inches clear.
If both leaves are active, your combined opening still has to meet swing and maneuvering rules.
Maneuvering clearances depend on the approach. Pull sides generally need more space than push sides. Field-friendly rules of thumb:
- Provide a clear floor space of at least 30 by 48 inches at the approach.
- Maintain the required side clearance beside the latch for pull-side approaches so a wheelchair user can position and open independently.
- Ensure the door leaf does not swing into required clear floor space for fixtures or the only available turning area.
Level landings: Provide a level, unobstructed landing on both sides. Avoid slopes, steps, or irregular surfaces in these zones.
Thresholds, Flooring Transitions & Surface Requirements
- Threshold height cannot exceed 1/2 inch if beveled or 1/4 inch if not beveled.
- The push side of a swinging door needs a smooth surface up to 10 inches above the finished floor so mobility devices do not snag.
- Keep mats, retail displays, temporary ramps, and seasonal weather strips out of the approach and landing. Your entry should be predictable 365 days a year.
Door Hardware: Handles, Pulls, Locks & Latches
Hardware must be operable with one hand without tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist.
In practice, that means:
- Compliant: lever handles, U-shaped pulls, and push plates.
- Noncompliant: round knobs, tiny finger pulls, thumb latches that require pinch-and-twist.
- Mounting height: operable parts between 34 and 48 inches above finished floor.
- Keep edges smooth and free of sharp projections.
When you add panic hardware or electrified locks, verify that the action is still doable with a closed fist and that mounting heights remain within range.
Opening Force, Closers & Closing Speed
- Interior hinged doors: Target 5 pounds of opening force. Measure continuous force, not just the breakaway.
- Exterior doors: ADA does not set a single max, but keep opening forces as low as practical while complying with wind, weather, and security. NYC storefronts often need closer tuning to strike the balance.
- Closing speed: A door with a closer must take at least 5 seconds to move from 90 degrees to about 12 degrees from the latch. Spring hinges must close more slowly than a typical non-accessible setting.
Automatic and Power-Assisted Doors
Automatic doors are not required everywhere. They are required when a manual door cannot be used independently by people with disabilities.
Design Points That Matter:
- Use low-energy operators for moderate traffic or full-power operators for heavy traffic entrances.
- Provide adequate hold-open time for safe passage. Three seconds is a bare minimum. Many NYC entries need longer due to crowding and strollers.
- Ensure manual operability during power loss.
- Follow applicable performance standards for sensors, safety edges, approach detection, and closing speeds.
Mount push-to-open actuators within the reach range and outside the door swing arc. Place them where a wheelchair user can activate, maneuver, and pass without backtracking into traffic.
Access Control Devices & ADA Placement
Adding access control makes or breaks usability at the door. Plan the device location first, not last.
Card Readers and Keypads:
- Operable parts between 34 and 48 inches above the finished floor.
- Provide a 30 by 48 inch clear floor space for approach, front or side.
- Limit wall protrusion to 4 inches along circulation paths.
- Mount on the latch side wall whenever possible, not tight to the hinge where the door or closer arm blocks access.
Intercoms and Video Intercoms:
- Controls within the 34 to 48 inch zone. Side reach can justify slightly higher mounts, but plan for both seated and standing users.
- Audio must be clear and loud enough for street noise. Visual indicators help users with hearing impairments.
- Consider camera framing that captures seated users, not just standing height.
- Provide tactile labels and Braille where required and keep the unit within the protrusion limits.
Push-To-Open Actuators & Request-To-Exit Devices:
- Same 34 to 48 inch reach rule for operable parts.
- Locate outside of the door swing and within the clear approach area.
- Provide obvious visual or tactile markings so users can find and operate quickly.
Doorbells At Commercial Entries:
- Mount between 34 and 48 inches and provide clear floor space for approach.
- If your main door is not accessible, the doorbell is not your fix.
- Provide an actual accessible entrance and sign it from the primary entry.
Interior Doors Serving Accessible Spaces
Accessibility does not stop at the front. Interior doors that serve accessible spaces must meet the same core requirements:
- 32 inch clear width and 80 inch clear height.
- Maneuvering clearances at pull and push sides.
- Compliant hardware and mounting heights.
- Opening forces targeted at 5 pounds for interior doors.
Think about tenant suite entries, amenity rooms, shared restrooms, and any space open to the public or used by employees. If people need to pass through the door to reach an accessible feature, that door must be accessible.
Frequent ADA Door Violations in NYC & How to Fix Them Fast
- Narrow clear widths caused by stops, weatherstripping, or misaligned frames. Fix by adjusting stops, changing gasketing, or replacing the leaf.
- Missing pull-side clearance in tiny vestibules. Solutions include reversing swing where code allows, relocating the reader, or reconfiguring the vestibule.
- Round knobs or hard-to-use latches. Swap to lever sets or accessible pulls.
- Overpowered closers that slam shut or require too much force. Re-tune or replace closers and verify sweep timing.
- Readers or intercoms mounted too high or too close to the hinge. Relocate to latch side at compliant heights with clear approach.
- Thresholds over 1/2 inch or sharp transitions. Install compliant threshold ramps and correct substrate issues.
- Obstructions like planters, sandwich boards, or trash cans parked in the approach zone. Remove and set a facilities policy to keep the area clear.
Most of these fixes are low-cost and high-impact when you address them before inspection or litigation.
Keep Your Doors Safe, Compliant & Accessible
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the penalty for not meeting ADA door access requirements?
Businesses found non-compliant can face federal fines up to $75,000 for the first violation and $150,000 for subsequent ones, plus potential lawsuits and required retrofits. In NYC, DOB may also withhold permits or issue violations during inspections.
Do ADA door requirements apply to employee-only areas?
Yes. If employees with disabilities need to access or work in those spaces, doors must meet ADA standards for width, hardware, and maneuvering space – just like public areas.
Can I use electronic locks and still meet ADA standards?
Absolutely, as long as the locking and release mechanisms are operable with one hand, within the 34–48 inch height range, and don’t require tight grasping or twisting. Power failure must default to safe egress.
Are temporary or pop-up business entrances covered by ADA rules?
Yes. Even short-term installations like pop-up shops or event spaces must provide at least one accessible entrance meeting ADA door and threshold requirements, including proper signage if alternate access is used.
Conclusion
Meeting ADA door access requirements isn’t just about avoiding fines. It’s about running a building that works for everyone – from delivery drivers juggling packages to customers using wheelchairs or parents pushing strollers.
The small details matter most: how much force it takes to open a door, whether a card reader is mounted too high, or if a threshold is just a bit too steep. Over time, those details shape how people experience your space.
If you’re not sure where your property stands, book a free on-site appointment. We’ll walk your entryways, check compliance, and give clear, practical recommendations to make access smooth, safe, and code-ready.
