RERC on Universal Design at Buffalo
School of Architecture and Planning--University at Buffalo
Updated January 2008
EXISTING STATE LAWS & PROGRAMS Date Location Name Types of Homes Subsidized / Unsubsidized Mandatory / Voluntary Link to Ordinance ARCHITECTURAL REQUIREMENTS Entrance to Home Interior doors & Accessible Route Bathrooms Light switches, thermostat, electrical outlets, electrical panel, etc./Added Features / Comments Enforcement
1989 FLORIDA Florida Bathroom Law   Subsidized and unsubsidized  Mandatory         Shall provide at least one bathroom, located with maximum possible privacy, where bathrooms are provided on habitable grade levels, with a door that has a 29-inch clear opening. Local building departments
1998 GEORGIA Tax Credit Incentive Program New single-family homes that include all 4 accessibility features or retrofitting of an existing home that has one or more features.    Voluntary         For new single-family homes, a tax credit in the amount of $500 is available if home provides: no step entrance, 32-inch clearing on passage doors, reinforced bathroom walls and accessible light switches and outlets. Department of Revenue
1999 TEXAS   New single family affordable housing Subsidized (state or federal funds) Mandatory   At least one no-step entrance on accessible route; minimum opening 36 inches All Interior doors on first floor minimum 32 inches with 36 inch wide level hallways on first floor. First Floor bathroom walls reinforced For first floor, max 48 inches height, minimum 15 inches height.  Electrical box must be inside building on first floor.                                                                                                                296 homes funded by the Housing Trust Fund; Texas Bootstrap Loan Program provides up to $30,000 in mortgage loans to low-income families.  Department of Housing and Community Affairs
1999 VIRGINIA Tax Credit Incentive Program     Voluntary   One no-step entrance 32-inch clearance at interior passage doors Reinforced bathroom walls and grab bars around toilet, tub and shower Accessible light switches and outlets.  *Also includes features outlined in the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC)                                                           Credit only for retrofitting an existing home; Up to $500 for consumers who add these specific accessibility features. Virginia Department of Taxation
2000 GEORGIA   New single family affordable housing Subsidized (state or federal funds) Mandatory   At least one no-step entrance on accessible route; minimum opening 36 inches All Interior doors on first floor minimum 32 inches with 36 inch wide level hallways on first floor. First floor bathroom walls reinforced For first floor, max 48 inches height, minimum 15 inches height.  Electrical box must be inside building on first floor Not clearly stated
2000 VERMONT   New residential homes, one family or multi-family Unsubsidized and Subsidized (state or federal funds) Mandatory http://www.concretechange.org/vermont.htm One first-floor exterior door at least 36 inches wide First floor interior doors between rooms that are at least 34 inches or open doorways that are 32 inches. Halls are 36 inches wide level through main floor of unit. Bathroom walls reinforced Environmental and utility controls and outlets located at heights in compliance with standards of Vermont Access Board Law includes a consumer education component headed by the Department of Aging and Disabilities Assistive Technology Division
2001 MINNESOTA   New residential homes, one family or multi-family Applies only to projects financed in whole or in part by the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency Mandatory if MHFA funds are used   At least one no-step entrance All interior doors 32 inches. Wall blocking not included; Must be at least a half-bathroom on main level    
2002 NEW MEXICO "UD Package" All public and private homes                
2002 KANSAS   New single family houses, duplexes, and triplexes  Subsidized (state or federal funds) Mandatory http://www.concretechange.org/kansaslink.htm At least one no-step entrance on accessible route; minimum opening 32 inches All door openings minimum 32 inches.  36 inch wide hallways and passageways on first floor Bathroom walls reinforced Reachable outlets, switches, thermostats (if multiple controls only one has to be accessible) Department of Commerce and Housing staff
2002 GEORGIA Easy Living Home Project Single family homes, town homes and attached home of less than 4 units.   Voluntary/Certificate Based   Zero-step entrance onto the main floor All Interior doors on first floor minimum 32 inches, including bathrooms   * Trouble free usage of one bedroom, kitchen, full bathroom and living area.                             First voluntary certification program that specifies criteria in everyday construction  
2002-2004 ILLINOIS Accessible Housing Demonstration Grant Program Spec homes- private single residence constructed by a builder or individual for sale on the open market    Voluntary/Incentive Based   At least one no-step entrance with a 36 inch wide entrance door 32-inch clearance at interior passage doors Reinforced bathroom walls Environmental controls in accessible locations; electrical outlets no lower than 15 inches and light switches no higher than 48 inches.                                                                          Program gives $5,000 to each builder who incorporates four specified features into each "spec" home they build. The goal was to get builders to provide these features in at least 10 percent of the homes in a housing development  
2003 OREGON   New rental housing  Subsidized (state or federal funds) from the Oregon Housing and Community Services Department Mandatory   One zero-step entrance; 32 inch entry door Visitable common space and hallway Wider door to bathroom Environmental controls and light switches located at heights for easy access by those in wheelchairs Oregon Housing and Community Services Department
2003 KENTUCKY KHC Universal Design Standards Policy Subsidized with Kentucky Housing Corporation (KHC) financing. Subsidized with Kentucky Housing Corporation (KHC) financing. Mandatory   Exterior level platform with a minimum of 5 feet by 5 feet clear floor space All passage doors shall have a minimum net clear opening of 32 inches on grade level. Halls are 42 inches wide. All grade floor level units (and elevator accessible) units shall have a minimum of one fully universally designed bathroom; 30 inch by 48 inch clear space; wall blocking for grab bars Environmental controls shall be centered at a maximum height of 48 inches. Electrical outlets shall be centered at a minimum height of 15 inches.                                 Affordable housing subsidized with financial assistance from KHC equal to 50 percent or more of the total cost to develop housing must meet the universal design standards. Does not apply to rehabbed units or homes receiving KHC financing only through KHC's single-family mortgage loan program.  Program also requires at least one universally designed bedroom on grade level or elevator accessible and high speed internet access. Kentucky Housing Corporation
2005 NEW JERSEY New Jersey's Barrier Free Subcode  Buildings with four or more dwelling units in a single structure    Mandatory           Community Health Law Project
2006 MICHIGAN Public Act 182  Newly constructed for residential purposes and intended for occupancy by a single family, 2 families, or 3 families Housing that uses Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) funding Mandatory         Beginning January 1, 2007, at least 50% of family residential real estate that is to be newly constructed after December 31, 2006 and that is receiving funding, for type “B” dwelling or sleeping units , shall be constructed so that the family residential real estate complies with the accessibility building code.  
2006 PENNSYLVANIA     Residential Visitability Tax Credit Act (Senate Bill 1158) Voluntary http://www.pajewishcoalition.org/members/files/SB1158Summary.pdf       State Housing Finance Agency gave a group in PA money to give incentives to builders to build visitable homes. This project for VisitAbility in Pennsylvania, which is sponsored by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA), is administered by Life and Independence for Today (LIFT). Research for this project is provided by Pennsylvania State University’s Pennsylvania Housing Research Center (PHRC). The bill would authorize local governments, counties and school districts to offer a credit of up to $2,500 in real estate taxes to property owners who build or renovate their residences and include such accessibility features as zero-step entryways, wider door- and hallways, and entry-level restrooms.  Help Yourself Designs, Inc. Phone 814-375-5274 Fax # 814-375-2460 Web: HelpYourselfDesigns.com; e-mail: nick@helpyourselfdesigns.com
2007 OHIO   Newly constructed units in properties that receive tax credits   Mandatory   Provide at least one no step entrace into the unity. The required no step entrance shall be accessed via an accessible route. All doors and openings shall have a minimum net clear width of 32 inches. Provide a bathroom or half bath on the main floor with clear floor space of 30 inches by 48 inches. Competitive points are available for those who build hallways/doors throughout the entire unit, kitchens and bathrooms according to the universal design criteria set forth in the plan.  Deborah Leasure                                           Data Analysis and Planning Ohio Housing Finance Agency  614.466.7970
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