Opinion: Calculating 20% costs of alterations

Inquiry: 

97-22A

Subject: 

Calculating 20% costs of alterations

Code:

1994 UBC Appendix Section 1111.1.2

Submitted By:

Building Codes and Standards Division

Approved By:

Thomas R. Joachim, State Building Official

Issue Date: 

February 24, 1997 

Question:  

Are all costs associated with the alteration of an area of primary function considered in determining the additional 20 percent for the accessible route? 

Answer:

Yes. All costs directly associated with the alteration of the primary function area are to be considered when calculating the 20% additional obligation. Costs for non-accessibility elements such as heating, cooling, electrical, etc. shall not be deducted from the alteration costs for purposes of determining the amount to be applied to the accessible route.

When unrelated work is combined into a single project, costs of the portion(s) of the project which are not associated to the area of primary function may be deleted when calculating the 20% cost, e.g., costs for curb and gutter or landscaping work done at the same time, or under the same permit as a remodel of an area of primary function, but unrelated to the area of primary function, may be deleted.

Approved by Building Codes and Standards Access Committee December 12 ,1996.