This article (revised 8/2021) will review the basic requirements for kitchens and kitchenettes with respect to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). For a more technical version of this article please see ADA Requirements for Kitchens and Kitchenettes - Technical.

First it is important to note that the ADA does not distinguish between kitchens and kitchenettes. The photo on the right is representative of a kitchen in a commercial facility.

The ADA Standards refers to U-shaped kitchens and pass-through kitchens. The graphic below is an example of U-shaped kitchens. U-shaped kitchens require a 60 inch minimum clearance between opposing fixed elements. U-shaped kitchens are more commonly found in hotel suites and residential dwelling units.

Pass-through kitchens can be found in commercial office buildings, hotels, and residential dwelling units. Pass-through kitchens must have two entry/exit points and at least 40 inch clearances between opposing fixed elements. The graphic below is representative of a pass-through kitchen.

Most commercial building kitchens are simply a straight line counter on one wall or an L-shaped kitchen using two walls. These installations most commonly resemble pass-through kitchens. Common elements in these kitchens include sinks, paper towel dispensers, microwave oven, toaster oven, refrigerator, dishwasher, counter, cabinets, coffee maker, and an occasional range/oven. Most tables and chairs are not fixed elements and are not required to comply with the ADA Standards. The photo below is another example of an L-shaped kitchen in a commercial building.

For kitchens and kitchenettes in non-residential installations, which includes commercial buildings and hotels, the requirements for ADA compliance is based partially on whether or not there is a cook-top or range installed. In other words, the cook-top or range is the trigger for when the kitchen or kitchenette ADA laws apply.

If a cook-top or range is installed in a non-residential kitchen or kitchenette, then the requirements for clearances (u-shaped or pass-through), sink(s), storage, and appliances apply. In this design the sink must have a forward approach. If a cook-top or range is not installed in a non-residential kitchen or kitchenette, then the sink is allowed to have a side, or parallel, approach, and the clearances requirements (40/60 inches) do not apply. The requirements for operable parts, storage, and appliances still apply. Note that the requirements for kitchens and kitchenettes apply to exterior and interior installations equally. Note also that a microwave oven is not considered a cook-top, range, or conventional oven. The graphic below is representative of a non-residential kitchen with range installed.

A Residential Dwelling Unit is defined as a unit intended to be used as a residence, that is primarily long-term in nature. Residential dwelling units do not include transient lodging, inpatient medical care, licensed long-term care, and detention or correctional facilities. For residential dwelling units, the requirements for clearances (u-shaped or pass-through), sink(s), storage, and appliances still apply with some exceptions for sinks and with a requirement for a kitchen work surface. The graphic below is representative of a residential dwelling unit kitchen.

In residential dwelling units the kitchen sink cabinets can be removable to allow a forward access to the sink if the following clear floor space conditions are met:

(a) the cabinetry can be removed without removal or replacement of the fixture (sink)

(b) the finished floor extends under the cabinetry

(c) the walls behind and surrounding the cabinetry are finished

(d) as always, knee and toe clearance is available below the sink after the cabinetry is removed. The diagram below is representative of optional removable cabinets. This diagram is from the FHA Design Manual.

Kitchens in residential dwelling units also require at least one accessible kitchen work surface that is 30 inches wide minimum, 34 inches maximum above the finished floor, and designed for a forward approach. If the kitchen or kitchenette in a residential dwelling unit with communication features has an oven with a bottom hinged oven door, a work surface must be installed adjacent to the oven/range. The graphic below is representative of a work surface next to the range. Only kitchens in residential dwelling units with communication features require a work surface installation.

If a work surface is installed in a counter that is more than 24 inches deep, there may be a requirement for the width of the work surface to be 36 inches, minimum.

Similar to the sink exceptions, the kitchen work surface can have removable cabinetry below the work surface and a clear space with a forward approach must be available for the work surface including knee and toe space. No sharp or abrasive surfaces are allowed under the work surface counters.

Where sinks are provided, at least 5 percent, but no fewer than one, of each type provided in each accessible room or space should comply with the ADA Standards. So if you have two sinks, or one sink with two bowls, only one sink or one bowl must comply with the Standards.

A clear floor space complying with the ADA Standards, positioned for a forward approach, and knee and toe clearance complying with the ADA Standards should be provided. The exception for this is that a parallel approach is permitted to a kitchen sink in a space where a cook top or conventional range is not provided and to wet bars. The graphic on the left is representative of a clear floor space below a sink. The graphic below is representative of a kitchenette sink installation designed for a parallel approach.

Lavatories and sinks should be installed with the front of the higher of the rim or counter surface 34 inches maximum above the finish floor or ground. The graphic on the right is representative of this requirement. Note that there is no requirement for minimum or maximum counter height, except for the Standard regarding the height of the sink rim or counter surface. In other words, kitchen counters without sinks can be at any height above the finished floor.

Regarding Storage, at least 50 percent of shelf space in storage facilities shall comply with the ADA Standards. The ADA Standards have requirements for a clear space at the storage, reach ranges for the items stored, and requirements for operable parts in the storage installation. Cabinets above the counter typically do not comply with reach ranges. The graphic below (right) is representative of reach ranges from a parallel approach over a large object such as a counter.

A clear floor or ground space complying with the ADA Standards should be provided at each kitchen appliance. Clear floor or ground spaces shall be permitted to overlap. The graphic below shows a U-shaped kitchen with overlapping route and clear spaces. This graphic is from the FHA Design Manual.

All appliance controls shall comply with the ADA Standards except that appliance doors and door latching devices shall not be required to comply with the ADA Standards for operable parts and bottom-hinged appliance doors, when in the open position, are not required to comply with ADA Standards for reach ranges.

A clear floor or ground space should be positioned adjacent to the dishwasher door. The dishwasher door, in the open position, should not obstruct the clear floor or ground space for the dishwasher or the sink. The graphic below is representative of this Standard. This graphic is from the FHA Design Manual. Note that the space needed for the dishwasher and a clear space is approximately 64 inches. This is a recommendation but not a requirement of the ADA.

A better option is to have the dishwasher installed next to a sink that is set up for a forward approach. That way the clear space for the sink can be used to load the dishwasher. See the graphic below.

Regarding ranges or cook-tops, where a forward approach is provided, the clear floor or ground space shall provide knee and toe clearance complying with the ADA Standards. Where knee and toe space is provided, the underside of the cooktop shall be insulated or otherwise configured to prevent burns, abrasions, or electrical shock. The location of controls shall not require reaching across burners. The graphic on the right is a conventional range with the controls on the front. The graphic below is representative of a cook-top with a forward approach.

Note that a conventional range will require two clear spaces, one to access the burners on top of the appliance, and one to access the oven. A forward approach to a conventional range is not recommended.

Ovens, including range ovens, must also comply with the ADA Standards. Side-hinged door ovens should have the work surface required by the ADA Standards positioned adjacent to the latch side of the oven door. Bottom-hinged door ovens should have the work surface required by the ADA Standards positioned adjacent to one side of the door. Ovens should have controls on the front panels. The graphic below is representative of this installation where a work surface is provided to the right of the range.

Combination refrigerators and freezers should have at least 50 percent of the freezer space 54 inches maximum above the finish floor or ground. The clear floor or ground space should be positioned for a parallel approach to the space dedicated to a refrigerator/freezer with the centerline of the clear floor or ground space offset 24 inches maximum from the centerline of the dedicated space. The offset is included to provide maneuvering space at the door to pull the door(s) open. The diagram below is representative of maneuvering space when the refrigerator is approached from the latch side.

The graphic below is representative of the rule to limit the refrigerator/freezer offset to a maximum of 24 inches from the center of the appliance.

One issue that may occur in kitchens or kitchenettes is the location of some electrical outlets. Counters should not be greater than 24 inches deep to allow access to the outlets above/behind the counter. Outlets located in the corners of kitchen or kitchenette counters are difficult to reach because they will be more than 24 inches from the front of the counter when measured from a wheelchair. The graphic below is representative. If other outlets are available on this portion of the counter, this corner outlet is OK. If other outlets are not available on this portion of the counter, this design is not accessible. The graphic is from the FHA Design Manual.

For a more technical version of this article please see ADA Requirements for Kitchens and Kitchenettes - Technical.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………If you observe a building or kitchen/kitchenette that is not ADA compliant and you would like to know how to proceed, please see the link at What To Do When A Building Is Not ADA Compliant or Accessible.

ADA Inspections Nationwide, LLC, offers ADA/ABA/FHA accessibility compliance inspections for buildings and facilities, as applicable to the different laws, and expert witness services with respect to ADA/ABA/FHA laws for building owners, tenants and managers. Also, ADAIN offers consulting for home modifications as a CAPS consultant for people wishing to age in place in their homes. For a complete list of services please see ADAIN Services.

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