ADA Sink, Bathroom and Kitchen Requirements
Use this guide to plan an ADA compliant restroom, kitchen or breakroom and check the installation before inspection. Every dimension comes from the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design, with the section number beside it, and each requirement links to Goodtime Medical cabinets built for it.
ADA sink requirements (bathroom and kitchen)
Both rooms start with the sink. The same rules apply to a restroom lavatory and a kitchen sink (§606), with one difference: a kitchen or breakroom without a cooktop or range may use a side (parallel) approach instead of knee space (§606.2 Exception 1).
| Requirement | Dimension | Section |
|---|---|---|
| Height to rim or counter, whichever is higher | 34″ max | §606.3 |
| Knee clearance height | 27″ min | §306.3 |
| Knee clearance depth at 27″ high | 8″ min | §306.3 |
| Knee clearance depth at 9″ high | 11″ min | §306.3 |
| Toe clearance height | 9″ | §306.2 |
| Total depth under the sink | 17″ min – 25″ max | §306.2 |
| Width of knee and toe space | 30″ min | §306 |
| Clear floor space in front | 30″ wide × 48″ deep | §305.3 |
| Pipes under the sink | Insulated or covered | §606.5 |
| Faucet | One hand, 5 lb max, no twisting | §606.4, §309 |
ADA sink inspection checklist
- Sink rim or counter 34″ max above the floor
- Knee space 27″ high, 30″ wide, at least 8″ deep at the top
- Toe space 9″ high; 17″–25″ total depth under the sink
- 30″ × 48″ clear floor space, approach unobstructed
- No cabinet, panel or trash can blocking the knee space
- Supply and drain pipes insulated or enclosed; no sharp edges underneath
- Faucet usable with one hand, no tight grasping or twisting, 5 lb of force or less
Bathroom requirements under the ADA
ADA bathroom dimensions at a glance
- Vanity / lavatory: 34″ max high with open knee space; at least one per accessible toilet room, outside any toilet stall §606, §213.3.4
- Toilet: centerline 16″–18″ from the side wall, seat 17″–19″ high, 60″ × 56″ clearance §604
- Grab bars: 33″–36″ high; side bar 42″ min, rear bar 36″ min §604.5, §609
- Turning space: 60″ circle or T-shape within a 60″ square §304
- Mirror: bottom edge 40″ max over a sink or counter §603.3
- Door: 32″ clear opening; hardware 34″–48″ high §404
Choosing an ADA vanity
Standard vanities fail because the cabinet sits exactly where a wheelchair user’s knees need to go. A wall-mounted ADA vanity keeps the floor open under the sink at the 34″ height, and the suite and double-sink versions add storage or a second sink without giving up the knee space.
Single-sink ADA vanities — 34″ high with knee clearance:
Need storage next to the sink? The sink section keeps the knee space; drawers or shelves sit beside it:
Two sinks? Only one bowl of a multi-bowl sink needs knee space (§606.2 Exception 7), but separate double vanities give both users room:
Porcelain tops with an integrated bowl — the overflow dip is allowed inside the knee space (§606.2 Exception 6):
Exam rooms and clinics — floating vanities with drawers and storage:
Toilet and grab bars
| Requirement | Dimension | Section |
|---|---|---|
| Toilet centerline from side wall | 16″–18″ | §604.2 |
| Clearance around the toilet | 60″ wide × 56″ deep | §604.3 |
| Seat height | 17″–19″ | §604.4 |
| Side wall grab bar | 42″ min long, 12″ max from rear wall, to 54″ min from rear wall | §604.5.1 |
| Rear wall grab bar | 36″ min long; 12″ one side of centerline, 24″ the other | §604.5.2 |
| Grab bar height | 33″–36″ to top | §609.4 |
| Grab bar diameter / wall space | 1¼″–2″ / 1½″ | §609.2, §609.3 |
| Clear space above grab bar | 12″ min | §609.3 |
| Toilet paper dispenser | 7″–9″ in front of bowl; outlet 15″–48″ high | §604.7 |
| Flush control | On the open side | §604.6 |
Turning space and doors
The room needs a 60″ turning circle or a T-shaped turning space within a 60″ square with 36″ wide arms (§304). It can overlap the fixture clearances and the knee space under the vanity. The door may swing into the turning space but not into the clear space at the toilet or sink (§603.2). Doors need a 32″ clear opening, hardware 34″–48″ high that works without tight grasping, and no more than 5 lb of opening force on interior doors (§404).
Mirrors, dispensers and accessories
| Element | Dimension | Section |
|---|---|---|
| Mirror over a sink or counter (bottom edge) | 40″ max | §603.3 |
| Other mirrors (bottom edge) | 35″ max | §603.3 |
| Soap, towel and glove dispensers, coat hooks | 15″–48″ reach range | §308, §603.4 |
| Shelves | 40″–48″ high | §603.4 |
Keep dispensers and trash cans out of the 30″ × 48″ space in front of the vanity, and within reach from a seated position.
ADA bathroom checklist
- ADA vanity: 34″ max, knee space open, pipes covered, lever or automatic faucet
- Toilet 16″–18″ from side wall, seat 17″–19″, 60″ × 56″ clear
- Side grab bar 42″ min, rear grab bar 36″ min, 33″–36″ high, 12″ clear above
- 60″ turning space; door doesn’t swing into fixture clearances
- Mirror bottom 40″ max over the vanity
- Dispensers, hooks and controls within 15″–48″
Kitchen and breakroom requirements under the ADA
ADA kitchen dimensions at a glance
- Sink: 34″ max with knee space — or a side approach where there’s no cooktop or range §606
- Clearance between counters: 40″ min pass-through, 60″ min U-shaped (when a cooktop or range is provided) §804.2
- Work surface (dwelling units): one 30″ wide section, 34″ max, with knee space §804.3
- Storage: at least 50% of shelf space within 15″–48″ §804.5, §811
- Appliances: 30″ × 48″ clear floor space at each; controls usable with one hand §804.6
When a kitchen or breakroom has to comply
Kitchens and kitchenettes in accessible spaces — office breakrooms, staff lounges, clinic and school kitchenettes — must comply with §804 (§212.2). At least 5%, and never fewer than one, of each type of sink in an accessible room must comply with §606 (§212.3), so a breakroom with one sink needs an accessible sink. Sinks used only by employees for work, like a restaurant prep sink, are exempt (§203.9).
ADA kitchen sink base
The simplest way to meet the sink rule is an ADA kitchen base cabinet with an open knee-space sink section at the accessible height. Even in a breakroom where a side approach is allowed, the U.S. Access Board recommends a forward approach where it’s feasible.
Clearances between counters
Measured between the most projecting faces of opposing base cabinets, countertops, appliances or walls (§804.2). Kitchens with no cooktop or conventional range are exempt from these layout clearances, but every sink, appliance and storage area still needs its own 30″ × 48″ clear floor space.
Counters and work surfaces
In accessible dwelling units, at least one 30″ wide section of counter must be 34″ max high (or adjustable from 29″ to 36″) with knee and toe space (§804.3). Elsewhere, at least 5% of work surfaces used by the public must be 28″–34″ high with knee space (§226.1, §902). Our ADA kitchen base cabinets use an extra-deep 25½″ laminate countertop for more usable work surface than a standard 24″ deep counter.
Accessible kitchen storage
At least half of the shelf space must be within the 15″–48″ reach range (44″ max when reaching over a 20″–25″ deep counter), with hardware usable with one hand (§804.5, §811, §308). Upper wall cabinets usually start above 48″, so most accessible storage has to come from base cabinets and drawers.
Appliances
| Appliance | Requirement | Section |
|---|---|---|
| All appliances | 30″ × 48″ clear floor space at each; controls meet §309 | §804.6.1–.2 |
| Dishwasher | Open door can’t block the clear space at the dishwasher or sink | §804.6.3 |
| Range or cooktop | No reaching across burners; shield any knee space underneath | §804.6.4 |
| Oven | Controls on the front panel; work surface beside the door | §804.6.5 |
| Refrigerator / freezer | 50% of freezer space 54″ max high | §804.6.6 |
| Microwave, coffee maker | Controls within 15″–48″, usable with one hand | §308, §309 |
A microwave mounted high above the counter can put its controls out of reach from a wheelchair. If it’s the microwave people rely on, plan for one at counter height.
ADA kitchen and breakroom checklist
- Sink 34″ max with knee space (or a side approach if there’s no cooktop or range)
- Pipes under the sink insulated or covered; faucet usable with one hand
- 30″ × 48″ clear floor space at the sink, each appliance and the storage
- 40″ pass-through or 60″ U-shaped clearance where a cooktop or range is provided
- At least half the shelf space between 15″ and 48″
- Microwave and appliance controls within reach
Frequently asked questions
What height should an ADA sink be?No higher than 34″ above the floor to the top of the rim or counter, whichever is higher — for both bathroom and kitchen sinks (§606.3).
How much knee clearance is required under an ADA sink?27″ high and 30″ wide minimum, at least 8″ deep at the 27″ height and 11″ deep at 9″, with toe space below 9″ and 17″–25″ of total depth (§306).
Can an ADA bathroom vanity have a cabinet under the sink?Not where it blocks the knee space in a public restroom. Wall-mounted ADA vanities keep the floor open under the sink and put drawers or shelves beside it.
How far from the wall should an ADA toilet be?16″ to 18″ from the side wall to the toilet centerline (§604.2).
What height are ADA grab bars?33″ to 36″ above the floor to the top of the bar (§609.4).
Does an office breakroom sink have to be ADA compliant?Generally yes. Breakrooms are usually treated as common-use spaces, so at least one sink must comply. Without a cooktop or range, a side approach is allowed instead of knee space.
How wide does an ADA kitchen need to be?40″ minimum between opposing counters in a pass-through kitchen, and 60″ in a U-shaped kitchen, when a cooktop or range is provided (§804.2).
Do upper kitchen cabinets have to be accessible?At least 50% of total shelf space must be within the 15″–48″ reach range; it can come from base cabinets and drawers (§804.5).
Are there “ADA certified” cabinets?No federal agency certifies products as ADA compliant. Cabinets are designed to meet the requirements; the installation and room layout make the space compliant.
Downloads and sources
- ADA sink clearance diagram (PDF)
- 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design, U.S. Department of Justice (PDF)
- U.S. Access Board, Guide to the ADA Standards: Lavatories and Sinks
This guide summarizes the 2010 ADA Standards for general information and is not legal advice. Requirements depend on your project’s scope, building type and local code — many states adopt stricter rules — so confirm with your architect or local building official.
