California ADA sign requirements (CBC 11B)
California applies its own accessibility code, CBC Chapter 11B, which follows the federal rules and adds to them. The additions sign makers meet most: geometric door symbols on restrooms, white-on-blue reflective parking signs with "Minimum Fine $250", an 80 inch height for parking signs in walkways, and a tow-away sign at the lot.
Restroom door symbols (11B-703.7.2.6)
On top of the tactile wall sign every restroom needs, California requires a geometric symbol at the entrance to each toilet and bathing room. Where there is a door, the symbol goes on it.
| Room | Symbol | CBC section |
|---|---|---|
| Women's | circle, 12 in diameter | 11B-703.7.2.6.2 |
| Men's | equilateral triangle, 12 in sides, vertex up | 11B-703.7.2.6.1 |
| Unisex | triangle inscribed in a 12 in circle | 11B-703.7.2.6.3 |
| Thickness | 1/4 in | 11B-703.7.2.6.1–.3 |
| Color | contrasting with the door, light/dark | 11B-703.7.2.6.1–.3 |
| Height | 58–60 in to the centerline of the symbol | 11B-703.7.2.6 |
| Position on the door | within 1 in of the door's vertical centerline | 11B-703.7.2.6 |
| Edges | eased 1/16 in min or chamfered 1/8 in max | 11B-703.7.2.6.4 |
| Vertices | radiused 1/8 in to 1/4 in | 11B-703.7.2.6.4 |
In the unisex symbol, the triangle's vertices sit 1/4 inch or less from the circle's edge, vertex up. The door symbols are in addition to the tactile room sign on the latch-side wall, not a replacement for it.
Parking signs (11B-502.6, 11B-502.8)
| Requirement | California rule | CBC section |
|---|---|---|
| Symbol | ISA in white on blue | 11B-502.6 |
| Van spaces | "van accessible" on the sign or an added sign | 11B-502.6 |
| Height | 60 in min to bottom; 80 in min in a circulation path | 11B-502.6 |
| Finish and size | reflectorized, 70 sq in min | 11B-502.6.1 |
| Fine | "Minimum Fine $250" on or below the ISA | 11B-502.6.2 |
| Location | visible from each space; beside it, at its head end, or on the wall at its end | 11B-502.6.3 |
| Pavement marking | ISA at least 36 × 36 in in the space | 11B-502.6.4 |
| Tow-away sign size | 17 × 22 in min | 11B-502.8.1 |
| Tow-away sign lettering | 1 in min | 11B-502.8.2 |
The tow-away sign is posted either conspicuously at each entrance to an off-street parking facility or next to the accessible spaces where it can be seen from each one. Its wording is fixed by 11B-502.8.2: unauthorized vehicles parked in designated accessible spaces without distinguishing placards or special license plates will be towed away at the owner's expense, and towed vehicles may be reclaimed at a stated address or by calling a stated number. The blanks are filled in as a permanent part of the sign, not with a marker.
Exit and stair signs
California's version of the building code sets tactile exit sign wording by door (CBC 1013.4): EXIT at grade-level exterior exit doors; EXIT STAIR DOWN, EXIT STAIR UP, EXIT RAMP DOWN or EXIT RAMP UP where a door leads to a grade-level exit by stair or ramp; EXIT ROUTE where it leads through an exit enclosure or passageway, and at doors from rooms into exit corridors; and TO EXIT at horizontal exits. It also requires raised-character and braille floor identification signs at each landing in enclosed stairways of buildings two or more stories, beside the door on the latch side, with a raised star at the exit discharge level.
California inspectors check the door symbol height and centering with a tape, and the "Minimum Fine $250" line is the parking detail most often missing on signs bought out of state. Keep a California version of your restroom and parking templates separate from the federal ones.
This page covers the sign rules shops meet most. Chapter 11B has others, and cities can add local requirements. The Chapter 11B text is published by the California Building Standards Commission.
Questions
What are the California restroom door sign requirements?
California requires a geometric symbol on the door of each toilet and bathing room, in addition to the tactile wall sign: a 12 inch circle for women, a 12 inch equilateral triangle with a vertex pointing up for men, and a triangle inscribed in a circle for unisex rooms, all 1/4 inch thick, contrasting with the door, centered at 58 to 60 inches above the floor and within 1 inch of the door's vertical centerline (CBC 11B-703.7.2.6).
What does a California accessible parking sign need?
The International Symbol of Accessibility in white on blue, reflectorized, at least 70 square inches, with "Minimum Fine $250" on it or on a sign below, "van accessible" on van spaces, and at least 60 inches to the bottom of the sign, or 80 inches where it stands in a circulation path (CBC 11B-502.6).
What is the California tow-away sign?
A sign at least 17 by 22 inches, in 1 inch minimum letters, posted at each entrance to the parking facility or next to the accessible spaces, stating that unauthorized vehicles in accessible spaces without placards or special plates will be towed at the owner's expense, with the address and phone number where towed vehicles can be reclaimed filled in permanently (CBC 11B-502.8).
Which edition of the California Building Code applies?
The 2025 California Building Code, which took effect on January 1, 2026. The sign sections summarized here read the same as in the 2022 edition. The edition that applies to a given project is the one it was permitted under.
- California Building Standards Commission: the California Building Standards Code
- Access Board guide, Chapter 7: Signs
- 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design (U.S. Access Board)
Last checked against the source text 2026-09-25. Section numbers refer to the 2010 ADA Standards unless marked otherwise.