36' CA code/ doorway/ walkways Need help now!!

17 years ago

Ok I am not sure if we have a major problem. our house was built in the 1950's In California, all doorways/walkways are 30".. We didn't have to change any exiting doorways, but the walkway in the kitchen where our cooktop island ends has to be 36" from the wall for handicap code. WE also have a breakfast bar and that is between our kitchen and living area. The open walk area also I assume should be 36" inches. We measured today and we are off by 1 1/4 " on the breakfast bar. Does anyone know if this is true on every walk way entry /way or just inside the kitchen.

It doesn't make sense, but we were told where our cooktop island is it had to be 36" or it won't pass inspection. Now our existing doorways are 30" so it doesn't make sense, as you cannot enter the kitchen through any other door.

Anyone been through this before . We are trying to figure out how to get a 1 1/4 inch extra incase they say we have to have 36" in the breakfast bar area as well. this maybe a problem because we have 4 flutes w/ corbels to have for the countertop that will hang over 10".. so we need the corbels for the strength

help!

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Comments (5)

kitchenredo2
17 years ago
I would go to your jurisdiction's website and read the code. I am not in CA so I don't know if it would be the county or the state. Or you could call the jurisdiction and ask them.
msgreatdeals
17 years ago
I'm in CA and my home was build in 1990. The door way from the dining room to the kitchen is just under 35". On the other side of the kitchen is the family room and the opening is 48". With the remodel, that opening will be 42". Hope this helps you.
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palimpsest
17 years ago
In my jurisdiction if you are not changing something structurally, it is grandfathered. If you don't have the dimensions to work with, they don't expect you to pull them out of thin air. You are not changing the kitchen to add the inches, so where would they come from?

It may be more stringent where you are. Is there any way you could leave the corbels off or put something smaller there temporarily to get through the inspection and change it after?
User
17 years ago
This is something you need to talk to your local codes inspector to for clarification. They are the ones who will do the inspection, and approve or deny your project. It's best to get the info straight from the source.
rosema12
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks all the countertop installer was here today along w/ the cabinet installers. we had to change the island and lose the two middle corbels. disappointed but we were afraid to do anything temporary and if it didn't pass then we'd have to start all over. WE had thought just getting the slab and just putting it on top temporarily and maybe they'd wouldn't care about the 36" inch there, but then we are also replacing carpet there etc so we figured rather than take any chances lose the two middle corbels. we have 3 cabinets and we had 2 corbels on each end and 2 in the middle between each cabinet. Sad to see them go as they are beautiful flutes w/ corbels but since the chairs will be in front you won't see them as much but they were gorgeous. this way we took those out now we have 42".