How much room needed between a toilet facing a bathtub

last month

last modified: last month

Need to replace a toilet in a rental unit downstairs on the main level of our home. Most toilets are longer these days. For example, the elongated version of a Toto Drake toilet, would leave only 19" between the toilet front and the side of the bathtub. The smaller Toto Drake would leave 22" to the tub wall. The existing toilet which uses a lot more water is 23.5" to the tub wall. I personally, prefer the elongated toilets, but I don't think we have enough space in this location. Thoughts?

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3onthetree

last month

If possible one solution is to install an offset flange. That might gain enough for a 21" clear minimum to tub from an elongated bowl. Here with an example fixture you can see the dimension between a 10" rough-in and a 12" rough-in:

Also FWIW the example dimensional sketch in another comment is incorrect, there is no requirement for 24" clear to the side of a tub.

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Comments (9)

millworkman
last month
" For the distance between a toilet and a tub, code generally requires 15 inches from the toilet's centerline to the tub's edge, with 30 inches center-to-center between fixtures and at least 21 inches of clear space in front of the toilet for usability, though local codes (like IRC/IPC) and specific layouts (e.g., toilet in front of tub) vary, so always verify with your local building department for exact rules. "
Akimbo
Original Author
last month
last modified: last month
I should have mentioned that the toilet is perpendicular to the tub, i.e when one is on the toilet, they are facing the tub. The distance from the front of the toilet to the tub's side wall would be only 22" with a new non-elongated toilet.
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Phyllis
last month
Akimbo thanked Phyllis
millworkman
last month
" I should have mentioned that the toilet faces the bathtub "

Be a lot simpler if you just attached even a hand drawn floor plan with dimensions.
Akimbo thanked millworkman
Akimbo
Original Author
last month
See above.
coastal_vibe
last month
last modified: last month
The 2021 International Residential Code (IRC) requires a minimum 21 inches of clear space in front of a toilet, measured from the front of the bowl to any wall or obstruction.

OTOH, local code may be more restrictive. California requires a minimum clearance of 24 inches in front of toilet, tub, vanity.

The recommended minimum floor space is at least 30 inches from the front edge of all fixtures to any opposite bath fixture, wall, or obstacle.
3onthetree
last month
California follows UPC instead of IPC. The 24" clear is in front of toilets.
Akimbo
Original Author
last month
Thanks for all your comments. The toilet is now installed.