Chapter 9 covers built-in furnishings and fixtures — the tables, counters, benches, checkout aisles, and food service lines that people interact with inside buildings. These elements are frequently cited in ADA complaints, especially in restaurants, retail stores, and service counters where a wheelchair user must interact at counter height.
Reading level📄 Plain language + legal text
CurrentlyStandard
Accessible tables, counters, and work surfaces in restaurants, cafeterias, libraries, and workplaces must allow a wheelchair user to pull up comfortably:
Height: 28 to 34 inches above the floor
Knee clearance: 27 inches high minimum, 17 inches deep, and 30 inches wide under the surface
Toe clearance: 9 inches high, 17 inches deep under the surface
At least 5% of dining and work surfaces must be accessible (per §226↗ scoping).
Example: A restaurant with 20 tables needs at least one with proper height and clearance — not just "any table without a booth."
Accessible Dining & Work Surfaces
Key numbers — Accessible Dining & Work Surfaces
28″–34″Dining/work surface height range
5%Minimum accessible dining positions
27″Knee clearance height at front edge
Accessible benches in dressing rooms, locker rooms, and other areas must meet these specs:
Size: 24 inches wide minimum, 48 inches long minimum
Seat height: 17 to 19 inches above the floor
Back support: Must extend from 2 inches above the seat to 18 inches above the seat
Structural strength: Must support 250 pounds of force
Clear floor space: 30 × 48 inches positioned at the end of the bench for a parallel transfer from a wheelchair
Accessible Benches
Key numbers — Accessible Benches
17″–19″Seat height (matches wheelchair for transfer)
250 lbsMust support this force in any direction
24″×48″Minimum bench dimensions
Counters where business is transacted must have an accessible portion:
Height: 36 inches maximum above the floor
Length: 36 inches minimum, extending the same depth as the sales/service counter top
Clear floor space: 30 × 48 inches for either forward or parallel approach
Example: A hotel check-in desk at 42 inches is too high. A lowered section of at least 36 inches must be provided so a wheelchair user can interact face-to-face, sign papers, and exchange cards or keys.
Counters & Checkout Aisles
Key numbers — Counters & Checkout Aisles
36″Checkout aisle width and max sales counter height
28″–34″Service counter height where customers sit
ContinuousTray slides must run the full food service line
At least one checkout aisle in each checkout area must be accessible:
Width: 36 inches minimum clear width
Counter height: 38 inches maximum at the checkout counter
Self-checkout: At least one must be on an accessible route with controls within reach range
Where multiple checkout aisles are provided (grocery stores, big box retailers), the scoping table requires accessible aisles based on the total number.
Cafeteria-style service lines, buffets, and salad bars must be accessible:
Tray slides: If provided, must be at 28 to 34 inches above the floor and continuous along the line
Self-service shelves: Must be within reach range (48 inches max from the floor)
Width: The queue must be at least 36 inches wide
Example: A cafeteria buffet where the sneeze guard creates a reach depth of over 20 inches makes it impossible for a wheelchair user to serve themselves. The counter design must allow a forward reach within the limits of §308↗.
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