Restaurants are considered places of public accommodation and they fall under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). As a restaurant owner, you may be wondering if you are required to retrofit your restaurant to meet ADA standards. You may also be considering a restaurant remodel or a significant improvement to your property. The licensed contractors at Division 9 Commercial Construction are available to assist you with any ADA questions.
What is the Americans with Disabilities Act?
The Americans with Disabilities Act requires all public access buildings built after January 26, 1993, to meet ADA standards. Any structures built before this cut-off date do not have to be retrofitted to meet current ADA standards..
When must I comply with ADA?
If you are considering a renovation or building a remodel onto the property, you must comply with current ADA standards. Any significant improvement to the primary function areas of the property triggers ADA compliance. A primary function area of a restaurant would include the dining halls and event rooms. The kitchen areas and restrooms may not be considered primary function areas. A kitchen remodel, for example, may not need to comply with ADA standards. Our contractors at Division 9 Commercial Construction can advise you whether your renovation or addition needs to comply with ADA standards. Our licensed contractors can quickly make the required renovations if you need ADA alterations.
Examples of restaurant ADA alterations
If you are considering a remodel of your dining area, you may need to make the building more handicap accessible. This may include adding elevator access, a ramp leading up to the door, or installing a handicap door opener. You are required to make any reasonable accommodations to make the building accessible to individuals with disabilities. If an ADA alteration is not structurally possible to the building or too costly to perform, the ADA does make exceptions on a case-by-case basis. However, only a licensed contractor at Division 9 Commercial Construction should make the determination if a building modification is not structurally possible.
Contact Us
If you are ready to complete a remodel of your restaurant, contact Division 9 Commercial Construction at 800-991-4121. Not only can we complete your commercial remodel, but we can also assist you with retrofitting your restaurant to meet current ADA standards. Our contractors are skilled in the latest ADA standards and can advise you on the best route to go.