The provisions of this article are specifically
enacted to further the policy of the City of Scranton to provide that
new single-family, duplexes and triplexes which are constructed with
public funds, as herein described, be provided with minimal design
features to provide accessibility and usability for physically disabled
people.[1]
The following regulations shall be applicable
to new, single-family dwellings, duplexes, and triplexes that receive
City assistance. For purposes of this article, "City assistance" shall
mean funding or assistance from the City of Scranton, or any agent
thereof, through any of the following means: a) receipt of a building
contract or similar contractual agreement involving any City-funded
program or fund; b) disbursal under City auspices of any federal or
state construction funds such as CDBG; or c) receipt of any other
funding or financial benefit from the City of Scranton or any agency
thereof.
A.
Requirement 1. Building entrances. Applicable dwelling
units shall be designed and constructed to have at least one building
entrance on an accessible route served by a ramp complying with ANSI
A117.1-1986, Section 4.8, having a maximum slope not to exceed 12
(1:12), unless it is impractical to do so because of terrain or unusual
characteristics of the site. Such building entrance doors shall comply
with ANSI A117.1, 4.13, and shall have a minimum clear opening of
32 inches. Any entrance at the front, side or back is acceptable as
long as it is served by an accessible route such as a garage or sidewalk.
B.
Requirement 2. Interior door criteria. All dwelling
units, whether or not on an accessible route, shall be designed in
such a manner that all the doors designed to allow passage into and
within all premises are sufficiently wide to allow passage by persons
in wheelchairs. Lever hardware is required. Doors, except those serving
closets less than 15 feet square in area, within individual dwelling
units intended for user passage must provide minimum thirty-two-inch
clear opening. A two-foot-ten-inch door or standard six-foot sliding
patio door assembly is deemed sufficient to comply with this requirement;
provided, however, compliance with ANSI Section 4.13.6 (Maneuvering
Clearance at Doors) shall not be mandatory.
C.
Requirement 3. Accessible routes into and through
the dwelling unit. An accessible route shall be designed and constructed
in such a manner that a thirty-six-inch-wide level route, except at
doors, must be provided through the main floor of the unit with ramped
or beveled changes at door thresholds.
D.
Requirement 4. Wall reinforcement in bathroom. Reinforcement
in the walls shall be provided at designated locations as specified
by ANSI A117.1, Section 4 .24, Section 4.32, Figure 48 and Figure
49 so that grab bars may be installed, if needed, at a later date
without the necessity of removing portions of the existing wall.
E.
Requirement 5. Light switches, electrical outlets,
thermostats and other environmental controls. All applicable dwelling
units shall be designed and constructed in such a manner that all
premises contain light switches, electrical outlets, thermostats and
other controls in accessible locations. Controls shall meet the requirements
of ANSI A117.1, Section 4.25. Where multiple controls serve the same
elements (e.g., two remote switches for a light) only one need be
accessible.
A.
The requirements of § 187-42 Requirement 1 (Building entrances) herein may be waived by the City (Department of Permits, Licensing and Inspections) through the issuance of an "Exterior Disability Accessibility Waiver."
B.
A person requesting said waiver shall file an application
for disability accessibility waiver with the Director of the Department
of Permits, Licensing and Inspections, including all documents necessary
to prove the existence of the exemption standard herein. The application
shall demonstrate that topographical conditions on the site render
it either impossible or impracticable to comply with the provisions
of said section.
C.
If the application so demonstrates, the City shall
issue an exterior disability accessibility waiver to the applicant,
in writing, within 10 days of receipt of a completed application that
shall become an official component of any issued contract. The City
shall retain a copy of said waiver in the Department's official records
and shall also forward a copy of said waiver to the Director of the
Department of Permits, Licensing and Inspections at the time of issuance.
All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict
with this article are hereby repealed to the extent of said conflict.
Enforcement of this article shall be the responsibility
of the Department of Permits, Licensing and Inspections.
