This guide explains requirements in the ADAStandards for clear floor or ground space andturning space. Clearances are required at accessible elements, fixtures,and controls so that people with disabilities, including those who usewheelchairs, can approach and use them. The standards also addressmaneuvering space for wheelchair turning. Provisions throughout thestandards reference these basic “building block” requirements.
Notational tips for users of screen reading software follow. In this document ″ indicates inches and ′ indicates feet. Some images are paired with visually hidden notes.  These annotations are prefaced with begin and end image notes.
Clear Floor or Ground Space
[§305]
Sufficient clear floor or ground space is required at accessiblecontrols, operable parts, drinking fountains, lavatories and sinks, ATMsand fare machines, appliances, beds, and other elements. Provisions forthese elements apply the clear floor or ground specifications in 305.
Clear floor space is required at each accessible element, including storage cabinets, drinking fountains and other fixtures, and electrical outlets. Clear floor spaces can overlap where elements are in close proximity.
Position
[§305.5]
At most elements, clear floor or ground space can be positioned foreither a forward or a side approach. For better usability, a forwardapproach is required at certain elements, including dining and worksurfaces, drinking fountains, lavatories, and most sinks. At otherelements, a side approach is allowed. A side approach is typicallyprovided or required at sales and service counters, beds, and mostappliances.
Forward Approach 
Side Approach 
Centering Centering the clear floor or ground space on elements is often advisable but is only required at drinking fountains, kitchen work surfaces, and washers and dryers.
Surface and Size
[§305.2]
Clear floor spaces must meet requirements for ground and floor surfaces, including criteria for firmness, stability, and slip resistance. They must be free of level changes and not slope more than 1:48.
The minimum size (30″ by 48″) applies whether the space is positioned for forward or side approaches. Additional space is required when the space is confined on three sides and is obstructed for more than half the depth, such as when elements are recessed in alcoves.
Approach and Maneuvering Clearance
[§305.6]
Where the space is obstructed on both sides for more than half the depth, additional clearance is required for maneuvering. Accessible routes must connect to the unobstructed side of the space.
Knee and Toe Space
[§305.4]
Objects that provide space for toes or knees can overlap a portion ofthe clear floor space. Knee and toe space allows a closer approach toelements and reduces the reach to operable parts. It is required at someelements, such as drinking fountains and lavatories, so that peopleusing wheelchairs can pull up to them.
Toe Space 
Objects that provide clearance for toes can overlap a portion of the clear floor space.
Knee Space 
Objects that provide clearance for knees and toes can overlap a greater portion of the clear floor space (up to a depth of 25″).
Knee and toe space must be at least 30″ wide and up to 25″ deep measured to the leading edge of the clear floor space. The specifications allow space for plumbing, enclosures, and supports outside the minimum clearances. No object can protrude into the required clearances (other than the dip of the overflow at lavatories and sinks).
Knee and Toe Space Depth
Where knee and toe space is required, it must be at least 17″ deep. In all cases, the minimum depth may be further determined by the required reach to operable parts served by the clear floor space.
Knee and toe space is required below drinking fountains, lavatories and sinks, dining and work surfaces, and those sales and service counters that provide a forward approach.
Obstructed Reach and Depth
At any element, the knee and toe space must be as deep as the required reach to operable parts. This facilitates access since a forward reach does not extend far beyond the toes. Both the reach depth and the knee and toe space depth are limited to 25″ measured from the leading edge of obstructions. Space beyond this depth is not usable.
Knee and Toe Clearances
Where knee and toe space is required at an element, it must be at least 17″ deep. Beyond a depth of 8″ measured from the leading edge, the 27″ minimum high knee clearance can reduce 18″ (to the 9″ toe space) over a 3″ span.
When the knee and toe depth exceeds the 17″ minimum, the additional space must provide full knee clearance at least 27″ high.
Turning Space
[§304]
Turning space is required in these accessible rooms andspaces:
- toilet and bathing facilities
- dressing, fitting, and locker rooms
- transient lodging guest rooms
- dwelling units (all rooms on an accessible route)
- patient bedrooms
- holding and housing cells
- saunas and steam rooms
- raised courtroom stations served by ramps or lifts with entry ramps
- certain recreation spaces (amusem*nt ride load/ unload areas, fishing piers and platforms, play components, and shooting facilities)
Space for turning is also required along accessible routes where a 180degree turn around an obstruction less than 48” wide is required(§403.5.2).
Clear Width at 180 Degree Turn Around a Narrow Obstruction
Maneuvering for Turns
Maneuvering for 180 degree turns varies by person and the mobility aidused. An efficient way of turning using a manual wheelchair is to turnthe wheels in opposite directions for a pivoting turn. Some power chairsalso may permit tight circular turns.
A three-point turn is common when using scooters and other motorizeddevices that have a larger turning radius.
Size
[§304.3]
Turning space can be provided in the shape of a circle or a “T”. Elementswith knee and toe space can overlap a portion of the turning space.
Circular Turning Space
T-Shaped Turning Space
T-shaped space can be configured for approach on any segment (stem oreither arm).
Door Swing and Other Space Requirements
[§304.4]
Doors can swing into the turning space. The turning space can overlapother space requirements, including clear floor space required atelements and fixtures.
Common Questions
Is clear floor space required to be centered on elements?
The standards require the clear floor space to be centered on wheelchairaccessible drinking fountains (forward approach), kitchen work surfaces,(forward approach), and washers and dryers (side approach). Centeringthe clear floor space on other elements is often advisable, but notrequired.
Can doors swing into required clear floor or ground space?
Doors cannot swing into required clear floor or ground spaces in thesespecific instances:
- clear floor space at controls for automatic and power assisted doors and gates (404.3.5)
- fixture clearances in toilet and bathing facilities (except those that are single user where wheelchair space beyond the door swing is provided) (603.2.3)
- clear floor space required at benches in saunas and steam rooms (612.2)
- clear floor space required at tactile signs, which must be beyond the arc of any door swing between the closed position and 45 degree open position (703.4.2)
- dressing, fitting, or locker rooms unless wheelchair space is provided beyond the arc of the door swing (803.3)
In other locations, doors can swing into clear floor or ground space,although locating door swing outside required clearances is advisable.
Can doors swing into turning space?
Yes, doors can swing into turning space.
Can clear floor/ground space or turning space overlap other space requirements?
Yes, clear floor or ground spaces and turning space can overlap otherrequired clearances, including other clear floor spaces, doormaneuvering clearances, and fixture clearances.
Is turning space required in all rooms and spaces?
No. Turning space is required in certain spaces, such as toilet andbathing facilities, dressing and fitting rooms, and transient lodgingguest rooms. Unless addressed by a specific requirement for turningspace in the standards, other spaces are not required to provide them,including lobbies, offices, and meeting rooms.
