Design Criteria

  1. All homes listed with the AHF as "Accessible" (A) will meet these requirements, which have been taken from the Design Requirements of the Fair Housing Accessible Guidelines
    1. At least one no-step entry with a slope no greater then 1 in 12. Door threshold ½" high maximum, or ¾" high with bevels no steeper than 1 in 2. All doors on the main level will have a minimum 32" clear opening, preferably 36" doors with a 34" clear opening.
    2. Halls at least 36" wide.
    3. All controls, switches, and electrical outlets to be a maximum of 48" and minimum of 15" above the floor. Above counters, switches should be 44" above the floor. A 30"x48" clear floor space should be provided for forward or parallel approach at each control.
    4. All bathrooms on the main floor will have reinforced walls to allow future installation of grab bars. Bathrooms will have a 30"x48" clear floor space by each fixture. Spaces can overlap each other, except spaces cannot overlap the door swing. Showers will be a minimum of 36"x36". Toilet will be a minimum of 18" from the centerline to one sidewall or fixture, and 15" from the centerline to the other side.
    5. Kitchens will provide a 30"x48" clear floor space by each appliance or fixture. The minimum clearance between opposing base cabinets is 40". The minimum clearance for a U-shaped kitchen is 60" between base cabinets.
  2. Any home will be considered "fully accessible" that meets or exceeds these standards and has at least one bedroom on the main floor (or elevator/lift to the floor with bedrooms). A home will be considered "visitable" if it meets the standards for the doors, halls, and at least one bathroom on the entry level.
  3. A builder must have at least one home plan or be willing and able to modify a current plan that meets or exceeds these standards to be listed with AHF.
  4. Any builder, developer or community that is 100% "visitable" AND at least 30% "fully accessible" will be a GOLD STAR member of the Accessible Homes Foundation.

Printable Version

Additional Resources

Visitability information:

Visitability videos:

Universal Design information:

Home Renovation information:

Other information: