When individuals, and developers alike, contemplate taking on the construction of a new project, there are many aspects that must be considered. While most know the basic that need to be covered (who will the team consist of, what type of budget is allowable, who is the target market, etc.), other big ticket factors are sometimes overlooked during the initial schematic “big dreamer” phase. Decisions made during this phase can cause the project to back track in order to get all of the pieces together (costing money in scheduling delays). Accessibility requirements are one item that clients often forget about when envisioning what their project could be (in both aesthetic appeal and economics).
It is particularly important on larger scale projects, that all significant budgetary aspects be reviewed early on. This post is intended to serve as a useful source of information for anyone considering developing multi-unit single family projects in the Denver Metro area. We will scratch the surface of accessibility in multi-unit designs, just to get the ball rolling.
In Denver, this falls under the blanket of the COLORADO REVISED STATUTES (C.R.S. 9-5-105). TITLE 9. SAFETY – INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS AND EQUIPMENT ARTICLE 5. STANDARDS FOR ACCESSIBILITY HOUSING. The points systems described within allows owners and designers the freedom to choose from any variety of design combinations of accessible unit types in order to meet the requirements. The overall means for calculations required some time with the statutes but this covers what units count towards the points and what the point totals are.
Accessible Unit Types that may be used to meet points:
Type A Dwelling
Type A Multistory Dwelling
Type B Dwelling
Type B Multistory Dwelling
Type B Visitable Ground Floor
**Units as defined by ANSI A117.1** (Watch for future posts describing the ins-and-outs of the individual unit types.)
The necessary number of points that must be achieved is broken down by the number of overall units.
Note that developments of six or less units do not require any accessible unit be provided.
# of Units # of Points
0-6 0
7-14 6
15-28 12
29-42 18
43-57 24
58-71 30
72-85 36
86-99 42
100-114 48
115-128 54
129-142 60
143-157 66
158-171 72
172-185 78
186-199 84
200+ For each additional 14 units, or fraction thereof, +6 additional points required.
