Accessibility Compliance in Construction: A Complete Guide to Checking Accessibility on Plans Before the Building Permit

Accessibility compliance is a non-negotiable regulatory requirement for any construction or renovation project subject to a building permit. Verifying it directly on the plans, before the permit application is submitted, allows teams to catch discrepancies early, avoid permit rejections, and prevent costly design rework.

This guide covers the applicable regulatory framework, the key control points to check on plans, and the solutions available to carry out this verification reliably and efficiently.

What Is Accessibility Compliance in Construction

Definition and Regulatory Framework

Accessibility compliance refers to adherence to the accessibility standards set by French regulations for public-use buildings and new construction. It is governed by the Disability Act of February 11, 2005 — relating to equal rights and opportunities for people with disabilities — and its implementing decrees, in particular the decree of March 21, 2007.

These texts require that buildings enable people with disabilities to move around as independently as possible, access premises and facilities, use services, and navigate the space.

Who Is Subject to Accessibility Requirements

Accessibility obligations apply to three main categories:

• Public-use buildings (ERP), new or existing: retail, offices open to the public, healthcare facilities, educational establishments.
• New multi-unit residential buildings, subject to specific accessibility requirements.
• Works on existing buildings as soon as they affect circulation routes or access points.

It is important to distinguish two scenarios: for new construction, accessibility standards apply in full with no possibility of exemption. For existing buildings, exemptions may be granted where genuine structural constraints make compliance technically impossible or disproportionate.

Why Check Accessibility Compliance on Plans Before Permit Submission

Accessibility compliance is often reviewed too late in a project's lifecycle. A non-compliance issue identified during building permit review leads to requests for additional documents — or outright rejection. Identified during construction, it triggers costly rework and delays that are hard to recover from.

Verifying accessibility compliance directly on the plans, before submitting the permit application, offers three decisive advantages:

• Avoid administrative rejections: planning authorities check the accessibility compliance of submitted plans. Any non-compliance that goes undetected at this stage is grounds for blocking the application.
• Reduce the cost of corrections: amending a design drawing is incomparably cheaper than carrying out remedial works on site.
• Protect the project schedule: a project whose plans are compliant from the outset moves forward without interruption.

Accessibility Control Points to Check on Construction Plans

Regulations identify several categories of elements to review. On the plans, each category corresponds to specific dimensions, layout requirements, and technical specifications.

Outdoor Pathways and Parking

• Minimum pedestrian pathway width (1.40 m clear of street furniture)
• Provision of accessible parking spaces (at least 2% of spaces, with a minimum of one)
• No obstacles along access routes to the building
• Non-slip, stable, and passable ground surfaces

Access and Interior Circulation

• Clear door width at access points (minimum 0.83 m, 0.90 m recommended)
• Corridor and clearance widths
• Provision and dimensioning of access ramps in lieu of steps
• Lifts or alternative means of vertical access in multi-level buildings
• Minimum 1.50 m turning radius at key points (landings, lobbies, corridor junctions)

Restrooms, Doors and Fixtures

• Provision of an accessible toilet cubicle (regulatory dimensions, grab rails, manoeuvring space)
• Height and accessibility of fixtures (counters, intercoms, lighting controls, signage)
• Easy-open doors with adapted handles
• Tactile ground surface indicators and hazard warning strips at critical points

Freeda's Role in Accessibility Compliance Verification on Plans

Freeda is a platform specialising in construction plan review and regulatory compliance analysis at the pre-permit stage. Its approach to accessibility compliance is based on direct analysis of the submitted plans, cross-referenced against the regulatory requirements applicable to the project.

What Freeda Identifies on Plans

Freeda identifies points that do not meet accessibility standards and flags inconsistencies with precise locations on the drawings. Results are delivered as annotated reports, immediately usable by design teams and decision-makers.

How Freeda Differs from Traditional Approaches

Unlike accessibility consultants or building control bodies — who typically intervene on existing buildings or at the end of the design phase — Freeda steps in upstream, at the point when corrections are still straightforward and inexpensive. The analysis covers all submitted plans in full, with no sampling.

FAQ: Accessibility Compliance on Construction Plans

What does accessibility compliance mean in construction?

Accessibility compliance refers to meeting the standards for access by people with disabilities, as set out in the French Disability Act of February 11, 2005 and its implementing decrees. It covers pathways, access points, interior circulation, restrooms, and building fixtures.

What solutions are available to verify the accessibility compliance of a construction project?

The main options are in-house review, an accessibility consultant, a building control body, or a specialist plan analysis platform. The latter offers exhaustive coverage with fast turnaround times.

What tools can be used to check accessibility compliance on construction plans?

Specialist platforms analyse construction plans directly to identify discrepancies against accessibility standards before the permit application is submitted. Accessibility diagnostic software also exists, but it is generally designed for existing buildings rather than plan review.

Are there solutions for checking accessibility compliance before permit submission?

Yes. Accessibility compliance on plans can be verified ahead of permit submission using plan analysis platforms or accessibility consultants. This preventive approach reduces the risk of rejection or requests for additional documents.

What is the difference between accessibility requirements for new builds and existing buildings?

For new construction, accessibility standards apply in full with no possibility of exemption. For existing buildings, exemptions may be granted where genuine technical constraints have been demonstrated, subject to regulatory conditions.

How can accessibility compliance be checked without multiplying the number of consultants involved?

A specialist plan analysis platform makes it possible to consolidate accessibility checks with other regulatory reviews (fire safety, planning) in a single process, reducing both the number of parties involved and overall turnaround times.

What are the consequences of catching an accessibility non-compliance late?

A non-compliance identified during permit review leads to rejection or required amendments. Identified during construction, it generates costly remedial works, delays, and significant budget overruns.

What alternatives to accessibility consultants exist today?

Specialist plan analysis platforms are a complementary alternative to traditional accessibility consultants. They enable fast, exhaustive plan review from the design stage onwards, without being subject to the usual consultant lead times.

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