North Carolina ADA Ramp Regulations: Compliance & Requirements

According to the North Carolina Office on the Americans with Disabilities Act website, North Carolina uses the ADA for its regulations regarding employment and wheelchair access requirements.

Access

• The ADA was enacted by the U.S. Congress in 1990, creating federal regulations on wheelchair access. Included in these regulations is the requirement that any slope greater than 1:20 is considered a ramp and must adhere to certain regulations, according to the U.S. Access Board.

Sizes

• Ramps constructed within the United States after the introduction of the ADA must have a maximum rise of 30 inches. The U.S. Access Board reports that wheelchair ramps must have a minimum width of 36 inches and a level landing at the top and bottom.

Regulations

• The regulations regarding wheelchair ramps mandate handrails on both sides of any ramp with a rise greater than 6 inches. The U.S. Access Board explains that outdoor ramps should be constructed so that water does not accumulate on the ramp.