(Formerly Sec. 19-395a). Standards for construction of buildings to accommodate persons with physical disabilities.

(b) Any variation of or exemption from any provision of (1) the State Building Code relating to accessibility to, and use of, buildings and structures by persons with disabilities, (2) subsection (i) of section 14-253a , (3) section 29-273 , or (4) section 29-274 , shall be permitted only when approved by the State Building Inspector. Any person, agent of the state, municipality or any other political subdivision of the state may apply to the State Building Inspector to vary or set aside standards incorporated in the State Building Code pursuant to the provisions of subsection (a) of this section. The State Building Inspector shall, within thirty days of receipt, review the application, and render a decision to accept or reject the application in whole or in part. The State Building Inspector may approve a variation of or exemption from any such standard or specification when the State Building Inspector determines that the standard or specification would not be feasible or would unreasonably complicate the construction, alteration or repair in question. Such determination shall be in writing, shall state the reasons therefor and if it sets aside any such standard or specification, a copy of such determination shall be published electronically by the State Building Inspector on the Internet web site of the Department of Administrative Services. Any person aggrieved by any such decision may appeal to the Codes and Standards Committee within thirty days after such decision has been rendered. (c) Regulations or codes made or amended by authority of this section shall be adopted in accordance with the provisions of section 29-252b . (d) If any regulation is set aside by a court of competent jurisdiction, such ruling shall affect only the regulation, standard or specification included in the ruling and all other regulations, standards or specifications shall remain in effect. (e) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (b) of this section, a variation or exemption from the State Building Code shall not be required to construct a visitable feature in a residential home. For purposes of this section, “visitable feature” means (1) interior doorways that provide a minimum thirty-two inch wide unobstructed opening, (2) an accessible means of egress, as defined in Appendix A to 28 CFR Part 36, including a ramp complying with the International Residential Code portion of the State Building Code intended to allow access by a wheelchair, or (3) a full or half bathroom on the first floor that is compliant with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, 42 USC 12101. See Sec. 10-292 re necessity for public schools' building projects to comply with standards to meet needs of disabled persons. See Sec. 29-274 re exemptions from State Building Code. Cited. 24 CA 44.