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OBC DIVISION B · PART 3 · SECTION 3.8 — BARRIER-FREE DESIGN

What are the accessible (barrier-free) toilet stall dimensions in Ontario?

A barrier-free water closet stall in Ontario must be at least 1 500 mm by 1 500 mm (about 59 in. square), with a compliant outward-swinging or sliding door, grab bars at the toilet, transfer space beside the fixture, and hardware operable with one hand.

Code reference
Barrier-free water closet stalls must provide a clear internal area of not less than 1 500 mm by 1 500 mm, a door that does not swing into the required clear space and can be latched and operated with limited hand strength, grab bars adjacent to and behind the water closet, and clear transfer space beside the toilet positioned at the prescribed distance from the side wall.
OBC Division B, Article 3.8.3.8.

Paraphrased for clarity — open this provision in the BUILDAiD Library for the exact wording.

What this means in practice

Ontario's stall dimensions exceed the national code, so imported washroom templates frequently fail here: verify the 1 500 mm by 1 500 mm clear area after accounting for the actual partition system thickness and door swing. Coordinate toilet centreline offset, grab bar blocking in the wall, flush controls on the transfer side, and coat hooks at reachable height. In multi-stall washrooms, the barrier-free stall is in addition to overall fixture counts, and an ambulatory stall may also be worth providing.

Plain language

The accessible toilet stall in a public washroom must be at least about 1.5 metres square, big enough for a wheelchair to enter and turn to transfer. It also needs sturdy grab bars and a door and latch that are easy to operate.

Related questions

When does a building need to be barrier-free (accessible) in Ontario?Which buildings are exempt from barrier-free design requirements in Ontario?How wide must a barrier-free path of travel be in Ontario?

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This page is provided for general information. Building code requirements depend on your specific project, occupancy and municipality, and code editions change. Always verify requirements against the current Ontario Building Code and confirm with your local building department.