Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Condominiums and the FHA and ADA - Part I of 3

The word condominium is a funny word when it comes to the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), because the word condominium is not found in either documents.


Webster's New World Dictionary defines condominium as "one of the units in a multi-unit dwelling, each separately owned; also, the dwelling as a whole."  Let's go to the 2009 International Building Code (IBC) for greater definition and direction.  Building classification R-2 says: Residential permanent - apartments, dorms, live / work units, vacation time-share properties. 

IBC section 1107.6.2 Group R-2 say: Accessible units, Type A units and Type B units shall be provided in Group R-2 occupancies in accordance with Section 1107.6.2.1 and 1107.6.2.2.  We are getting closer.

IBC Section 1107.6.2.2 Group R-2 other than apartment houses, monasteries and convents says: In Group R-2 occupancies, other than apartment houses, monasteries and convents, accessible units and Type B units shall be provided in accordance with Sections 1107.6.2.2.1 and 1107.6.2.2.2.  We are almost there. 

IBC Section 1107.6.2.2.2 Type B units says: Where there are four or more dwelling units or sleeping units intended to be occupied as a residence in a single structure, every dwelling unit and every sleeping unit intended to be occupied as a residence shall be Type B unit.

That is the condominiums and where the jurisdiction is found for the private area (living area) of the condominium.  A condominium will have two kinds of spaces, private spaces as we have just discussed and common spaces which will be discussed in a later posting.

Let us know your thoughts and/or questions. You can post them here or on our FaceBook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Access-Technologies-Services-Inc/268659564730.  You can also contact us at hfalstad@accessts.net or call us at (702) 649-7575.  We look forward to hearing from you.

Hank


The above are opinions of Hank Falstad, AIA, Managing Senior Associate of Access Technologies Services, Inc. (ACCESS).  See our web site for additional information:  www.accessts.net.

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