What is the ADA toilet seat and grab bar height?
Under the 2010 ADA Standards, an accessible water closet seat is 17 to 19 inches above the floor (§604.4), and grab bars mount with their tops 33 to 36 inches above the floor (§609.4). The side grab bar is at least 42 inches long and no more than 12 inches from the rear wall (§604.5.1); the rear bar is at least 36 inches (§604.5.2).
Source: 2010 ADA §604 / §609 · Verify against your AHJ and the adopted code edition.
Two heights carry most accessible-restroom questions:
- Water closet seat: 17–19 inches above the finished floor to the top of the seat (§604.4) — higher than a standard toilet, which eases transfers.
- Grab bars: 33–36 inches above the floor to the top of the gripping surface (§609.4).
The grab bars themselves:
- Side wall bar: at least 42 inches long, mounted no more than 12 inches from the rear wall and extending at least 54 inches from it (§604.5.1).
- Rear wall bar: at least 36 inches long (§604.5.2).
The toilet centerline also sits 16–18 inches from the side wall (§604.2), inside a clear floor space of 60 inches wide by 56 inches deep (§604.3).
These are federal new-construction values; state codes (e.g. CBC 11B) and ICC A117.1 can differ — verify with your AHJ.
Look it up: the ADA clearances reference has the toilet, grab-bar, and lavatory dimensions with diagrams.
Sources
- U.S. Access Board — 2010 ADA Standards — 2010 ADA Standards §604, §609