101.132 Physically disabled persons; housing requirements.

601 words·~3 min read·/wi/chapter-101/101-132

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

(1)Definitions. In this section:

(a)“Accessible” means able to be approached, entered and used by persons with disabilities.

(b)“Accessible route” means a continuous, unobstructed path connecting accessible elements and spaces in a building, within a site or from a site to a vehicular route, that can be negotiated by all persons with a disability.

(c)“ANSI A117.1” means the 1986 edition of the American national standards institute’s code for buildings and facilities providing accessibility and usability for people with physical disabilities.

(d)“Covered multifamily housing” means any of the following:

1. Housing that is first ready for occupancy on or after October 1, 1993, consisting of 3 or more dwelling units if the housing has one or more elevators.

2. Grade-level dwelling units, in housing without elevators, that are first ready for occupancy on or after October 1, 1993, consisting of 3 or more dwelling units.

(e)“Disability” has the meaning given in s. 106.50

(g).

(f)“Dwelling unit” has the meaning given in s. 106.50

(i).

(g)“Housing” has the meaning given in s. 106.50

(L).

(h)“Remodel” means to substantially improve, alter, extend or otherwise change the structure of a building or change the location of exits, but does not include maintenance, redecoration, reroofing or alteration of mechanical or electrical systems.

(i)“Vehicular route” means a route intended for vehicular traffic including, but not limited to, a street, driveway or parking lot.

(2)Discrimination against persons with physical disabilities prohibited.

(a)Design and construction of covered multifamily housing. In addition to discrimination prohibited under s. 106.50

(2),

(2m)and

(b),

(bg), and

(br), no person may design or construct covered multifamily housing unless it meets all of the following standards:

1. There is at least one accessible entrance for each building and that entrance is on an accessible route. All other entrances that are at grade level shall be accessible to the greatest extent feasible. The department shall promulgate rules that define “to the greatest extent feasible” to ensure maximum accessibility in a way that is not disproportionate to the entire project’s cost and scope. If the covered multifamily housing units are at grade level and are served by separate entrances, each unit shall be on an accessible route.

If the units have a minimum number of required exits, as determined by rules that shall be promulgated by the department, all required grade-level exits shall be accessible.

2. Public and common use areas are accessible to persons with disabilities.

3. Interior and exterior doors, and interior passages, are sufficiently wide to allow passage by persons with disabilities who use wheelchairs.

4. Light switches, electrical outlets, circuit controls, thermostats and other environmental controls are all located in accessible locations; reinforcements in bathroom walls are installed to allow later installation of grab bars around the toilet, tub, shower stall and shower seat, when such facilities are provided; kitchens and bathrooms allow an individual in a wheelchair to maneuver about the space; and, upon the request of a renter and without cost to a renter, lever door handles are on all doors and single lever controls, or other controls that are approved by the department by rule, are on all plumbing fixtures used by residents.

(b)Remodeling.

1. If more than 50 percent of the interior square footage of any housing with 3 or more dwelling units is to be remodeled, the entire housing shall conform to the standards in par.

(a), regardless of when the housing was first intended for occupancy.