Chapter 101

101.128(4) (4) Applicability.

101.128(4)(a) (a) Six months after rules promulgated. This section applies to any facility where the public congregates at which the following events begin on or after the first day of the 7th month beginning after the department promulgates rules under this section:

101.128(4)(a)1. 1. If the facility is a new structural facility, initial construction of any structure.

101.128(4)(a)2. 2. If the facility is a new facility that will contain no permanent structure to serve the public, other than structures to house restrooms or other minor structures, the establishment of the facility.

101.128(4)(a)3. 3. If the facility is an existing structural facility, renovations that affect more than 50 percent of the facility’s square footage.

101.128(4)(a)4. 4. If the facility is an existing structural facility, the initial construction of any structural addition to the facility that has a square footage equal to or larger than 51 percent of the existing facility’s square footage.

101.128(4)(a)5. 5. If the facility is an existing facility with no permanent structure to serve the public, other than structures to house restrooms or other minor structures, the addition of land to the facility that has an acreage equal to or larger than 51 percent of the existing facility’s acreage.

101.128(4)(b) (b) Renovations or additions. In any existing facility where the public congregates to which this section applies under par. (a) 3. to 5., the requirements of this section apply only to the renovated portion of the facility or to the structural or land addition of the facility.

101.128 History History: 1991 a. 110; 1993 a. 27; 2015 a. 55.

101.13 101.13 Physically disabled persons; place of employment and public building requirements.

101.13(1) (1) In this section, “access” means the physical characteristics of a place which allow persons with functional limitations caused by impairments of sight, hearing, coordination or perception or persons with semiambulatory or nonambulatory disabilities to enter, circulate within and leave a place of employment or public building and to use the public toilet facilities and passenger elevators in the place of employment or public building without assistance.

101.13(1m) (1m) 

101.13(1m)(a) (a) Except as provided in par. (b), the department shall by rule provide minimum requirements to facilitate the use of public buildings and places of employment by physically disabled persons where traffic might reasonably be expected by such persons.

101.13(1m)(b) (b) The department may not promulgate a rule requiring that a unisex toilet room be provided in any public building or place of employment.

101.13(2) (2) 

101.13(2)(a) (a) Any place of employment or public building, the initial construction of which is commenced after July 1, 1970, but prior to May 27, 1976, shall be so designed and constructed as to provide reasonable means of ingress and egress by the physically disabled with the exception of:

101.13(2)(a)1. 1. Apartment houses with less than 20 units, row houses and rooming houses;

101.13(2)(a)2. 2. Convents and monasteries;

101.13(2)(a)3. 3. Jails or other places of detention;

101.13(2)(a)4. 4. Garages, hangars and boathouses;

101.13(2)(a)5. 5. All buildings classified as hazardous occupancies;

101.13(2)(a)6. 6. Warehouses;

101.13(2)(a)7. 7. State buildings specifically built for field service purposes such as but not limited to conservation fire towers, fish hatcheries, tree nursery buildings; and

101.13(2)(a)8. 8. University residence halls at universities which have at least 3 residence halls for men and 3 residence halls for women so constructed as to allow physically disabled persons reasonable means of ingress and egress to such buildings.

101.13(2)(b) (b) The requirements of par. (a) may be accomplished by at least one ground or street level entrance and exit without steps, by ramps with slopes not more than one foot of rise in 12 feet, coated with a nonskid surface, or by elevator or such other arrangement as may be reasonably appropriate under the circumstances and which meets with the approval of the department or in lieu thereof with the approval of the municipality wherein the building is located. The doors of such entrance and exit must have a clear opening of at least 40 inches in width and shall otherwise conform to the department building code.

101.13(2)(c) (c) If any ground or street level entrance or exit is not so designed or constructed a sign shall be placed at such entrance or exit indicating the location of the entrance or exit available for wheelchair service.

101.13(2)(d) (d) Any place of employment or public building, unless exempted by rule of the department, the initial construction of which is commenced on or after May 27, 1976, shall be designed and constructed so as to provide reasonable means of access. Buildings, as defined in s. 703.02 (5), 1975 stats., of 2 stories or less in height shall be exempt from requirements relating to parking space, ramps and grade-level entrances.

101.13(2)(e) (e) The department shall by rule provide minimum regulations to ensure the access to and use of buildings prescribed in pars. (a) to (d).

101.13(2)(f) (f)

101.13(2)(f)1. 1. Except as provided in subd. 2., no governmental unit may issue any authorization to occupy any place of employment or public building prescribed in pars. (a) to (d) unless the owner thereof files with that governmental unit a true certification of compliance with the rules under par. (e) applicable to that place of employment or public building relating to the reservation and marking of parking spaces for use by a motor vehicle used by a physically disabled person.

101.13(2)(f)2. 2. An authorization to occupy a place of employment or public building prescribed in pars. (a) to (d) may be issued prior to the completion of parking facilities for that place of employment or public building if the owner files a true certification that upon completion of any parking facility for that place of employment or public building that parking facility shall comply with the rules under par. (e) applicable to that place of employment or public building as specified in subd. 1.

101.13(3) (3) Any place of employment or public building subject to sub. (2) shall be so designed and constructed to allow physically disabled persons reasonable means of access from a parking lot, if any, ancillary to such buildings.

101.13(4) (4) The owner of any building who fails to meet the requirements of this section may be required to reconstruct the same by mandatory injunction in a circuit court suit brought by any interested person. Such person shall be reimbursed, if successful, for all costs and disbursements plus such actual attorney fees as may be allowed by the court.

101.13(5) (5) 

101.13(5)(a) (a) Every place of employment and public building, except those described in sub. (2) (a) 1. to 8., the construction of which is begun after May 24, 1974 but prior to May 27, 1976, on each floor that is accessible to disabled persons, including persons in wheelchairs, which has public toilets shall have:

101.13(5)(a)1. 1. All public toilet rooms and at least one toilet compartment therein so designed and constructed that they will be suitable for entry and use by handicapped persons, including persons in wheelchairs;

101.13(5)(a)2. 2. The toilet compartment specified under par. (a) so designed and constructed to allow sufficient space between the front entrance of the compartment and adjacent furniture, fixtures or walls to permit the compartment door to open at least 95° and to allow a person in a wheelchair ample room to readily maneuver himself or herself or the wheelchair into the compartment; and

101.13(5)(a)3. 3. At least one lavatory, sink, mirror and towel dispenser or hand drier in each public toilet room accessible to a disabled person, including a person in a wheelchair, if such item is provided.

101.13(5)(b) (b) Within 90 days after May 24, 1974, the department shall adopt, by rule, specifications to effect the requirements of par. (a). The department, in so adopting rules, shall consider the specifications established in the most current revision of “American Standard Specifications for Making Buildings and Facilities Accessible to, and Usable by, the Physically Handicapped”, published by the American standards association of New York.

101.13(6) (6) 

101.13(6)(g) (g) The owner of any public building who fails to comply with this subsection may be compelled to meet its requirements in a circuit court suit by any interested person. Such person shall be reimbursed, if successful, for all costs and disbursements plus such actual attorney fees as may be allowed by the court.

101.13(6)(h) (h) Each toilet room accommodation provided for disabled persons as required under this section shall be identified on its entrance as a disabled accommodation, and directions to such accommodations shall appear at the building’s primary entrance.

101.13(7) (7) The international symbol of accessibility as adopted by the rehabilitation international in 1969 is established as the official state symbol designating buildings and facilities constructed and designed to be accessible. The symbol may be used only in buildings or other facilities, or parts thereof, which meet the standards for access established by rule of the department. If anyone uses or causes the use of the symbol in violation of department standards, the department shall order the discontinuance of such use until such standards are met. Whoever fails to comply with a department order under this subsection shall be fined $50.

101.13(8) (8) Every passenger elevator installed in a place of employment or public building after October 1, 1978 shall be equipped with raised letters and numerals on the operating panel and the external door frame on each floor, and the letters and numerals shall be designed and placed to maximize the ability of persons with functional limitations to use the passenger elevator without assistance.

101.13(9) (9) To the extent that the historic building code applies to the subject matter of this section, this section does not apply to a qualified historic building, as defined under s. 101.121 (2) (c), if the owner elects to be subject to s. 101.121.

101.13 History History: 1971 c. 185; 1971 c. 228 ss. 17, 42, 44; Stats. 1971 s. 101.13; 1973 c. 201, 202, 336; 1975 c. 276; 1977 c. 249, 407; 1981 c. 341; 1983 a. 77, 246; 1987 a. 260; 1993 a. 492; 1995 a. 27, 225, 285; 1997 a. 237.

101.13 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. SPS 318, Wis. adm. code.

101.13 Annotation While neither the U.S. nor Wisconsin Constitutions compel states to require that public buildings and seats of government be constructed and maintained to be accessible to the physically handicapped, the legislature has an affirmative duty to address this problem and assure equal access to all constituted classes of citizens, including the physically handicapped. 63 Atty. Gen. 87.

101.132 101.132 Physically disabled persons; housing requirements.

101.132(1) (1) Definitions. In this section:

101.132(1)(a) (a) “Accessible” means able to be approached, entered and used by persons with disabilities.

101.132(1)(b) (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.

101.132(1)(c) (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.

101.132(1)(d) (d) “Covered multifamily housing” means any of the following:

101.132(1)(d)1. 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.

101.132(1)(d)2. 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.

101.132(1)(e) (e) “Disability” has the meaning given in s. 106.50 (1m) (g).

101.132(1)(f) (f) “Dwelling unit” has the meaning given in s. 106.50 (1m) (i).

101.132(1)(g) (g) “Housing” has the meaning given in s. 106.50 (1m) (L).

101.132(1)(h) (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.

101.132(1)(i) (i) “Vehicular route” means a route intended for vehicular traffic including, but not limited to, a street, driveway or parking lot.

101.132(2) (2) Discrimination against persons with physical disabilities prohibited.

101.132(2)(a) (a) Design and construction of covered multifamily housing. In addition to discrimination prohibited under s. 106.50 (2), (2m) and (2r) (b), (bg), and (br), no person may design or construct covered multifamily housing unless it meets all of the following standards:

101.132(2)(a)1. 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.

101.132(2)(a)2. 2. Public and common use areas are accessible to persons with disabilities.

101.132(2)(a)3. 3. Interior and exterior doors, and interior passages, are sufficiently wide to allow passage by persons with disabilities who use wheelchairs.

101.132(2)(a)4. 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.

101.132(2)(b) (b) Remodeling.

101.132(2)(b)1. 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.

101.132(2)(b)2. 2. If 25 percent to 50 percent of the interior square footage of any housing with 3 or more dwelling units is to be remodeled, that part of the housing that is to be remodeled shall conform to the standards in par. (a), regardless of when the housing was first intended for occupancy.

101.132(2)(b)3. 3. If less than 25 percent of the interior square footage of any housing with 3 or more dwelling units is to be remodeled, the remodeling is not subject to the standards in par. (a) unless the alteration involves work on doors, entrances, exits or toilet rooms, in which case the doors, entrances, exits or toilet rooms shall conform to the standards in par. (a) regardless of when the housing was first intended for occupancy.

101.132(2)(b)4. 4. The department may grant a variance or waiver from the requirements under this paragraph relating to exterior accessibility using the standards and procedures under par. (c).

101.132(2)(c) (c) Permit and variance procedures.

101.132(2)(c)1. 1. Plans and specifications for all covered multifamily housing subject to par. (a) and proposed remodeling subject to par. (b) shall be submitted to the department or its authorized representative for examination and approval before commencing work. The department shall promulgate rules that specify the materials to be included in the submittal, the procedures to be followed upon receipt of a submittal, reasonable time limitations for reviewing submittals and issuing or denying permits and qualifications for authorized representatives.

101.132(2)(c)2. 2. The department may grant a variance from the requirements relating to exterior accessibility under par. (a) 1. or (b), or from administrative rules promulgated under par. (e) 2., if the person designing, constructing or remodeling the housing shows that meeting those requirements is impractical because of the terrain or unusual characteristics of the site. The department shall use a slope analysis of the undisturbed site for covered multifamily housing under par. (a) or the existing site for remodeling under par. (b) to determine the minimum number of accessible entrances at each site, with a minimum goal of exterior accessibility of 50 percent of the dwelling units of covered multifamily housing at one site. The department may impose specific conditions in granting a variance to promote exterior accessibility of the housing to persons with disabilities. If the department finds that exterior accessibility is impractical as to all dwelling units at a site, it may grant a waiver from the requirements under par. (a) 1. or (b).

101.132(2)(d) (d) Safe harbor.

101.132(2)(d)1. 1. Except as provided in subd. 2., covered multifamily housing and remodeled housing are accessible for purposes of this subsection if they comply with one of the following:

101.132(2)(d)1.a. a. The applicable requirements of ANSI A117.1.

101.132(2)(d)1.b. b. Final guidelines issued by the federal department of housing and urban development, published in the federal register on March 6, 1991.

101.132(2)(d)1.c. c. Another standard that affords persons with disabilities access that is essentially equivalent to or greater than that required by ANSI A117.1.

101.132(2)(d)2. 2. Subdivision 1. does not apply to remodeled or covered multifamily housing for which a building permit is issued on or after January 1, 1995.

101.132(2)(e) (e) General powers and duties of department.

101.132(2)(e)1. 1. The requirements under this subsection are in addition to, and do not supplant, the requirements under s. 101.13 relating to the use of public buildings by persons with disabilities. Any conflict between this subsection and s. 101.13 or the rules promulgated under s. 101.13 shall be resolved in favor of the provision providing the greatest degree of access by persons with disabilities, as determined by the department.

101.132(2)(e)2. 2. The department shall promulgate rules establishing minimum accessibility requirements for the design and construction of covered multifamily housing and the remodeling of housing that are consistent with this subsection, that incorporate the applicable standards under ANSI A117.1 and that set forth permit and variance procedures for purposes of par. (c).

101.132 History History: 1997 a. 237 ss. 330, 335 to 351; 1999 a. 32, 82; 2017 a. 317; 2017 a. 365 s. 111.

101.135 101.135 Uniform firewall identification.

101.135(1) (1) The department shall promulgate rules that specify uniform dimensions, design and other characteristics for signs used to identify firewalls. The rules may not specify firewall signs that are more expensive than necessary to accomplish their purpose.

101.135(2) (2) Whenever a city, village or town provides by ordinance for the identification of firewalls, the provisions of the ordinance shall conform to the rules promulgated under sub. (1).

101.135 History History: 1991 a. 269.