Aging-in-place kitchen in Redwood City, CA

Reach and clearance

The 2010 ADA Standards use a 30-by-48-inch clear floor space at appliances and a 60-inch turning circle for a wheelchair. Work surfaces at 34 inches or lower, with open knee space below, let a seated cook work comfortably.

Features that help

Drawers instead of base-cabinet doors, pull-down upper shelves, a wall oven or microwave drawer at counter height, front-control cooktops, lever faucets and loop handles. Contrasting counter edges and strong task lighting help people with low vision.

Accessibility terms

Knee space: open area under a counter or sink for seated use. Forward reach: how far someone can reach straight ahead from a seated position. Side-swing oven: an oven with a door hinged on the side. Touch latch: a push-to-open cabinet mechanism. Universal design: design meant to work for people of all abilities.

Permits in Redwood City

Redwood City requires a building permit for any work that section 105.2 of the California Building Code does not exempt; the City's FAQ names painting, flooring and similar finish work as typical exempt residential items.
Applications are filed online through the City's eTRAKiT portal. Residential interior remodels can qualify for One-Stop plan review, in which Building Division staff review the plans with the applicant at City Hall.
The City says plan review takes 6 to 24 weeks depending on scope. A permit is valid for 365 days from issuance, and each passed inspection extends it another 365 days.

City of Redwood City Building Division · (650) 780-7350, [email protected]

Common questions

Can a kitchen become more accessible without a full remodel?

Often. Replacing base cabinets with drawers, adding pull-down shelves and changing faucets and hardware can happen in stages.

Who can help decide heights and reach?

An occupational therapist can assess the person who will use the kitchen and recommend heights before the design is final.