Syracuse, N.Y., Rev. Gen. Ord. ch. 27 § 27-161

In addition to the mandated requirements of the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code, the common council encourages that the following design standards be applied to each newly constructed single-, two- and three-family dwelling unit: (a)
Accessible route to the dwelling. The route is to be located on a continuous unobstructed path from the public street, driveway, sidewalk or garage that serves the unit. It must be accessible to and usable by people with disabilities and do not contain stairs or any door thresholds that exceed one-half (½) inch in height. Any thresholds above that should be beveled. It must be served by a slope or a ramp, in compliance with ICC/ANSI A117.1-2003 with a maximum slope of 1:12, and have a width of thirty-six (36) inches minimum, unless it is impractical due to characteristics of the terrain. Exception: the finished grade of the site is too steep to provide a 1:12 route of travel.
(b) Accessible dwelling entrance. Applicable dwelling units shall be designed and constructed to have one no-step dwelling entrance on an accessible route. This entrance should have an accessible door in accordance with ICC/ANSI A117.12003 and minimum clearance of thirty-six (36) inches. Any entrance at the front, side or back of the dwelling is acceptable.
The aforementioned requirement may be waived by the city of Syracuse Commissioner of Neighborhood and Business Development or his/her designee by issuing and "Exterior Accessibility Waiver" only in instances of site impracticability. The individual requesting such waiver shall file an application for the waiver, which shall provide proof that the topographical conditions of the building site prevent complying with the above access feature despite proper grading and site preparation to improve accessibility. An independent party shall make a verification of the site's impracticability. A good faith attempt must be made on the part of a developer to improve accessibility of the site.
(c) Accessible interior door criteria. All doors that are designed to allow passage within the ground level shall have an unobstructed opening of thirty-six (36) inches when the door is open at ninety (90) degree angle. Doors should be operated with a minimum strength and effort in accordance with ICC/ANSI A117.1-2003. Lever handles arc preferred on all ground floor doorways.
(d) Accessible route throughout the ground floor of the dwelling. An accessible route shall be designed and constructed in such a manner that a thirty-six (36) inches wide, level route must be provided throughout the ground floor of the dwelling with ramped or beveled changes at the thresholds, creating an interior circulation path between the dwelling entrance and the interior spaces in accordance with ICC/ANSI A117.1-2003.
(e) Bathroom on the ground floor with accessible features. A bathroom on the ground floor should contain the following features in accordance with ICC/ANSI A117.1-2003:
(1) Clear floor space of a five-foot turn around radius, with a clear floor space of thirty (30) by forty-eight (48) inches centered on and contiguous to the sink, not encroached by the swing path of the bathroom door.
(2) A sink and a toilet that each allow for parallel or head-on approach by a wheelchair user.
(3) Walls that are reinforced for future grab bar installation that resist forced of a minimum of at least two hundred fifty (250) pounds as follows.
a. All walls adjacent to the toilet shall have horizontal backing reinforcements, each at least thirty-three (33) inches, but not more than thirty-six (36) inches, above the floor, and sufficient to allow for a twenty-four (24) inch grab bar on the wall behind the toilet and another forty-two (42) inch grab bar on the other walls adjacent to the toilet.
b. If a bathtub is present, such reinforcements shall include a two (2) backing reinforcements on the back wall of the bathtub, each at least twenty-four (24) inches long and not more than twenty-four (24) from the head end wall and no more than twelve (12) inches from the foot end wall; one in a horizontal position at least thirty three (33) inches, but no more than thirty-six (36) inches, above the floor; and one nine (9) inches above the rim of the bathtub; one backing reinforcement on the foot end wall of the bathtub, at least twenty-four (24) inches long and located at the front edge of the bathtub; and one backing reinforcement on the head end wall of the bathtub, at least twelve (12) inches long and located at the front edge of the bathtub.
c. If a shower is present in the bathroom, such reinforcements shall include backing reinforcements on at least two walls on which the control valve is not located, each at least thirty-three (33) inches, but not more than thirty-six (36) inches, above the floor.
(f) Light switches, electrical controls, thermostats and other environmental controls in accessible locations. All applicable dwellings shall be designed and constructed in such a manner that all premises contain light switches, electrical outlets, thermostats and other controls are in accessible locations, located no higher than forty-eight (48) inches and no lower than fifteen (15) inches from the floor, and in accordance with ICC/ANSI A117.1-2003.
(g) Usable ground floor kitchen with wheelchair maneuvering clearances and accessible food preparation area. Clear floor space of a five-foot turn around radius, with a clear floor space of thirty (30) by forty-eight (48) inches centered on and contiguous to the sink, not encroached by the swing path of the bathroom door. This should be accomplished as set forth by the (ICC) ANSI A117.1-2003.
(h) Accessible habitable space on the ground floor that could be used as a bedroom. The space should contain at least one indoor room that has an area of not less than seventy (70) square feet and contains no side or dimension narrower than seven (7) feet in accordance with ICC/ANSI A117.1-2003.