Cal. Gov't Code § 12955.1.1
California Government Code
Operative Text
For purposes of Section 12955.1, the following definitions shall apply: (a) “Covered multifamily dwellings” means both of the following: (1) Buildings that consist of at least four condominium dwelling units or at least three rental apartment dwelling units if the buildings have at least one elevator. For purposes of this definition, dwelling units within a single structure separated by firewalls do not constitute separate buildings. (2) The ground floor dwelling units in buildings that consist of at least four condominium dwelling units or at least three rental apartment dwelling units if the buildings do not have an elevator. For purposes of this definition, dwelling units within a single structure separated by firewalls do not constitute separate buildings. (b) “Multistory dwelling unit” means a condominium dwelling unit or rental apartment with finished living space on one floor and the floor immediately above or below it or, if applicable, the floors immediately above and below it.
Cal. Gov't Code § 12955.1.1 establishes the definitions used to determine which residential buildings and units fall under the accessibility requirements of Section 12955.1. 'Covered multifamily dwellings' captures all units in elevator-equipped buildings with at least four condominiums or three rental apartments, but in non-elevator buildings only the ground-floor units qualify. A 'multistory dwelling unit' is defined as a condo or rental apartment that has finished living space spread across two or more directly adjacent floors within the same unit.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating multifamily housing in California should understand how Cal. Gov't Code § 12955.1.1 classifies their buildings, because that classification determines which units must meet the accessibility design standards referenced in Section 12955.1. Compliant operators typically assess whether their buildings meet the elevator and unit-count thresholds, and they apply the ground-floor-only rule carefully for walk-up buildings. Operators also account for the firewall clarification, which means that units within one connected structure are counted together rather than treated as separate buildings.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Cal. Gov't Code § 12955.1.1 defines which units are entitled to the accessibility protections tied to Section 12955.1, and tenants living in qualifying buildings may have enforceable rights related to accessible design features. If a tenant believes their unit should be covered under these definitions but the property does not reflect the required accessibility standards, that concern can generally be raised with the California Civil Rights Department or a local fair housing organization. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with California fair housing law can help individuals understand whether their specific building and unit type fall within the definitions set out in § 12955.1.1.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 11, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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