What Is an Ambulatory Stall?
An ambulatory stall is a toilet compartment sized for users who walk with assistance from canes, crutches, walkers, or braces. The stall is narrower than a wheelchair-accessible stall because the user does not require wheelchair turning space, but grab bars on both side walls provide support for sitting and standing.
Ambulatory Stall Key Features
- Width: typically 35 to 37 inches under ADA Section 604.8.2
- Depth: 60 inches minimum
- Door: 32-inch minimum clear opening, outswing
- Grab bars: both side walls at 33 to 36 inches high
- Toilet height: 17 to 19 inches to seat top
When Is an Ambulatory Stall Required?
An ambulatory stall is typically required in commercial restrooms with six or more water closets. In smaller restrooms with fewer than six stalls, only the wheelchair-accessible compartment is commonly required. Once a restroom crosses the six-stall threshold, an ambulatory stall is typically added in addition to the wheelchair-accessible stall, depending on local amendments and fixture-count interpretation.
Stall Count Triggers
1 to 5 stalls: one wheelchair-accessible stall required
6+ stalls: one wheelchair-accessible plus one ambulatory required
12+ stalls: verify local amendments for additional ambulatory stalls
All gender restrooms with 6+ stalls: same rule applies
What Are the Accessible Stall Requirements?
Accessible stall requirements split into two categories under ADA Section 604.8: wheelchair-accessible stalls and ambulatory stalls. Both serve users with disabilities but have different dimensional and grab bar rules.
Wheelchair-Accessible vs Ambulatory Stall
Wheelchair-accessible: 60 inches wide, 56 to 59 inches deep
Ambulatory: 35 to 37 inches wide, 60 inches deep
Wheelchair-accessible doors: 32 inches minimum, typically on long side
Ambulatory doors: 32 inches minimum, on end wall
Browse ASI ADA-compliant grab bars sized for ambulatory stall installation.
What Are the Bathroom Size Requirements for Ambulatory Access?
Bathroom size requirements for ambulatory access typically include the stall itself (35 to 37 inches wide per Section 604.8.2) plus adequate clearances at the door and in the circulation path leading to the stall. The overall restroom commonly provides a clear circulation path of at least 36 inches between fixtures or obstructions, depending on approach direction and door configuration.
Ambulatory Circulation Requirements
- 36-inch minimum circulation path in front of stalls
- 18-inch minimum door latch-side clearance
- 12-inch minimum pull-side clearance on push doors
- Clear floor space outside the stall: 48 inches minimum
Where Should Grab Bars Go in an Ambulatory Stall?
Grab bars in an ambulatory stall are typically located on both side walls, mounted 33 to 36 inches above the finished floor, commonly extending at least 42 inches long. Both bars are typically rated to support a 250-pound pull force per ADA Section 609.
Both side walls: horizontal grab bars, 42 inches minimum length
Mounting height: 33 to 36 inches to top of gripping surface
Distance from rear wall: 12 inches maximum to front end of bar
Diameter: 1.25 to 2 inches per Section 609.2.1 (1.25 to 1.5 most common)
Clearance from wall: typically 1.5 inches
How Do You Specify an Ambulatory Stall?
Specifying an ambulatory stall combines partition selection, grab bar placement, toilet height, and door hardware into one coordinated assembly. Most specifiers add ambulatory stalls on the end wall of a run of compartments so grab bars can anchor directly into structural framing.
Confirm total stall count requires an ambulatory compartment
Size compartment at typically 35 to 37 inches wide by 60 inches deep (Section 604.8.2)
Specify both-side-wall grab bars at 42-inch length
Verify toilet height at 17 to 19 inches
Confirm door clear opening at 32 inches minimum
For complete layouts and specification language, review the ASI guide specifications and the ASI commercial washroom design resources. Browse the full ASI washroom accessories catalog to finalize ambulatory stall specifications.