We are planning on renovating our 3 bedroom 2 bathroom NYC apartment in an elevator building. It currently has (2) non accessible bathrooms, one being off the Master Bedroom and the other being in the hallway (available to all bedrooms and guests). Do both of these bathrooms need to be ADA accessible, or can we just make the hallway bathroom ADA accessible? The ADA code does not specificaly address this...any input would be greatful.

The ADA does not required and individual to make their residence accessible. You may do so if you desire. On the other hand, an apartment building owner is required to provide a certain number of accessible units within his complex.

An accessible apartment may or may not have greater market value. For instance, children have difficulty using handicapped toilets because they are 18" to 20" high. Many people are not comfortable with handicapped counters which are 2" shorter than standard counters (dishwashers will not fit under them). Conversly, if you are handicapped, using a nonaccessible bathroom is a nightmare. An accessible bathroom can require as much as 300% more floor space than a standard bathroom. I if you rent or sell the apartment as "ADA accessible" you may be liable for bringing the entire apartment into full ADA compliance. Lastly, check with your local building official, NYC has wierd regulations that you won't find anywhere else.

Regards

Thanks for the info...you are correct on both accounts. 1)Outside of New York City I do not have to build/renovate my residence according to the ADA guidelines, and 2) NYC has different regulations.

According to NYC building code (Local Law 58), renovated apartments in elevator buildings have to be brought up to ADA code. This means that you must provide accessible bathroom space. I should have been more specific in my question. What I am looking for is whether or not (1) accessible bathroom, which is available to all apartment occupants via an accessible hallway, would suffice for the ADA code. Since money and space are tight, we would rather only have to provide one. Could I say that in providing one accessible bathroom, I have fulfilled my obligation to provide equal access to toilet facilities for the disabled.