Last Updated on October 12, 2022 by acechapman
The minimum toilet space requirement in a small bathroom is a key factor when designing a remodel. While you can remove some fixtures (e.g. the shower), you cannot eliminate others. A standard toilet, however, has fixed dimensions and can’t be eliminated.
Clear space is required for a toilet. The waste opening in standard toilets must be at least a foot from the back wall. The minimum clearance required by building codes must be considered when designing a bathroom layout. However, the National Kitchen and Bath Association publishes guidelines to help you make bathrooms more comfortable. The Americans with Disabilities Act has guidelines for accessible design that will help you create an accessible bathroom. These standards increase the amount of minimum space required for a toilet.
The space required for a toilet will depend on whether you are following the code (which requires minimal clearances) or if you’re following the NKBA guidelines for comfortable designs or the ADA standards.
The minimum space required for a toilet
If you are doing the rough-in for your toilet (or any part of the building/reno phases when all of the plumbing lines have been installed but you have not yet installed any bath fixtures such as the sink or toilet), the local code governs the clearance. Both the residential and plumbing codes have similar requirements.
- Minimum clearance of 21 inches in front of the toilet. This is for all bathroom fixtures including the bathtub, shower, vanity, or bathroom sink.
- The minimum distance between the centerline and the side walls of the toilet should be 15 inches. A minimum of 30 inches width and 60 inches length must be provided for a toilet compartment.
- The minimum distance between adjacent fixtures’ centerlines should be no less than 30 inches
You should measure the distance from the hole to the sidewalls before you cut the hole for the waste line. The code-approved distance is from the finished wall. If the drywall thickness has not been added, measure the framing.
To ensure that you are not too close to the wall, the head-on clearance must be measured from the front. Standard toilets are 28-30 inches in depth. The waste opening is located just in front of the tank. Therefore, the hole should be approximately 40 inches from any facing wall. The toilet must also fit behind the hole. Standard toilets require 12 inches between the center of the hole and the wall.
What is the Toilet’s Centerline?
Spacing guidelines are used to measure the distance between the centerline and the toilet.
The center line is a line drawn down the middle of the fixture. This effectively splits the toilet in half, with the drain at the center. The centerline toilet measurements are measured from side to side, not front to back.
The guideline for front spacing is measured from the tip of your bowel to the wall. This is not the same as the center line, so don’t confuse them. You’ll get a lot too much if you compare your front setback with the center of your bowel.
Toilets come in different shapes, which can make it a bit more difficult to arrange the bathroom.
While elongated bowls can be more comfortable, round ones take up less space. Round bowl toilets are generally 25-28 inches away from the wall. Elongated toilets can be 29 to 31 inches long. Bathrooms are equipped with an in-swing door, so every inch counts. Elongated toilets are more popular in large bathrooms and small bathrooms, while elongated bowels can be found in smaller bathrooms.
When designing a small bathroom, choose specific fixtures. When space is limited, every inch counts. Even a small difference can make a big difference. You don’t need to add an inch to your bowel length if the bathroom is large. However, that’s a luxury. Many homes have small bathrooms. Particularly older homes have smaller bathrooms. Toilets have become slightly larger over the years so it may be necessary to adjust the location for a modern toilet if you are renovating a bathroom in an older home.
How far should a toilet be from the wall?
When laying out your bathroom, another dimension you should consider is the distance the waste drain must be from the wall. The distance between the wall and the drain will vary depending on the toilet, but generally, 12 to 14 inches is the range.
Measure from the wall, not the stud. You could have a toilet that is too close to the wall, or even not fit at all if you measure from the stud.
Remember to measure towards the middle of the drain, not to the edges.
Clearances and Distances for ADA Toilets
ADA.gov specifies that accessible bathrooms should have a distance of 16-18 inches from the toilet’s centerline to the side walls unless the toilet is located in an ambulatory compartment in which case it should be between 17-19 inches. Because the ADA guidelines allow for wheelchairs to turn, the smallest difference between NKBA and ADA guidelines is just in front of the toilet.
For wall-hung toilets, you must leave a clearance of 60 inches from each side wall. 56 inches is for wall-hung ones. 59 inches is for floor-mounted. According to Burnham, this clearance must not overlap the 30×48-inch sink clearance. It also can’t be blocked or overlapped by any freestanding objects, such as a trash bin or the swing of the shower door. The bathroom door can swing outward but the shower must be able to swing into it. If the space is tight, a sliding door or shower curtain will work well.
The ADA also sets guidelines regarding other characteristics of toilets. The toilet seat should be at least 17 inches above the floor. The base of the bowl must be designed so that a wheelchair user can reach it. Grab bars must also be provided to allow for grab bars to be placed in the space between the toilet and the floor. These are key points to keep in mind when designing an accessible bathroom.
Wrapping Up
The positioning of your toilet is a crucial decision when remodeling or designing a bathroom. Everybody wants to be able to pick tile, trim, and cabinetry as soon as possible. The layout is the most important step in bathroom design. The toilet is always the first thing we consider when designing a bathroom. How much minimum space do you need around your toilet?
Because it is a code issue, the area surrounding the toilet must be correct. There are specific codes that determine how much space you should have to the side or in front of your toilet. The layout of the bathroom is crucial if you want it to be legal. Even if your bathroom is small, it’s important to plan ahead. It is the toilet location that will determine where all the other items in the bathroom go. It’s possible to remove things such as a tub or shower from the bathroom, but it still functions as a bathroom. The toilet is the only thing that you must have. It’s also important to consider other things such as drains, vents, and water lines. There are also other considerations, such as the size of the toilet you will use. There are many things to think about.
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