Introduction: The Hidden ADA Risks Nobody Tells California Businesses About
Most business owners in California believe they’re safe from ADA lawsuits because:
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“My building looks fine.”
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“We have a handicap parking space.”
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“No one has ever complained.”
But here’s the truth:
The ADA violations that cost California businesses $15,000–$50,000+ are NOT the obvious ones.
They’re the hidden, technical, and easy-to-overlook violations that only ADA inspectors — and unfortunately, serial plaintiffs — know how to spot.
And because these violations are invisible to most business owners, they create the perfect trap:
You don’t even know you’re violating the ADA… until a lawsuit arrives.
This article exposes the 7 hidden ADA violations that are quietly costing California businesses millions every year — and how to fix them before it’s too late.
🔥 1. The 2% Slope Rule: The #1 Silent ADA Killer
Most business owners don’t realize this:
ADA parking spaces and access aisles must be 2% or less in any direction.
Not “almost flat.”
Not “it looks flat.”
Not “the contractor said it’s fine.”
Serial ADA plaintiffs love slope violations because:
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They’re fast to measure
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They’re nearly impossible to dispute
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They appear in 7 out of 10 business parking lots
A $20 digital slope meter is all it takes for them to build a case.
Common causes of slope violations:
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Asphalt settling
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Poor patchwork repairs
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Incorrect grading during installation
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Temperature expansion
A slope off by even 1% can trigger a lawsuit.
🔥 2. Door Pressure That Exceeds 5 Pounds
It sounds simple, but it’s one of the most common ADA violations:
If your door requires more than 5 lbs. of force to open — you can be sued.
This includes:
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Front entrances
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Back entrances
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Bathroom doors
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Patio access doors
Plaintiffs love this one because:
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It takes 3 seconds to test
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It doesn’t require entering the business
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It’s hard for owners to argue
Most older doors fail this test without anyone noticing.
🔥 3. Incorrect Sign Height (Even 1 Inch Off = Violation)
ADA parking signs must be:
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At least 60 inches from the ground to the bottom of the sign
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Clearly visible
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Not blocked by trees, poles, or cars
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Contain specific, legally required wording
If the sign is:
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57 inches
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Tilted
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Partially hidden
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Has old text
→ It’s a violation.
🔥 4. Bathroom Dimensions That Are “Almost” Correct (But Not Quite)
Bathrooms are the favorite hunting ground of ADA attorneys because:
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The rules are extremely technical
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Most bathrooms were not built to ADA specs
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Even small mistakes create large liability
Common hidden bathroom violations:
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Grab bars placed slightly too high or low
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Mirror height off by an inch
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Toilet centerline not aligned
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Insufficient clear floor space
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Pipes under sinks not insulated
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Door swings into required clearance space
These “tiny” mistakes cost California business owners millions in settlements.
🔥 5. Blocked Path of Travel (Often Created by Staff)
You may have a perfectly compliant path of travel…
until someone blocks it.
Common blockers:
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Boxes
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Display racks
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A-frame signs
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Product stands
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Cleaning carts
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Furniture
Even temporary obstructions can lead to a lawsuit if a serial plaintiff walks by at the wrong moment.
This is why training employees is essential.
🔥 6. Faded ADA Markings That Look Fine (But Fail Legally)
California requires ADA markings to be:
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High contrast
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Fully visible
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Crisp and intact
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Not cracked or peeling
Even if the symbol is “pretty visible,”
if it looks weathered → it’s a violation.
Serial plaintiffs will always check:
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Faded blue backgrounds
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Faded white wheelchair symbols
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Stripes that look washed out
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Access aisles with missing lines
Paint is one of the cheapest things to fix — but one of the most expensive things to ignore.
🔥 7. Counter or Checkout Heights Over 36 Inches
Many businesses don’t realize:
At least one section of the checkout counter must be 36 inches or lower.
And it must be:
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Accessible
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Unobstructed
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Not blocked by displays
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Not filled with items or POS terminals
Even if you have a low counter but it’s covered with merchandise, it fails ADA.
🚨 If Any of These Surprised You — You Are Exactly Who ADA Attorneys Target
Serial plaintiffs and ADA-focused law firms specifically look for:
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Older buildings
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Faded parking lots
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Slightly sloped surfaces
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Heavy doors
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Blocked walkways
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Bad signage
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Small, older restrooms
These violations are so easy to spot that plaintiffs don’t even need to step inside — they can build the entire lawsuit from the parking lot.
⭐ How to Avoid Falling Into the ADA Trap
1. Get a Pre-Lawsuit ADA Audit
This is the fastest and most reliable way to identify hidden violations.
2. Fix High-Risk Issues First
Start with parking, slopes, paths, doors, and bathrooms.
3. Refresh Signage and Paint Every 1–2 Years
It’s cheap prevention compared to a $25k lawsuit.
4. Document All Repairs With Photos
Helps with settlements, insurance, and CASp reports.
5. Train Staff on ADA Basics
Especially about blocking paths or placing objects in walkways.
📞 Protect Your Business Before Someone Else Profits From Its Mistakes
If you want to avoid becoming the next ADA lawsuit victim,
we offer a free ADA risk assessment for California businesses.
You’ll get:
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A walkthrough of your property
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A list of hidden ADA violations
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Photos of problem areas
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A prioritized repair plan
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Compliance recommendations
👉 Book Your Free ADA Pre-Inspection Today