hi there everyone.

i trying to start a business by opening a cafeteria selling lunch, food, coffee etc.  i have found a locale for it and have got architects helping me with the plans and design.

i have been told it is a new regulation that all restaurants etc must have a disabled toilet with appropriate space access.

my problem is that the locale i have taken on i 90 meters squared, but is rather narrow, at less than 4 meters wide.  by having a disabled toilet access makes the layout of the cafe almost impossible.

is this requirement of having a disabled toilet really a necessity?

thanks for any advice in advance.

I am not a planning law expert but I would say YES it is a requirement - all the new businesses opening around here disabled loo´s albeit sometimes it is also either the male or female so you dont have to have 3. You will also need ramps at the entrance. Its the same as the UK because its EU law.

hmmm, thanks, is this a new thing?  surely it would depend on the size of your shop? what if u had like a 30m squared shop. how are you supposed to fit a disabled loo in there?

As I said I am not an expert - these rules and regs are for bars etc so I suppose no one would now take a 30m2 commercial for that use.

great, thanks. i appreciate your feedback greatly.  do you know anywhere one might be able to find this out for certain? is there an online resource by any chance.

thanks again.

To be honest I think you can take it as read.

You mentioned you are using architects - surely they know the law?

Visit the local town hall they have the appropriate dept - and its them that will (or no!) be issuing your licences for opening (apertura) this is not something for web sites, you need to work with the ayuntamiento.

ROBI is right, it’s EU law.

The local town hall will have all the correct info and so “should” the architect. Might be worth asking around if there are grants available to help cover the costs though.

I’ve done some work in a couple of rural hotels that had to provide disabled access. It certainly poses some “head scratching” in some elderly buildings. In one case I remember it leading to major structural work being required due to the minimum width of corridors.

Unfortunately when it’s law, you have to do it, though I think there should be an opt out option, would make sense really. I’m not being prejudiced against people with a disability by saying this and applaud providing more access. Unfortunately though, there are some places and buildings where for example, a wheelchair just can’t go. There should be more common sense in these laws rather than just a blanket law as there always seems to be.

Please do check with your local town hall (ayuntamiento) as although the laws stand there are exceptions if your local falls in to an area where public toilet facilities (in a commercial centre) may allow you to be exempt. If you are using “architects” then a project should have been drawn up that your local technical office will have had to approve ... if this is not the case then slow your pace as there might be other regulations that you are missing (with required tiling, water, electric etc.) that if your refitted local does not have would not allow you to obtain your opening licence.
Arrange a Gestoria (if you do not already have one) to speak to the ayuntamiento on your behalf or a project manager (possibly your architect) and be sure that your project has been approved before carrying out any works in your local, the rules change by area and often yearly and so only your local advice is relevant as to what your local must provide.
Good luck and if you need any more specific advice (although not in your area) then please feel free to contact me and I will do my best to find the answers out for you.
Phil