BP 344 Accessibility Law Philippines — Complete Guide for Property Owners and Developers
Every commercial building, public facility, hotel, hospital, school, and government office in the Philippines must comply with Batas Pambansa Blg. 344 — the Accessibility Law. Yet BP 344 violations remain one of the most common issues flagged during building permit and occupancy permit inspections.
This guide covers what BP 344 requires, which buildings must comply, the key dimensional standards you need to know, and how non-compliance can affect your project's permit and certificate of occupancy.
Batas Pambansa Blg. 344 (1983) — the Accessibility Law of the Philippines — requires buildings and facilities open to the public to be accessible to persons with disabilities (PWDs), senior citizens, and pregnant women. Its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) specify exact minimum dimensions for every accessibility feature.
Who Must Comply with BP 344?
BP 344 applies to:
- All government buildings and offices
- Commercial establishments open to the public (malls, stores, restaurants)
- Hotels, resorts, and accommodation facilities
- Hospitals, clinics, and medical facilities
- Schools, universities, and training centers
- Transportation terminals (bus, ferry, airport)
- Places of worship and assembly halls
- Recreational facilities — including pools and sports complexes
- Any building requiring a building permit for public occupancy
Non-compliance consequence: Building permit applications that do not incorporate BP 344 features are rejected. Certificate of Occupancy will not be issued for non-compliant buildings. Owners of non-compliant buildings open to the public are subject to fines and closure under RA 7277 (Magna Carta for Disabled Persons).
Key BP 344 Standards with Illustrated Dimensions
Ramps — Access Between Floor Levels
Ramps are required wherever there is a level change of more than 12mm at any public entrance or circulation path. Every step at a public entrance must have a corresponding ramp alternative.
| Parameter | BP 344 Minimum |
|---|---|
| Clear width | 1,200mm minimum |
| Maximum slope | 1:12 (8.33% grade) |
| Maximum rise per run | 750mm |
| Landing at top and bottom | 1,500mm × 1,500mm |
| Handrail height | 900mm (both sides) |
| Surface | Non-slip, contrasting color at edges |
Accessible Parking Slots
Commercial, hotel, hospital, and institutional buildings must provide a minimum number of accessible parking slots adjacent to the accessible entrance, with direct access to the building without crossing vehicle traffic lanes.
| Parameter | BP 344 Minimum |
|---|---|
| Slot width | 3,700mm (standard: 2,400mm + 1,300mm access aisle) |
| Slot length | 6,000mm minimum |
| Access aisle | 1,500mm minimum shared between two slots |
| Surface | Level, non-slip, clearly marked with ISA symbol |
| Location | Closest to accessible building entrance |
Minimum number: 1 slot per 50 regular slots, or 2% of total parking — whichever is greater.
Doors and Corridors
| Element | Minimum Dimension |
|---|---|
| Accessible door clear width | 900mm |
| Corridor / passageway width | 1,200mm |
| Door hardware | Lever type — no round knobs |
| Threshold height | 12mm maximum (beveled) |
| Door swing clearance | 900mm on latch side |
Accessible Toilets
Every public building must provide at least one accessible toilet per gender — or one unisex accessible toilet for smaller facilities. Accessible toilets must be on the same floor as the main public area they serve.
| Parameter | Minimum Requirement |
|---|---|
| Toilet compartment size | 1,700mm × 1,800mm minimum |
| Door clear width | 900mm, outward swinging or sliding |
| Water closet height | 450–500mm from floor |
| Grab bars | Both sides of WC, 33–36mm diameter, at 900mm height |
| Lavatory height | 800mm maximum, knee clearance below |
| Mirror bottom | 900mm maximum from floor |
Pool and Recreational Areas
Swimming pools in hotels, resorts, and recreational facilities must provide accessible pool entry. The BP 344 standard requires a transfer wall or accessible pool lift as the primary entry mechanism for PWDs.
| Element | Minimum Dimension |
|---|---|
| Pool deck level area width | 1,500mm minimum |
| Transfer wall width | 700mm minimum |
| Pool coping clearance | 400mm minimum |
| Deck surface | Non-slip, firm, stable |
Common BP 344 Violations Found During Inspection
| Violation | What Inspectors Look For |
|---|---|
| Ramp too steep | Slope exceeding 1:12 — very common in retrofitted ramps |
| No landing at top/bottom of ramp | Ramp connecting directly to a door without a level platform |
| Accessible parking too narrow | Standard 2.4m slot painted with ISA symbol — still non-compliant |
| Toilet door swings inward | Inward-swing door blocks wheelchair turning radius |
| No grab bars in accessible toilet | Most common toilet violation — often omitted by contractors |
| Round door knobs | BP 344 requires lever-type hardware on all accessible routes |
| Corridor narrowed by post or beam | Structural element projecting into 1,200mm corridor clear width |
Free BP344 Visual Reference — by AEDO
AEDO created a free illustrated BP 344 reference covering all major accessibility standards with dimensioned diagrams — ramps, parking, toilets, doors, corridors, pool areas, and more. Designed for architects, engineers, and building owners.
Building or Renovating a Public Facility?
AEDO designs BP 344-compliant buildings from the ground up — integrating accessibility features into the architectural plan from day one, not as an afterthought. We handle permit applications and ensure all accessibility requirements are met before submission.
- BP 344-compliant architectural and structural design
- Accessibility audit for existing buildings
- Permit-ready drawings with all required accessibility features
- Design-build execution — no gaps between design and construction
- Free consultation for commercial and institutional projects