ABSTRACT
In the United States, building design and construction is regulated by federal, state, and local governments. This chapter provides an overview of two types of regulations that most affect theater buildings- codes and standards, and accessibility requirements. Codes and standards are developed by private Standards Development Organizations. They become enforceable regulations when they are adopted by an arm of government - typically a state, county, or municipality. This adoption process is called "incorporation by reference". Regulations concerning accessibility for persons with disabilities stem from both privately developed standards and government rulemaking. Accessibility legislation is enacted at all levels of government, but the most significant legislation has been at the federal level. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 provides broad civil rights protection to persons with disabilities. The Act requires newly constructed or altered facilities to be accessible to persons with disabilities, and it requires removal of architectural barriers in existing facilities, where removal is "readily achievable".
