Who's the Boss (And Why TDLR Suddenly Cares) TDLR, TAS, and Owner Accountability
This session will cover two critical areas of practice for architects in El Paso: administrative compliance and technical accessibility standards. First, we will detail the recent Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) administrative mandates aimed at ensuring the actual facility owner is correctly identified and held accountable for code compliance, as stipulated by Texas Government Code Sec. 469.058 for architectural barriers. This includes an analysis of the new Central Appraisal District (CAD) account number requirement, the need to provide verifiable ownership documentation, and the specific steps required when dealing with limited liability entities via the Limited Liability Ownership (LLO) Form. The session will then transition into a deep dive of Texas Accessibility Standards (TAS) Chapter 3: Building Blocks. We will review the technical specifications for elements like floor and ground surfaces (302) and operable parts (309). We will place special emphasis on the design implications and common pitfalls associated with: Section 306 (Knee and Toe Clearance), Section 307 (Protruding Objects), and Section 308 (Reach Ranges). Through case examples from plan reviews and field inspections, attendees will analyze common design mistakes, interpretation challenges, and strategies for integrating compliant clearances, projections, and operational reach requirements into real-world projects. Together, these topics will leave attendees with a clear understanding of the administrative and design requirements needed to maintain compliance, mitigate liability, and protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public in their projects.
