Unruh Act claims can carry statutory damages of at least $4,000 per offense, plus attorney's fees
Skip to main content
U.S. STATE COMPLIANCE
California Accessibility
For businesses serving customers in California. Under the Unruh Civil Rights Act, any violation of the federal ADA is also a violation of California law, and the Act adds statutory damages.
CA
Unruh Civil Rights Act
Cal. Civ. Code § 51
The Unruh Civil Rights Act
California's civil rights law for business establishments (Cal. Civ. Code § 51)
What It Requires
- Full and equal access to the services of all business establishments
- Any violation of the federal ADA is also a violation of the Unruh Act
- WCAG 2.1 Level AA is the common benchmark (it is not written into the Act)
- Practical focus: accessible checkout, booking, and contact forms
- Practical focus: accessible customer service options
Who Must Comply
- • Business establishments of every kind in California
- • Businesses with a physical location and a website
- • Out-of-state businesses selling to Californians may face claims
- • Online-only businesses: courts have been divided
Note: the Act has no business-size exemption
Businesses with the most exposure
Businesses where customers rely on the website to buy, book, or get information
Retail & E-commerce
Online stores, shopping websites, and retail businesses with digital presence
Hospitality
Hotels, restaurants, and travel booking websites
Professional Services
Law firms, healthcare providers, and financial services
Non-compliance penalties
Statutory Damages
Or up to three times actual damages (Cal. Civ. Code § 52)
At least $4,000 per offense
Attorney's Fees
A successful plaintiff can recover attorney's fees
Recoverable
Injunctive Relief
Required to fix accessibility issues
Remediation costs
Source: Cal. Civ. Code §§ 51 and 52. General information, not legal advice.
How to protect your business
1
Conduct an Accessibility Audit
Identify accessibility barriers on your website using automated and manual testing
2
Work Toward WCAG 2.1 Level AA
Fix the issues you find, starting with barriers that block key tasks
3
Publish an Accessibility Statement
Document your commitment to accessibility and provide contact information
4
Monitor and Maintain
Continuously monitor your website and address new accessibility issues
WCAG 2.1 AA: The Standard
California law doesn't specify a technical standard. WCAG 2.1 Level AA is the benchmark most commonly referenced for web accessibility in the U.S.
- Widely used as the benchmark
- Provides clear compliance criteria
- Gives you a documented target
Key WCAG Requirements
- • Text alternatives for images
- • Keyboard navigation support
- • Color contrast (4.5:1 minimum)
- • Captions for video content
- • Accessible forms and labels
- • Consistent navigation
- • Error identification and suggestions
- • Compatible with assistive tech
California compliance FAQ
What makes California different from other states?
The federal ADA (Title III) lets private plaintiffs seek only injunctive relief and attorney's fees. California's Unruh Civil Rights Act adds statutory damages of at least $4,000 per offense, and it applies to business establishments of every kind, with no business-size exemption.
Can I be sued if I don't have a physical location in California?
Possibly. Claims are often brought against businesses outside California that sell to California residents. California courts have been divided on whether businesses that operate only online, with no physical place of business, are covered. Speak with a lawyer about your own situation.
How quickly do I need to become compliant?
The Act has no grace period, so start now. Find and fix the barriers that block key tasks such as checkout, booking, and contact forms, publish an accessibility statement, and keep monitoring. A free automated scan is a quick first look, but it finds only part of all barriers.
Serving all Californians: it's not just the law, it's the right thing
California is home to millions of people with disabilities. When your website is accessible, you're not just avoiding lawsuits, you're welcoming every potential customer who wants to do business with you. That's a California value worth embracing.
Protect your California business today
Don't wait for a demand letter. Compliable scans your site in a real browser, maps findings to WCAG and the ADA, and gives you guidance to fix each issue.
Free single-page scan • No credit card required