"Building" defined — Us Code Code § 4151
Us Code Code § 4151 — "Building" defined. Reproduced from the official United States Code, with a citation summary, verification link, and related provisions.
§ 4151. "Building" defined
As used in this chapter, the term "building" means any building or facility (other than (A) a privately owned residential structure not leased by the Government for subsidized housing programs and (B) any building or facility on a military installation designed and constructed primarily for use by able bodied military personnel) the intended use for which either will require that such building or facility be accessible to the public, or may result in the employment or residence therein of physically handicapped persons, which building or facility is—
(1) to be constructed or altered by or on behalf of the United States;
(2) to be leased in whole or in part by the United States after August 12, 1968;
(3) to be financed in whole or in part by a grant or a loan made by the United States after August 12, 1968, if such building or facility is subject to standards for design, construction, or alteration issued under authority of the law authorizing such grant or loan; or
(4) to be constructed under authority of the National Capital Transportation Act of 1960, the National Capital Transportation Act of 1965, or title III of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Regulation Compact.
(Pub. L. 90–480, §1, Aug. 12, 1968, 82 Stat. 718; Pub. L. 91–205, Mar. 5, 1970, 84 Stat. 49; Pub. L. 94–541, title II, §201(1), Oct. 18, 1976, 90 Stat. 2507.)
Editorial Notes
References in Text
The National Capital Transportation Act of 1960, referred to in par. (4), is Pub. L. 86–669, July 14, 1960, 74 Stat. 537, which enacted sections 651, 652, 661 to 665, and 671 of former Title 40, Public Buildings, Property, and Works, and enacted provisions set out as notes under section 651 of former Title 40 and which was repealed by Pub. L. 91–143, §8(a)(1), Dec. 9, 1969, 83 Stat. 322.
The National Capital Transportation Act of 1965, referred to in par. (4), is Pub. L. 89–173, Sept. 8, 1965, 79 Stat. 663. Section 1 of the Act, which was classified to a note under section 681 of former Title 40, Public Buildings, Property, and Works, was repealed by Pub. L. 107–217, §6(b), Aug. 21, 2002, 116 Stat. 1304. Section 2 of the Act, which was classified to section 681 of former Title 40, has been omitted from the Code. Sections 3 and 4 of the Act, which were classified to sections 682 and 683, respectively, of former Title 40, were repealed by Pub. L. 91–143, §8(a)(2), Dec. 9, 1969, 83 Stat. 323. Sections 5(a) (no subsec. (b) was enacted) and 6 of the Act, which were classified to sections 684 and 685, respectively, of former Title 40, were repealed by Pub. L. 107–217, §6(b), Aug. 21, 2002, 116 Stat. 1304. Section 7 of the Act amended provisions classified to section 662 of former Title 40, which was repealed by Pub. L. 89–774, §5(b), Nov. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 1353. Section 8 of the Act, which was classified to a note under section 681 of former Title 40, has been omitted from the Code.
Amendments
1976—Pub. L. 94–541 inserted in parenthetical text "not leased by the Government for subsidized housing programs" after "structure" and struck out from par. (2) ", after construction or alteration in accordance with plans and specifications of the United States" after "August 12, 1968".
1970—Par. (4). Pub. L. 91–205 added par. (4).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Short Title
Pub. L. 90–480, Aug. 12, 1968, 82 Stat. 718, which enacted this chapter, is popularly known as the "Architectural Barriers Act of 1968".
Applicability of 1976 Amendment to Leases Entered Into Before, On, or After January 1, 1977
Pub. L. 94–541, title II, §202, Oct. 18, 1976, 90 Stat. 2508, provided that: "The amendment made by paragraph (1) of section 201 of this Act [amending this section] shall not apply to any lease entered into before January 1, 1977. It shall apply to every lease entered into on or after January 1, 1977, including any renewal of a lease entered into before such date which renewal is on or after such date."
About This Section
42 U.S.C. § 4151 is part of Title 42 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.
This section may be cited in legal writing as 42 U.S.C. § 4151. For the most current official text, including any recent amendments, use the official source links below. Do not rely on this page as the sole authority for legal citation or litigation.
How to Read This Statute
Statutes are organized by title, chapter, section, and subsection. Pay attention to words like "shall," "may," "and," and "or," because they determine whether a requirement is mandatory or permissive and whether multiple conditions must all be met. Historical notes and amendments often appear at the end of a section.
Using This Page
This page is intended for research and educational use. Lawyers, students, journalists, and compliance professionals can use it as a starting point, but should always verify the current text through an official government source before relying on it for legal advice, filings, or compliance decisions.