Civil Case Over ADA Compliance Could Impact Home Building Websites

Legal
Published

A California federal district court ruled on June 23 that Domino’s Pizza violated Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by offering a website that was not fully accessible to a visually impaired individual. In doing so, the court reinforced Ninth Circuit precedent holding that company websites having a “nexus” to a physical (i.e., brick-and-mortar) place of public accommodation are subject to the ADA.

The court further ruled that Domino’s call-in phone line was not an acceptable web accessibility substitute because the plaintiff was unable to reach a live person for more than 45 minutes. Although the $4,000 in damages awarded to the plaintiff was not significant, the court further approved the recovery of attorney fees, which are likely reach into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The case could impact builders, multifamily developers, remodelers and other businesses that offer goods or services through a website, if the site is not accessible to persons with disabilities. For example, if a builder’s website allows a potential buyer to select finishes, carpet type/color and other home options without the need to visit a physical sales office, the website should be designed with accessibility features to enable all potential buyers this same opportunity.

If you have any questions about the implications of this case, you are advised to consult with your local attorney.

The case is Guillermo Robles.v. Domino’s Pizza LLC, United States District Court, Central District of California (Case No. CV 16-6599-JGB).

Subscribe to NAHBNow

Log in or create account to subscribe to notifications of new posts.

Log in to subscribe

Latest from NAHBNow

Workforce Development

Apr 22, 2026

Jobsite Visits Offer Florida Teens Firsthand Look into the Trades

Through the Charlotte DeSoto Building Industry Association, Florida students are exploring the skilled trades by shadowing certified professionals on active jobsites.

Advocacy

Apr 21, 2026

NY Governor Spotlights Importance of Home Building at HBA Awards Ceremony

Highlighting her “Let Them Build” agenda, Hochul explained the struggle for young adults in the region to purchase an apartment or starter home, and her proposed solutions to help fix the issue.

View all

Latest Economic News

Economics

Apr 21, 2026

Population Growth and Housing Supply Dynamics at the County Level in 2025

U.S. population growth slowed notably in the latest Vintage 2025 population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau, with the nation expanding by just 0.5% in 2025, roughly half the pace of the prior year. The deceleration was primarily driven by a sharp decline in net international migration (NIM), which dropped from 2.7 million to 1.3 million, while natural change remained relatively stable.

Economics

Apr 20, 2026

Construction Workforce Shifts: Fewer Tradesmen, More White-Collar Jobs

The long-running shift in the construction labor force away from construction trades and toward management, business, and technical roles is ongoing and gaining momentum, according to NAHB’s analysis of the latest 2024 data from the American Community Survey (ACS).

Economics

Apr 17, 2026

Count of Second Homes Declines in 2024

In 2024, the number of second homes in the U.S. was 6.2 million, accounting for 4.3% of the nation’s housing stock, according to NAHB estimates. This reflects a modest decline from 2022, when the number reached 6.5 million. This decline suggests some cooling following the pandemic-era surge in second home demand.