Bill,
If this is the only access, you bet it can be cited. BOCA, or IBC either one require certain spacing for access halls. The minimum, applying all exceptions, etc, would be 2 feet, and IF it is the emergency egress path for anyone working in there, it's gotta be 3 feet minimum.
Lemme know if you need, I don't carry those books home with me, but can look it up for ya.
