ADA Standards & Parking Stop Design Guide

Accessible Parking Spaces

When a business, state or local government agency or other covered entity restripes a parking lot, it must provide accessible parking spaces as required by the ADA Standards for Accessible Design. Failure to do so would violate the ADA. In addition, businesses or privately owned facilities that provide goods or services to the public have a continuing ADA obligation to remove barriers to access in existing parking lots when it is readily achievable to do so. Because restriping is relatively inexpensive, it is readily achievable in most cases.


Accessible Parking Spaces for Cars

Accessible parking spaces for cars have at least a 60-inch-wide access aisle located adjacent to the designated parking space. The access aisle is just wide enough to permit a person using a wheelchair to enter or exit the car. These parking spaces are identified with a sign and located on level ground.

Van-Accessible Parking Spaces for Cars

  1. Van-accessible parking spaces are the same as accessible parking spaces for cars except for three features needed for vans:
  1. A wider access aisle (96 in.) to accommodate a wheelchair lift
  2. Vertical clearance to accommodate van height at the van parking space, the adjacent access aisle, and on the vehicular route to and from the van-accessible space
  3. An additional sign that identifies the parking spaces as “van accessible.”

Location

Accessible parking spaces must be located on the shortest accessible route of travel to an accessible facility entrance. Where buildings have multiple accessible entrances with adjacent parking, the accessible parking spaces must be dispersed and located closest to the accessible entrances. When accessible parking spaces are added in an existing parking lot, locate the spaces on the most level ground close to the accessible entrance. An accessible route must always be provided from the accessible parking to the accessible entrance. An accessible route never has curbs or stairs, must be at least 3 ft. wide, and has a firm, stable, slip-resistant surface. The slope along the accessible route should not be greater than 1:12 in the direction of travel.

Accessible parking spaces might be clustered in one or more lots if equivalent or greater accessibility is provided in terms of distance from the accessible entrance, parking fees and convenience. Van-accessible parking spaces located in parking garages may be clustered on one floor (to accommodate the 98-in. minimum vertical height requirement).


Free Technical Assistance

Answers to technical and general questions about restriping parking lots or other ADA requirements are avail able by telephone on weekdays. You may also order the ADA Standards for Accessible Design and other ADA publications, including regulations for private businesses or State and local governments, at any time day or night. Information about ADA-related IRS tax credits and deductions is also available from the ADA Information Line.


Internet

You can also review or download information on the Department’s ADA Internet site at any time. The site provides access to ADA regulations, technical assistance materials, and general ADA information. It also provides links to other Federal agencies, and updates on new ADA requirements and enforcement efforts located at www.usdoj.gov and www.ada.gov.

Reference: ADA Standards for Accessible Design(28 CFR Part 36):

  1. 4.1.6 Alterations
  2. 4.1.2 Accessible Sites and Exterior Facilities: New Construction
  3. 4.1.6 Parking and Passenger Loading Zones

Duplication of this document is encouraged.