U.S. Department of Justice
Civil Rights Division
Disability Rights Section

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Americans with Disabilities Act

ADA Business Brief:

Restriping Parking Lots

 

Accessible Parking Spaces

When a business restripes a parking lot, it must provide accessible parking spaces as required by the ADA Standards for Accessible Design.

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.

This ADA Business Brief provides key information about how to create accessible car and van spaces and how many spaces to provide when parking lots are restriped.

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

Van-accessible parking spaces are the same as accessible parking spaces for cars except for three features needed for vans:

 van with side-mounted lift lowered into access aisle

One of eight accessible parking spaces, but always at least one, must be van-accessible.

(illustration showing a van with a side-mounted wheelchair lift
lowered onto a marked access aisle at a van-accessible parking space.
A person using a wheelchair is getting out of the van.
A dashed line shows the route from the lift to the sidewalk.)

 

Minimum Number of Accessible Parking Spaces

ADA Standards for Accessible Design 4.1.2(5)

Total Number of Parking Spaces Provided (per lot) (Column A)
Total Minimum Number of Accessible Parking Spaces (60" & 96" aisles)
Van-Accessible Parking Spaces with min. 96" wide access aisle Accessible Parking Spaces with min. 60" wide access aisle
1 to 25 1 1 0
26 to 50 2 1 1
51 to 75 3 1 2
76 to 100 4 1 3
101 to 150 5 1 4
151 to 200 6 1 5
201 to 300 7 1 6
301 to 400 8 1 7
401 to 500 9 2 7
501 to 1000 2% of total parking provided in each lot 1/8 of Column A*

7/8 of Column A**

1001 and over

20 plus 1 for each 100 over 1000

1/8 of Column A*

7/8 of Column A**

* one out of every 8 accessible spaces ** 7 out of every 8 accessible parking spaces

Features of Accessible Parking Spaces for Cars

plan showing an accessible parking space for cars

(plan drawing showing an accessible parking space for cars
with a 96 inch wide designated parking space,
a 60 inch wide min. marked access aisle and the following notes)

 

Three Additional Features for Van-Accessible Parking Spaces

plan showing a van-accessible parking space

(plan drawing showing a van-accessible parking space
with a 96 inch wide designated parking space, a 96 inch wide min.
marked access aisle and the following notes)

 

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- feet 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 may 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-inch minimum vertical height requirement).

 

Free Technical Assistance

Answers to technical and general questions about restriping parking lots or other ADA requirements are available 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.

Department of Justice

ADA Information Line

800-514-0301 (voice)

833-610-1264 (TTY)

 

ADA Website and ADA Business Connection

You may also review or download information on the Department's ADA Internet site at any time. The site provides access to the ADA Business Connection and the ADA design standards, ADA regulations, ADA Policy Letters, technical assistance materials, and general ADA information. It also provides links to other Federal agencies, and updates on new ADA requirements and enforcement efforts.

 

PDF version Restriping Parking Lots Business Brief

ADA Business Connection

 

January 22, 2002