| Quick Summary Accessible parking is essential for creating safe, inclusive spaces that meet ADA standards. This guide explains how access aisles support mobility for people using wheelchairs or other aids and outlines key requirements for layout, signage, and compliance in parking lots, garages, and residential facilities. Who This Is For Property owners planning or updating parking areas Developers and contractors designing new facilities Facility managers are responsible for accessibility compliance Key Takeaways Access aisles provide space for safe entry and exit for people with mobility aids ADA standards define required dimensions, signage, and clearances Proper design ensures safety, accessibility, and compliance across all property types |
Accessible Parking Spaces
Accessible parking is a legal and functional requirement in every modern parking design. Accessible parking spaces must comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which mandates that state or local laws, businesses, and non-profits provide access to parking for people with disabilities.
These spaces differ from standard parking spaces because they include access aisles, signage, proximity to accessible entrances, and dimensions tailored to individuals using mobility aids like wheelchairs, walkers, and other mobility aids.
The goal is simple: improve access to public accommodations, programs, and services. Whether in parking lots, garages, or residential facilities, accessible spaces are essential for allowing everyone safe and equal access.
Access Aisle Requirements
The access aisle is a critical component of an accessible parking space. It provides room for wheelchair users and those with mobility aids to safely exit and enter vehicles.
According to ADA standards, access aisles shall not overlap the vehicular way or parking spaces. They may be placed on either side of the space, except for angled van parking spaces, which must have the van access aisle on the passenger side. This ensures that wheelchair lifts typically installed on that side can be safely deployed into comparatively unrestricted vehicular lanes.
The common access aisle may serve two parking spaces when properly designed. All access aisles serving van accessible spaces must meet width and technical requirements, allowing for clear maneuverability and safety.
Calculating Accessible Spaces Required
Determining the correct number of accessible spaces required involves more than simply counting total parking spaces provided. The 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design define how to calculate this, and each parking structure, garage, or lot must be evaluated separately.
A fraction thereof in the number of total spaces requires rounding up, not down. This ensures that people with disabilities always have access, regardless of how the parking facility is divided.
Parking Facilities and Design
The ADA defines parking facilities as any parking structure, surface lot, or garage, including facilities that are segmented by landscaping or drive aisles. If parking lots are connected and on the same level, they can be considered one facility. But if vehicular traffic lanes or streets divide them, they’re treated as separate facilities. Accessible parking spaces must be provided in each parking facility, not just one centralized location.
Accessible Parking in Specific Facilities
Certain facilities have stricter guidelines. For example, hospital outpatient facilities must designate at least 10% of patient and visitor parking as accessible parking. This rule also applies to outpatient physical therapy facilities and rehabilitation facilities, especially those offering ongoing treatment without overnight stays.
Van parking spaces must also be considered, with van accessible spaces available to both patients and visitors.
Accessible Route Considerations
The accessible route must be the shortest accessible route from the accessible parking spaces to the accessible entrance. This route must avoid vehicular traffic lanes whenever possible and connect adjacent surfaces with minimal slope and obstruction.
Walking surfaces along this route must be firm, stable, and slip-resistant. Changes in elevation should be gradual, with no sharp or abrasive elements.
Parking Lot Design
In parking lots, the ADA requires a combination of accessible spaces, van accessible parking, and access aisles. These spaces must be near accessible entrances, clearly marked, and built on the same level as the main facility when possible.
Parking lots must also provide access aisles complying with ADA standards, giving space for wheelchair lifts, mobility aids, and vehicle pull-up space for passenger loading. This is not just about code compliance; it’s also about pedestrian safety and ease of use.
Garage Parking Considerations
In garage parking facilities, ADA standards apply equally, including below-grade and multi-level garages. Each garage is treated as a separate parking facility, which means accessible spaces are required in each individual structure, not just the surface lot above.
Van accessible parking spaces must also be included, and grouped van spaces may be located on a single level if vertical clearance is provided. The required minimum vertical clearance for van accessible areas is 98 inches, including along the vehicular route to and from the space.
Alterations and Additions to Parking Facilities
If you modify or expand a parking area, you’re required to add accessible parking spaces. This includes changes like resurfacing vehicular traffic lanes or adding new parking spaces. These are considered alterations under the ADA.
However, routine maintenance such as pothole repair or repainting existing striping is not considered an alteration and does not trigger new requirements.
When alterations are made, they must follow the scoping tables in the ADA standards and apply to the entire length of the modification area.
Valet Parking and Accessibility
Even with valet-only services, accessible parking spaces must still be provided. This is because vehicles equipped for people with disabilities may not be usable by valets, and valet parking may not be offered during all hours of operation.
Additionally, facilities offering valet service must also provide an accessible passenger loading zone with sufficient vehicle pull-up space, gripping surfaces, and clear accessible routes from the drop-off point.
Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
While the ADA standards do not yet have dedicated guidelines for accessible EV charging stations, best practices suggest designing EV stations to be usable by people with disabilities. These accessible spaces cannot count toward the minimum required accessible parking spaces, so they must be treated as additional.
Making EV charging stations accessible benefits everyone and future-proofs your facility as regulations evolve.
Pay Stations and Accessibility
Pay stations or ticket dispensers serving accessible parking spaces must be reachable via an accessible route, with clear floor space, proper operable parts, and controls within reach ranges.
Devices meant to be used from inside vehicles are exempt from some requirements, but must provide alternative accommodations for users with mobility aids. Features such as non-circular cross-section handles and handrails provided along approaches are encouraged to meet usability standards.
Identification of Accessible Parking
Every accessible parking space must be marked with a sign showing the International Symbol of Accessibility. For van spaces, the sign must include the phrase “van accessible” even though it doesn’t restrict use solely to vans.
Signs must be mounted at least 60 inches from the ground to remain visible over parked vehicles. Surface paint alone is not enough. Crash rails, bumper guards, or any obstructions that might discourage parking in accessible areas should be avoided.
Vertical Clearance Requirements
Vertical clearance is a crucial part of van accessible design. The standard is 98 inches for both van spaces and the van access aisle, including the vehicular route leading to and from these areas.
If van accessible spaces are grouped in a garage, they must all meet this requirement and be on the same level, with smooth walking surfaces and no abrasive elements in the way.
Accessible Parking in Residential Facilities
In residential developments, accessible parking spaces must be proportional to the number of dwelling units and parking spaces provided. These ratios ensure that residents with disabilities have equal access to accessible spaces near their homes.
Residential parking facilities must meet all applicable ADA standards, including the requirements for access aisles and routes, along with appropriate vehicular clearance.
Why Accessible Parking Design Matters
Accessible parking is a cornerstone of safe, inclusive design for any facility. Whether you’re developing parking lots, garages, or residential complexes, ensuring that your design includes accessible parking spaces, access aisles, and the shortest accessible route to an accessible entrance is both a legal obligation and a moral one.
At Rocky Mountain Striping, we understand the intricacies of ADA standards and can help you design, mark, and maintain van accessible parking, passenger loading zones, and compliant parking facilities that meet the needs of all users.
