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Parking Spaces

Handicap Accessible

When state or local governments, businesses and non-profit organizations provide parking lots or garages, accessible parking spaces complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) must be provided.

Accessible parking spaces are different than traditional parking spaces. They have specific features that make it easier for people with disabilities to access your programs, goods or services.

Features

Location

In parking lots or garages, accessible parking spaces must be located on the shortest accessible route to the accessible entrance. An accessible route is the path a person with a disability takes to enter and move through a building or facility.

Access Aisles

Accessible parking spaces must have access aisles. Access aisles provide a designated area for people who use wheelchairs or other mobility devices to get in and out of their car or van. Mobility devices allow people with disabilities to move about independently. They include walkers, canes, crutches, braces, manual or power wheelchairs, Segways, and electric scooters.

Access aisles must be:

Marked (to discourage drivers from parking in them

The same length as the space

Level with the parking space

Two accessible parking spaces can share an access aisle with the access aisle between the two parking spaces (except in angled parking).

An access aisle can be placed on either side of the parking space (except in angled parking where it must be located on the passenger side of the parking space).

Parking Spaces

Accessible parking spaces must be provided for cars and vans.

Car accessible spaces must:

Be at least 96 inches wide

Have an access aisle at least 60 inches wide

Have no more than a 1.48 (2.08%) slope in all directions

Have a surface that is firm, stable, and slip-resistant

Have a sign with the international symbol of accessibility on it, mounted at least 60 inches above the ground (measured to the bottom of the sign)

Van accessible spaces must (pick option #1 or #2)

Option #1

Be at least 132 inches wide

Have an access aisle at least 60 inches wide

Have no more than a 1:48 (2.08%) slope in all directions

Provide at least 98 inches of vertical clearance (van height) for the parking space, access aisle, and vehicular route

Have a surface that is firm, stable, and slip-resistant

Have two signs, mounted at least 60 inches above the ground (measured to the bottom of the sign

First sign: international symbol of accessibility

Second sign: stating that the space is van accessible

Option #2

Be at least 96 inches wide

Have an access aisle at least 96 inches wide

Have no more than a 1.49 (2.08%) slope in all directions

Provide at least 98 inches of vertical clearance for the parking space, access aisle and vehicular route

Have a surface that is firm, stable and slip-resistant

Have two signs, mounted at least 60 inches above the ground (measured to the bottom of the sign

First sign: international symbol of accessibility

Second sign: stating that the space is van accessible

Calculating Accessible Parking Spaces

The number of accessible parking spaces must be considered separately for each parking structure (lot or garage), not based on the total number of parking spaces provided on a site.

The chart below shows the number of accessible spaces required by the ADA Standards for Accessible Design.

Total Number of Parking Spaces Provided in a Parking Lot or Facility	A) Minimum Number of Accessible Parking Spaces Required	B) Minimum Number of Van Accessible Sparking Spaces
1 to 25	1	1
26 to 50	2	1
51 to 75	3	1
76 to 100	4	1
101 to 150	5	1
151 to 200	6	1
201 to 300	7	2
301 to 400	8	2
401 to 500	9	2
501 to 1000 *	2% of total parking provided in each lot or structure	1/6 of Column A (one out of every 6 accessible spaces)
1001 and over *	20, plus 1 for each 100, or fraction thereof, over 1000	1/6 of Column A (one out of every 6 accessible spaces)
* At least one of every six spaces must be van accessible.

Special Parking Conditions

Limited Parking

Where parking spaces are limited to four or fewer spaces:

One van accessible parking space must be provided

A sign identifying the accessible space is not required

Parking at Hospital Facilities

Hospital Outpatient Facilities

Ten percent of patient and visitor parking must be accessible. At least one of every six accessible parking spaces must be van accessible.

Rehabilitation Facilities

Twenty percent of patient and visitor parking must be accessible. At least one of every six accessible parking spaces must be van accessible.

Outpatient Physical Therapy Facilities

Twenty percent of patient and visitor parking must be accessible. At least one of every six accessible parking spaces must be van accessible.

Signs

Accessible parking spaces must be identified by signs that include the International Symbol of Accessibility. Signs at van-accessible spaces must include the additional phrase “van-accessible.”

Signs should be mounted so that the lower edge of the sign is at least five (5) feet above the ground. This helps ensure visibility both for motorists and local enforcement officials.

Exceptions

Small parking lots of four or fewer spaces must have accessible spaces, but those spaces do not need a sign and anyone, with or without a disability, can park in the accessible space. This is intended so very small entities do not have to reserve 25% to 100% of their available parking for individuals with disabilities.

Residential facilities where parking spaces are assigned to specific dwelling units are also not required to post signs at accessible spaces.

Note: These two exceptions only relate to signs; accessible parking spaces are still required.

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Most recent revision July 02, 2025 06:18:59 AM

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