How Many Parking Spots Your Lot Needs for Disabled People

The governing body in the United States for these regulations is the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Established in 1990, the ADA is a comprehensive civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in all areas of public life. It provides guidelines for businesses and public facilities to ensure accessibility for all.

The ADA mandates certain size requirements for disabled parking spaces. A standard space should be 8 feet wide, with an adjacent access aisle of 5 feet. These measurements allow for the deployment of a wheelchair lift on vans, making the parking area more accessible for people with disabilities.

The ADA also sets the minimum number of accessible parking spaces based on the total number of parking spaces in the lot. For instance, if your lot has 1 to 25 spaces, you’ll need at least one accessible space. As the total number of spaces increases, so does the number of required accessible spaces.

Yes, your business will need van-accessible parking spaces. At least one of six accessible parking spaces must be van-accessible. If you are only required to have one ADA-compliant parking space, you must make that space van-accessible. These requirements are specified in the ADA guidelines and designed to accommodate the unique needs of disabled drivers and passengers.

Understanding the requirements for disabled parking in your business lot is essential. Your business could face penalties and/or legal action if you don’t supply an adequate number of parking lot spots for disabled people.

Lastly, don’t forget about other concerns, such as handicap parking space painting requirements. Precise Property Maintenance can help you with your ADA-compliant parking lot striping and ensure your business provides equal opportunities to all its patrons.