ADA Parking Requirements

It is the responsibility of property managers and owners to ensure their parking lots are compliant with ADA parking requirements or fines, injuries, and lawsuits may result.

Is your parking lot compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act? We partner with ADA experts throughout the country who know the local and federal regulations pertaining to parking lots, sidewalks, and related spaces. Our specialists will inspect your lot and surrounding areas to ensure the right accommodations are in place. From an adequate number of accessible spaces and properly designed ramps to clearly visible signs and markings, we’ll guide the way so you can provide safe and easy access.

Common Trouble Spots

To help you get started, we’ve outlined a few trouble spots (visible) and commonly overlooked areas (hidden) on a parking lot that may need to be addressed. Keep in mind this is just general information. For help with specific ADA parking requirements as well as tips on partnering with a certified ADA inspector, download our free ADA Parking Checklist.

Look for Visible Liabilities

The first step on the path to ADA compliance is to inspect your parking lots regularly and repair visible liabilities such as potholes, widespread cracking, and uneven transitions or other trip hazards in well-traveled areas. Next, take note of any missing signage as well as faded or missing markings identifying accessible parking, routes, and entrances and address them immediately.

How to Spot Hidden Liabilities

It’s not as easy to spot whether your parking lot has the proper number of ADA accessible spaces. To be compliant, the ratio of ADA designated parking spaces is based on the total number of spaces available in the parking facility. The location of these spaces is also important (they must be closest to the accessible entrance). Proper pavement slope is also hard to detect with the visible eye and can be easily overlooked. And, there are height and positioning requirements for all ADA signage.

ADA Parking Sign Requirements

Compliant and visible signage and markings are required to identify all ADA parking. Consult your state and/or municipality for nuances related to sharing post/bollard with other signs, fine tags (amount of fine, etc.), or other required complementary signage. Signage height from the pavement to bottom of the lowest affixed sign is 60” if not in the path of travel and 80” if in the path of travel. Specific requirements regarding layout and stencil of pavement markings are often dictated by the local state or municipal ordinance.

What Are Parking Space Slope Requirements?

Accessible routes shall have a 5% maximum longitudinal slope; 2% maximum cross slope. Ramp conditions have many factors that can change the requirements including width, size of landing, handrails, and total rise (in inches). As a general rule, however, the maximum slope for a ramp is 8.3%. Curb ramps shall have a minimum width of 36”, a maximum slope of 8.333%, and a maximum cross slope of 2.08%; please note that ramp wings may be a maximum of 1:10 (10%).