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Accessible Parking Spaces
When a business, State or local government agency, or other covered
entity restripes a parking lot, it must provide accessible parking spaces
as required by the ADA Standards for Accessible Design. Failure to do
so would violate the ADA.
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 Design Guide 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:
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a
wider access aisle (96") to accommodate a wheelchair lift; |
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vertical
clearance to accommodate van height at the van parking space, the
adjacent access aisle, and on the vehicular route to and from the
van-accessible space, and an additional sign that identifies the parking
spaces as "van accessible." |
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One
of eight accessible parking spaces, but always at least one, must
be van-accessible. |
Features
of Accessible Parking Spaces for Cars
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Sign
with the international symbol of accessibility mounted high enough
so it can be seen while a vehicle is parked in the space. |
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If
the accessible route is located in front of the space, install wheelstops
to keep vehicles from reducing width below 36 inches. |
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Access
aisle of at least 60-inch width must be level (1:50 maximum slope
in all directions), be the same length as the adjacent parking space(s)
it serves and must connect to an accessible route to the building.
Ramps must not extend into the access aisle. |
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Boundary
of the access aisle must be marked. The end may be a squared or curved
shape. |
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Two
parking spaces may share an access aisle. |
Three
Additional Features for Van-Accessible Parking Spaces
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Sign
with "van accessible" and the international symbol of accessibility
mounted high enough so the sign can be seen when a vehicle is parked
in the space |
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96"
min. width access aisle, level (max. slope 1:50 in all directions),
located beside the van parking space |
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Min.
98-inch-high clearance at van parking space, access aisle, and on
vehicular route to and from van space |
Minimum
Number of Accessible Parking Spaces
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.
U.S. Department of Justice
ADA Information Line
800-514-0301 (voice) 800-514-0383 (tty)
Internet
You may also review or download information on the Department's ADA
Internet site at any time. The site provides access to ADA regulations,
technical assistance materials, and general ADA information. It also
provides links to other Federal agencies, and updates on new ADA requirements
and enforcement efforts. Internet address: http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm
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