ADA Compliance

The importance of meeting Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements in California for your parking lot can’t be overstated. Depending on your specific location, cities, counties, and the state of California can fine building owners who don’t have ADA-compliant parking lots. Likewise, if your parking lot doesn’t meet ADA requirements and someone gets hurt, you highly increase your chances of being sued over the injury.

If you don’t know whether your parking lot meets these requirements, Victory Asphalt offers a free audit to ensure your spaces meet current ADA and California building codes.

What is ADA Compliance?

People with disabilities are guaranteed equal opportunities under the Americans with Disabilities Act, or ADA, which prohibits discrimination and works to guarantee the rights of disabled individuals. In the ADA, property owners are barred from discriminating against individuals who have disabilities. Businesses aren’t in compliance if they don’t provide equal access to a primary function area. If this sounds somewhat familiar, it’s because the ADA is modeled after the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

The Americans with Disabilities Act applies specifically to three situations:

1. Government agencies at all levels, including local, county, state, and federal
2. Organizations or businesses that serve the general public
3. A company or organization that employs 15 or more people

Are there extra ADA requirements in California?

Yes, California does have additional ADA requirements above the federal guidelines. The federal ADA sets the minimums, while California’s Building Standards Code (Title 24) adds stricter provisions.

Who is Required to Meet Parking Lot ADA Regulations?

In order to comply with the ADA, even businesses that don’t directly serve the public must construct or alter facilities in a way that meets accessible design standards. Some of these standards include removing barriers in existing buildings when possible and providing auxiliary aids and services as needed.

All private companies, nonprofits, and charities that serve the public or employ 15 or more employees are also subject to the ADA.

What happens in California if my parking lot isn’t ADA compliant?

In California, an ADA violation can trigger state claims under the Unruh Civil Rights Act with statutory damages of at least $4,000 per violation plus the plaintiff’s attorney’s fees. Under the federal ADA, individuals can also sue in federal court to require you to fix the issues (injunctive relief) and recover attorney’s fees.

How Many Disabled Parking Spaces Do I Need?

Based on the total number of parking spaces in the lot, a minimum number of accessible parking spaces is required. A parking lot with 400 spaces requires eight accessible spaces. There must be two van-accessible spaces among those eight.

Hospital Outpatient Facilities

Accessible parking must make up at least ten percent (10%) of patient and visitor parking. A van-accessible parking space must be available in every sixth accessible parking space.

Rehabilitation Facilities

Accessible parking must make up twenty percent (20%) of parking spaces available to the public. For every 6 ADA-compliant disabled parking spaces, at least one space has to be van accessible.

Outpatient Physical Therapy Facilities

It is mandatory that twenty percent (20%) of patient and visitor parking is accessible. For every six accessible parking spaces, at least one van-accessible space must be available.

Do van-accessible spaces have different size requirements than car spaces?

Yes, van accessible spaces must be 144” wide vs a car space of 109” wide. Both widths are specific to California.

Van Accessible Spaces Requirements in California

• 98” Vertical Clearance
• 144” Wide (This is specific to CA. ADA only calls for 132”)
• 216” Long
• Signage Must Have the International Symbol of Accessibility and say, “Van Accessible”
• 96” Wide Access Aisle (This can be Shared with Adjacent Spaces)
• Must be Fitted with Curb Stops

Car Accessible Space Requirements in California

• Must Have the International Symbol of Accessibility
• 108” Wide (This is Specific to CA. ADA Only Calls for 96” Wide)
• 216” Long
• 60” Access Aisle. (This can be Shared with Adjacent Space)
• Maximum Slope of 1:48
• Must be Fitted with Curb Stops

Where Do Accessible Spaces Need to be Located?

Accessible spaces must be on the shortest accessible route to an accessible entrance of the building they serve; if there are multiple accessible entrances, spaces should be dispersed so each entrance is served. In garages that don’t serve a particular building, place them on the shortest accessible route to an accessible pedestrian entrance of the garage. In California (Title 24), the same rule applies, and spaces must connect directly to an accessible route, be on a nearly level surface (max 1:48 slope), and be arranged so users don’t have to pass behind other parked vehicles.

What are the Parking Lot Striping Requirements?

Accessible parking spaces must be marked with a 36″ × 36″ International Symbol of Accessibility, displayed white on blue. A permanent sign identifying the space must remain visible even when a vehicle is parked. The access aisle must be outlined in blue and filled with hatched lines in a color that contrasts with the pavement, and the words “No Parking” should be clearly painted inside the access aisle.

As local regulations and other factors change, accessibility needs may also change. Get a free audit and quote from Victory Paving for ADA-compliant restriping services to ensure you’re in compliance with the law.

What are the signage requirements for ADA parking stalls?

At a minimum (federal ADA), each accessible stall needs a posted sign with the International Symbol of Accessibility, mounted so the bottom of the sign is at least 60″ above the ground; van spaces must also be labeled “Van Accessible.”

In California (Title 24), signs must be reflectorized and have at least 70 sq in of area; an additional line stating “Minimum Fine $250” is required; and the sign must be visible from each space and placed at the head of the stall or immediately adjacent (80″ minimum clear height if it projects into a pedestrian circulation path).

California also ties in other posted notices: facilities typically need a tow-away sign at each entrance (min 17″×22″ with 1″ letters) and pavement markings such as “NO PARKING” inside access aisles (12″ letters) and, for the stall surface, a 36″×36″ ISA where used.

ADA Ramp Requirements