ADA Handicapped Parking Regulations
The ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) requires that public and commercial places have parking spaces available for those with disabilities. There are specific requirements that must be met to comply with this law. Businesses can be fined for not providing these spaces, and non-handicapped individuals can be fined for using them inappropriately. Below are some basic guidelines about these parking regulations.
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Identification
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The ADA provides guidelines and laws to ensure that those with disabilities have equal opportunities in regards to employment, access to public and/or commercial space, state and government services, transportation options and other services. Complaints may be filed through the ADA to help ensure that their regulations are being followed. One area that is regulated by the ADA is parking spaces (see Resources below).
Size
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To meet ADA requirements, a handicapped parking space must be large enough for a vehicle plus an additional space to the right or left of the vehicle to allow a wheelchair to exit the vehicle. There needs to be an access space of at least 8 feet wide for a space that is designated as "van accessible," and 5 feet wide for a space that is designated for a car. This access space is to accommodate the room needed to maneuver a wheelchair or scooter out of the car. In addition, for handicapped spaces that are designated for vans, there must be at least an 98-inch height clearance.
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Location
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The handicapped parking spaces must be located so they are the closest spots to the accessible entrance and should be on ground level. The only exception is if the closest space is on a slope or uneven surface that would make it difficult to maneuver a wheelchair through. In that case, the closest flat space should be designated for handicapped parking. There must also be an accessible route between the parking spot and the entrance way. On this route there cannot be stairs or sloped surfaces, and it must be slip-proof.
Features
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An ADA handicapped parking space must be identified with the international symbol of accessibility (see picture at the top of the article). This sign must be placed high enough that it will not be obstructed when a vehicle is parked there. For spaces that are designated as "van accessible," this sign must indicate that as well as in the picture shown here. There typically is a sign painted on the pavement as well (see below), but there are no ADA regulations on that.
Amount
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The ADA requires that 1 out of every 25 parking spots must be accessible to the handicapped, and 1 of every 8 of these handicapped parking spaces has to be van accessible. If you have 26 to 50 spaces, there must be handicapped parking for one car and one van; 51 to 75 parking spaces must allow for two cars and one van, and so forth. If you have 500 to 1,000 parking spaces, 2 percent of them must be handicapped accessible. For parking lots with over 1,000 spaces, 1 of every 100 spaces must be accessible.
Function
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In order to legally use and ADA handicapped parking space, you must have a special sticker. The first step is to talk with your doctor if you believe you have a qualifying disability. Each state varies slightly in the cost of the sticker and the exact process that needs to be followed to obtain one. Contact you local Department of Motor Vehicles to find out the regulations for your state. If you are caught parking illegally in one of these spaces, you can be fined anywhere from $100 and up to $500, depending on your city's regulations.
Considerations
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Remember that some people have what is called a "hidden" disability. They may be dealing with a very challenging medical condition, but there may be no outward signs. On the other hand, if you drive someone with a disability and have a sticker, try to refrain from using the space if they are not in the car with you. There are currently no laws to make this distinction, so if you have a sticker on your car but you are not handicapped, you can use the space. However, this can be abused if used by everyone who drives the car.
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Resources
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Comments
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Brucetta Lee
Jan 26, 2011
This is really great basic information except, what if a parking lot hasn't any marked parking lines at all. You park wherever you please. How do you count the number of spaces to figure out the number of mandatory spaces must ba handicapped?
