Handicap Parking Space Requirements
Handicap parking spaces are mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The act outlines the minimum requirements for handicap parking, but each state has the authority to add more requirements to the guidelines.
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History
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The Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law in 1991. Any business or public building must have handicap parking available in new parking areas or parking areas that are re-striped.
Location
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Handicap parking spaces should be in a space closest to the building entrance or the closest area that is level. There needs to be an accessible level route from the car to the building entrance. If the building has several entrances, handicap spaces should be located near all the entrances.
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Size
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The parking space must allow space for a car as well as an extra space. ADA guidelines call for a handicap space to be at least 96 inches wide. Additionally, there must be an extra space that is at least five feet wide next to the parking space. This is called an access aisle and gives room for a wheelchair.
Van Accessible Spaces
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Van accessible handicap spaces must be at least eight feet. wide. The access aisle must be at least eight feet wide. One in every eight handicap parking spaces must be van accessible. If there is only one handicap parking space, it must be van accessible.
Passenger Loading Zones
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Passenger loading zones are required to be at least 60 inches wide and 20 feet long and must be located next to the pull-up space reserved for vehicles.
Vertical Clearance
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Handicap parking spaces must have a vertical clearance of at least 98 inches. In the passenger loading zone, the vertical clearance must be at least 114 inches.
Signs
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Handicap parking spaces must be designated by a sign showing the international handicap parking symbol. Van accessible spaces must also include the words "van accessible." The ADA does not require the handicap parking symbol to be painted on the asphalt, but many buildings do this.
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