How to Stripe the Parking for ADA

The Americans with Disability Act (ADA) was passed in 1990 to help handicapped citizens safely maneuver public facilities. The act includes a set of guidelines that building owners and architects use to provide easy access for the handicapped person moving in and out of a parked car or van in a parking lot. Striping a parking lot can only occur after consulting the ADA regulations to learn the following: the number of handicapped parking spots required, the width of additional access corridors alongside handicapped parking spaces and the location of the parking spaces in proximity to the building entry.

Instructions

Preparation

1. Contact your state commission on disability or the city zoning, building or community development department to discover the regulations you need to follow. Ask for information on building codes for parking lots and ADA requirements. The ADA is a federal regulation that is followed and policed by each state's government.

2. Read through the regulations to locate required measurements. Make note of the minimum width requirements for parking lot aisles, parking spaces and additional handicapped access corridors. City municipal codes designate measurements for standard parking spaces as well as particular situations such as valet or medical parking. Remember, you are combining regular spaces with handicapped spaces.

3. Direct questions to the agency providing the parking regulation documents or refer to the ADA website to find out more about the requirements. Striping for handicapped spaces involves special attention to wheelchair access and clearance requirements. The number of handicapped spaces to be placed in each parking facility are designated by the ADA based on the total number of available spaces that can fit into the parking lot.

Stripe the Parking

1. Measure the parking area and layout a striping plan on paper. Creating the plan on paper first will reveal the best combination of spaces for the size of the parking lot. Combine the information you received from the city and the ADA to figure out how many spaces need to be striped and where the stripes need to be placed. Remember to include enough area for wheelchair accessibility.

2. Transfer the striping plan from paper onto the pavement. It is important to layout the plan before applying the painted stripe. Exact measuring and placement will keep you from violating any regulations. Accomplish this using chalk lines and a measuring tape.

3. Apply the stripes. Striping machines make quick work of striping parking lots. Professional striping machines can be found at home remodeling and hardware stores. Follow the city or state requirements for the correct color of paint to be used. Some may require a blue paint and others may indicate a color that provides a contrast between paint and pavement such as white or yellow. Check local regulations for instructions on the striping of access corridors that run alongside each handicapped space.

4. Paint the handicapped symbol on the pavement inside each handicapped parking space. Follow the directions in state and municipal codes for the exact placement and required paint color. Stencils of the handicap symbol can be purchased through local and online paint and sign stores.

5. Place the proper handicapped sign in front of the parking spaces. The ADA requires van accessible spaces to have a sign placed at the head of the space that is tall enough to be seen above a van parked in the handicapped space. The sign must read "Van Accessible" and contain the international accessibility symbol. An accessible space must also have a sign with the accessibility symbol clearly viewable when a car is parked in the space.

Tips & Warnings

• Disregarding state requirements could lead to fines.

• Businesses with existing parking lots must follow ADA requirements when it is time to re-stripe the lot.

References

• U.S. Department of Justice: Civil Rights Division; Disability Rights Section; ADA Design Guide 1 -- Restriping Parking Lots
• New Mexico Governor's Commission on Disability: New Mexico Accessible Parking Checklist
• City of Menlo Park: Community Development Department; Parking Stalls and Driveway Design Guidelines

Resources

• Americans with Disabilities Act