ANSI Handicap Parking Requirements

The person in the wheelchair is a universal symbol that represents handicap access.

The American National Standards Institute oversees the creation and use of thousands of standards that impact businesses. The standard that deals with the handicapped was first introduced in 1961, but has been updated numerous times. ANSI handicap parking requirements are a voluntary standard, but many states and local municipalities have adopted the standard as enforceable code.

Size and Height

Handicap parking spaces under ANSI A117.1 need to be at least eight feet wide and be adjacent to a five foot wide access aisle. One aisle can serve two adjacent handicap parking spaces. Under ANSI recommendations, both the space and the aisle cannot be sloped more than two percent in all directions. There needs to be eight feet and two inches of vertical clearance over the space and the access aisle.

Location

Handicap parking spaces need to be located next to the shortest route from the parking lot to the main entrance of the building. If the parking area does not service any one building, then the handicap parking spaces need to be as close as possible to the nearest pedestrian entrance to the parking area. If the parking area services a building with multiple entrances, then the handicap parking spaces need to be divided between the available entrances.

Parking Space Requirements

Generally there needs to be one handicap parking space for every 25 regular spaces, up to 100 regular spaces and one handicap space for every 50 regular spaces between 100 and 200 regular spaces. For lots that hold between 200 and 500 regular spaces, recommendations call for one space for every 100 spaces.

On larger lots, between 500 and 1000 regular spaces, two percent of the spaces need to be handicap, and for lots with more than 1000 spaces, there needs to be 20 handicap spaces plus one for every 100 spaces over 1000.

Signage

Each handicap parking space must have it's own sign with the international symbol of access, along with a word indicating that the space is reserved for handicap parking only. The bottom of the sign must be at least five feet off of the ground, so that a parked car cannot block the sign.

Van Parking

For every eight handicap parking spaces, at least one must be designated as a van-accessible space. The van-accessible space must have an eight-foot-wide access aisle next to it. The van-accessible space and access aisle must have at least nine feet and five inches of vertical clearance.

Curb Ramps

For parking areas that have curbs between the parking and the building, a curb ramp is required. Curb ramps need to be at least three feet wide and located near the access aisle, but away from any location where it could be blocked by parked cars. The slope of the pavement leading up to and away from a curb ramp cannot exceed five percent.

References

• The Catholic University of America: ANSI A117.1 Cornerstone of U.S. Accessability Standards Development
• Clark County: Requirements for Parking Spaces Designated for the Handicapped
• Access-Board: ADA Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities
• Van Accessible Parking: Disabled Parking Specifications in Detail