ADA Parking Lot Striping Requirements: A Guide for Ohio Businesses

3 hours ago

2 min read

Striping is easy to overlook until it becomes a problem. Faded lines confuse drivers, waste space and make a property look neglected. Missing or incorrect accessible parking can also put a business out of compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

This guide covers the basics of ADA parking requirements under the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design. It is a starting point, not legal advice. Local codes can add requirements, so always confirm with your municipality before a restripe.

How Many Accessible Spaces Do You Need?

The number of accessible spaces is based on the total number of spaces in the lot:

1 to 25 spaces: 1 accessible space
26 to 50 spaces: 2
51 to 75 spaces: 3
76 to 100 spaces: 4
101 to 150 spaces: 5
151 to 200 spaces: 6
201 to 300 spaces: 7
301 to 400 spaces: 8
401 to 500 spaces: 9
501 to 1,000 spaces: 2 percent of the total

Lots over 1,000 spaces, and facilities like medical offices, have their own rules. If that applies to you, check the full standard or ask us during your estimate.

Van-Accessible Spaces

For every six accessible spaces, or any portion of six, at least one must be van accessible. That means even a small lot with a single accessible space needs that space to be van accessible. Van spaces need a wider space or a wider access aisle, plus adequate vertical clearance along the route.

Access Aisles

Every accessible space needs an access aisle next to it, at least 60 inches wide, marked so drivers know not to park there. Two accessible spaces can share one aisle. The aisle has to connect to an accessible route to the building entrance.

Freshly striped commercial parking lot with clear stall lines

Location, Slope and Signage

Location: Accessible spaces should be on the shortest accessible route to an accessible entrance.
Slope: Spaces and aisles need to be nearly level, which is why accessible spaces sometimes require paving work, not just paint.
Signage: Each accessible space needs a sign with the International Symbol of Accessibility, and van spaces need a van accessible designation. Ohio and local codes may add requirements for sign height and wording.

Common Mistakes We See

Restriping over old lines without checking whether the count still meets the standard.
No van-accessible space, or an aisle that is too narrow.
Accessible spaces placed on a slope or far from the entrance.
Faded aisle hatching that drivers ignore.
Missing or damaged signs.

When to Restripe

Restripe any time lines are hard to read, after every sealcoat, and whenever you change the layout. It is also smart to review the layout itself. A fresh design can sometimes improve traffic flow and add spaces without touching the pavement.

Get It Done Right

Tolliver & Curl stripes commercial lots across Columbus and Central Ohio, including stalls, fire lanes, arrows, crosswalks and accessible spaces. Learn more about our parking lot striping services, call (614) 272-7770, or request a free estimate.