The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) transformed how we design and build publicly accessible spaces. The federal law prohibits discrimination against those with disabilities and mobility issues, requiring property owners and managers to make accommodations inside and out. While many are familiar with automatic doors, wider doorway construction standards, and workplace accommodations, parking lot striping must also be ADA-compliant. In this blog, we'll cover the basics of parking lot striping ADA compliance to help you understand what your property needs to be fully accessible to the public.
What Types of Features Do I Need to Met Parking Lot Striping ADA Compliance Standards?
The ADA-compliant features most people are familiar with are accessible stalls. Located closest to the building, these spots offer the shortest possible route to an entrance. They're specifically reserved for those with a disabled parking permit, and every parking lot that's accessible to the public needs them.
Striping companies in Utah create accessible stalls for lots of all sizes, complying with both federal and state laws to meet minimum capacity and size requirements.
Do Parking Lot Striping ADA Guidelines Dictate What Size Accessible Stalls Need to Be?
According to federal law, accessible parking spots must be at least 96 inches wide. Parking lot line painters must take accurate measures before creating clear left and right boundary lines. But that's not all.
Every ADA stall needs an attached access aisle. This aisle space must be at least 60 inches wide. Parking lot painting professionals often optimize space by allowing two spots to share a single access aisle. That's perfectly legal under federal and state law, but every ADA-compliant stall needs to be adjacent to one.
Additionally, parking lots must have a specific number of van-accessible spots. We'll cover the minimum amount soon. These spots are wider and have different sizing requirements. The federal law provides two options.
The first is to have an expansive stall that measures 132 inches across, with an attached 60-inch access aisle. The second is to have a standard-sized stall with a wider 96-inch access aisle. Both options are fully compliant, and St George striping companies can help you determine which one is best suited for the property.
How Many ADA Stalls Should St George Striping Companies Create?
When completing a parking lot painting project, you must ensure you have the minimum number of ADA-compliant stalls. Federal law dictates how many accessible spots your parking lot needs based on its total capacity.
• 1 - 100 total spots: 1 accessible stall per 25 standard stalls, or fraction thereof
• 101 - 200 total spots: 4 accessible stalls plus 1 per 50 standard stalls above 101, or fraction thereof
• 201 - 500 total spots: 7 accessible stalls plus 1 per 100 standard stalls above 201, or fraction thereof
• 501 - 1,000 total spots: 2% of the total number of spots must be ADA-compliant
• 1,001 or more: 20 accessible stalls plus 1 per 100 standard stalls over 1,001, or fraction thereof
Once your parking lot line painter determines how many accessible stalls your property needs, they can determine how many van-accessible spots are required by law. According to the ADA, 1 of every 6 accessible parking spaces must be van-accessible.
Does Federal and State Law Require Signage In Addition to Parking Lot Paint?
Parking lot paint does much of the heavy lifting, but it's not enough to make accessible spots visible to those who need them. State and federal law require that you also install signs with the International Symbol of Accessibility (ISA) 60 inches above the pavement. That measurement applies to the distance from the pavement to the bottom of the sign.
Do Parking Lot Line Painters Need to Use Specific Colors?
Neither the federal government nor the state of Utah requires a specific color of parking lot paint. The only requirement is that parking lot painting must be clearly visible and in a high-contrast color. For most parking lot painting projects, contractors use white or blue.
While blue isn't required by law, some municipalities in Utah require the color for striping and cross-hatching. It also matches the requirements for the signage, which must have the ISA in white and blue. Consult striping companies in Utah that are familiar with applicable law and local standards to better understand your parking lot's needs.
What Happens If I Ignore Parking Lot Striping ADA Compliance?
Failing to bring your parking lot striping up to federal and state standards could cost you. For just a first-time violation, ADA non-compliance carries a penalty of up to $75,000. Subsequent offenses could cost up to $150,000.
Violations could also expose you to lawsuits and reputational harm. ADA compliance is not optional, and you could face serious financial repercussions while damaging your business and brand.
Keep in mind that it's not enough to hire contractors to apply ADA-compliant parking lot striping just once. Parking lot paint fades with time, so you must invest in ongoing maintenance to keep markings vibrant. If they fade, your parking lot could become non-compliant, leading to penalties and liability exposure.
Striping companies in Utah recommend reapplying paint once existing markings lose roughly 25% of their visibility. For standard parking lot painting formulas, that's usually every 18 to 24 months.
Don't risk becoming non-compliant. Prime Pave is here to ensure that your parking lot is safe, accessible, and fully compliant with federal, state, and local laws. We're familiar with complex regulatory requirements and will apply our expertise to protect your business and bottom line. Unlike other St George striping companies, we strive to do things by the book while delivering exceptional quality every time.
Call Prime Pave Today for a Free Consultation
In addition to parking lot striping, we offer asphalt paving, replacement, sealcoating, crack sealing, pothole repair, custom stenciling, asphalt cleaning, and more. Give Prime Pave a call at (435) 900-2884 today to learn more and request your free quote. You can also submit your information through our online form or email the team at Service@PrimePaveLLC.Com.
