What Are the ADA Texas Accessible Parking Guidelines?
Designing a new parking lot for your business is an opportunity to improve the curb appeal of your property while creating a knockout customer experience. While you can incorporate many optional features to enhance your lot’s safety and efficiency, several legal requirements exist to improve your property’s accessibility. ADA Texas accessible parking guidelines aim to accommodate those with disabilities, ensuring everyone can visit your business.
Texas accessibility standards apply to all commercial, public and government properties. Here’s what you need to know.
How Many Accessible Parking Spaces Does My Lot Need?
Accessible parking requirements vary based on the size and capacity of your parking lot. For lots that can accommodate up to 100 spots, you generally need one accessible space for every 25 standard spaces.
For example, a lot with 25 spots would need at least one accessible space. But a lot with 30 would need two.
If you have a lot that can hold between 100 and 200 vehicles, you’ll need two additional spaces per 50 spots. So, parking lots with capacities up to 150 will require five accessible parking spaces, and lots with up to 200 spaces will need six.
Massive parking lots with a capacity between 300 and 500 need an accessible space per 100 spots. With a maximum capacity of 500, the lot needs at least nine accessible parking spaces.
Texas standards and parking lot codes differ with massive parking lots and structures. For lots that hold 501 to 1,000 spaces, the ADA Texas accessible parking guidelines state that two percent of the total spaces must be accessible. In lots that accommodate 1,000 spaces and more, you need at least 20 accessible spots and one additional space per 100 spots over 1,000.
There are also ADA Texas accessible parking guidelines based on the type of facility the lot supports.
Do ADA Texas Accessible Parking Guidelines Reference Location?
In addition to determining how many accessible spots you need, Texas standards and parking lot codes reference location requirements. All spaces serving a specific business should have the shortest accessible route to the entrance. If there are designated accessible entrances, the spots should be closest to those.
For lots that serve multiple buildings, the parking spaces should be as close as possible to the nearest accessible pedestrian entrance.
How Big Should Each Space Be to Meet Accessible Parking Requirements?
Texas accessibility standards state that all designated spaces must be at least 96 inches wide (8 feet). In parking structures or spaces with shade coverage, vertical clearance must be at least 114 inches (9.5 feet).
In addition to having wider spaces, Texas accessibility codes require the creation of access aisles. These aisles must be at least 60 inches (5 feet) wide and 240 inches (20 feet) long. Two accessible parking spaces can share an access aisle.
But if you have several accessible spaces, you may also need van-accessible spots. Texas accessibility standards state that one in every eight accessible spaces should be van-accessible and have the appropriate signage. The access aisles for these spots must be at least 96 inches (8 feet) wide.
Do Texas Accessibility Standards Include Pathways?
There are a few parking requirements covering routes. Your property needs well-marked accessible routes connecting designated parking spaces, accessible entrances, access aisles and public streets or sidewalks. There should also be accessible routes connecting multiple buildings if applicable.
Routes should have proper striping and include accessible ramps.
What Signage Do ADA Texas Accessible Parking Spots Need?
All accessible spaces must have proper striping, including the International Symbol of Access (ISA). They also need signs that are still visible with parked vehicles. Signage should designate the spots reserved and include the ISA. If your lot has van-accessible parking, you’ll need an additional sign below the ISA to clarify the spot’s purpose.
Need help understanding Texas accessibility codes for your parking lot? Let the team at Advanced Texas Striping help! We’re a veteran-owned and -operated business that understands the importance of accessible standards and parking lot codes. We can help you develop an accommodating, functional, and safe parking lot layout design for your business. We also provide services for parking lot striping, re-striping, warehouse striping and ADA-compliant markings.
When you turn to Advanced Texas Striping, you benefit from industry-leading equipment and proven application techniques. We use laser-guided equipment to ensure precision and consistency. Our team strives to exceed your expectations, and we work hard to provide solutions that benefit your business.
Contact us today to get your free job quote. You can call us at (817) 600-5975, email us at mark@atstriping.net or submit our online contact form. We look forward to hearing from you and showing you why we’re one of the best parking lot striping companies in DFW!