TruTec Blog
If you're looking up ADA parking requirements, you're probably in the middle of something specific. Maybe you're designing a parking lot and need the exact stall counts. Maybe you're auditing an existing site and trying to figure out what's missing before an inspector does it for you. Or maybe you're bidding a paving or sealcoat job and you don't want "ADA compliance" turning into a surprise change order that eats your margin. Getting your construction estimates right from the start is the only way to protect yourself.
Whatever brought you here, this guide covers the actual requirements. Not a vague overview, not a summary of a summary. We're talking dimensions, scoping tables, van formulas, slope tolerances, and the edge cases that trip up experienced contractors all the time.
Important: ADA is a federal baseline. State and local codes can be stricter (and they often are). Always confirm with your AHJ (authority having jurisdiction) and project counsel before finalizing a design. Nothing in this guide is legal advice.
ADA Parking Requirements: Key Numbers to Know
Before we get into the details, here's the minimum you need to know before drawing a single stripe.
1. Count parking spaces per parking facility, not per site.
If a property has multiple lots or garages, you calculate the minimum accessible spaces separately for each parking facility. Accurate stall counts start with accurate parking lot measurements, which is where most errors come from in the first place.
2. Use the ADA scoping table to determine the minimum number of accessible spaces. (We break this down with the full table below.)
3. Make enough of them van-accessible.
At least 1 of every 6 accessible spaces (or fraction of 6) must be van-accessible. The formula: van spaces = ceil(accessible spaces / 6), per the ADA.gov accessible parking guidance.
4. Get the dimensions right.
Car-accessible space: 96 inches wide with a 60-inch access aisle
Van-accessible space: either a 132-inch stall with a 60-inch aisle, or a 96-inch stall with a 96-inch aisle
Slopes can't exceed 1:48 (about 2.08%) in any direction, per the 2010 ADA Standards
Van routes need 98 inches of vertical clearance
Signs must have the ISA symbol, bottom at least 60 inches above ground, and van spaces must say "van accessible"
All of these come from the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design and the ADA.gov parking requirements page.
The ADA.gov accessible parking page is the official federal reference for all requirements covered in this guide. Bookmark it as your go-to source alongside this guide.
The Purpose Behind ADA Parking Requirements
It's easy to think of accessible parking as "a blue box in the lot." But the requirements exist because accessible parking is a system that has to work for a real person.
Think about what actually needs to happen. Someone using a wheelchair or a mobility device needs enough width to open their vehicle door fully and deploy a ramp or lift. They need a surface that's stable and close to level so they can transfer safely. They need a continuous accessible route from their parking space to the building entrance, one that doesn't force them to hop curbs or move through active traffic. And van users specifically need vertical clearance because their vehicles are taller and their ramps need room to operate.
Every dimension, every slope tolerance, every aisle width is solving a real problem for a real person.
Once you understand that, the requirements stop feeling like arbitrary regulation and start feeling like engineering constraints.
How to Calculate the Number of Accessible Parking Spaces
This is where most ADA parking compliance starts (and where a surprising number of projects go wrong).
ADA Requires Separate Calculations per Parking Facility
You calculate the minimum number of accessible spaces separately for each parking facility. Each lot, each garage, each deck gets its own calculation. Not the whole site total. This is straight from the ADA.gov accessible parking guidance. The first step is always knowing exactly how many total spaces exist in each facility, and AI-powered takeoff tools can give you that count from aerial imagery in seconds.
The ADA Scoping Table
This is the core scoping chart from the 2010 ADA Standards (also summarized on ADA.gov) that tells you exactly how many accessible spaces you need:
| Total Spaces in Lot or Garage | Minimum Accessible Spaces |
|---|---|
| 1 to 25 | 1 |
| 26 to 50 | 2 |
| 51 to 75 | 3 |
| 76 to 100 | 4 |
| 101 to 150 | 5 |
| 151 to 200 | 6 |
| 201 to 300 | 7 |
| 301 to 400 | 8 |
| 401 to 500 | 9 |
| 501 to 1,000 | 2% of total |
| 1,001 and up | 20 + 1 per 100 over 1,000 |
Then apply the van rule:
Van spaces required = ceil(accessible spaces / 6)
ADA Parking Space Count: Worked Examples
Let's run through a few real scenarios so the math is clear.
A lot with 63 spaces.
That falls in the 51 to 75 range, so you need a minimum of 3 accessible spaces. Van spaces = ceil(3/6) = 1 van-accessible space.
A lot with 225 spaces.
That's in the 201 to 300 range, so 7 accessible spaces minimum. Van spaces = ceil(7/6) = 2 van-accessible spaces.
A garage with 640 spaces.
For lots above 500, it's 2% of total. That's ceil(0.02 x 640) = ceil(12.8) = 13 accessible spaces. Van spaces = ceil(13/6) = 3 van-accessible spaces. (This matches the Access Board's expanded table for the 601 to 650 range.)
A garage with 1,125 spaces.
For lots above 1,000, the formula is 20 + 1 per 100 (or fraction) over 1,000. So: 20 + ceil((1125-1000)/100) = 20 + 2 = 22 accessible spaces. Van spaces = ceil(22/6) = 4 van-accessible spaces, per ADA.gov.
The Counting Mistake That Fails Most ADA Inspections
Here's where projects get burned.
The mistake: "The site has 900 spaces total, so we need 18 accessible spaces total."
The reality: If those 900 spaces are spread across three separate lots, you calculate each one separately. A 400-space lot needs 9, a 300-space lot needs 7, and a 200-space lot needs 6. That's 22 total, not 18.
Calculating per facility instead of per site can increase the total required accessible spaces. This is exactly the mistake that leads to failed inspections and expensive rework.
Using automated parking lot measurements for each individual facility eliminates the guesswork that causes these costly counting errors.
ADA Parking Rules for Hospitals, Rehab Facilities, and Small Lots
The standard scoping table handles most projects. But there are edge cases that most ADA parking guides skip entirely, and they matter.
The U.S. Access Board Chapter 5 Parking Guide is the definitive technical reference for accessible parking design, including special facility rules and dimensional requirements cited throughout this guide.
ADA Rules for Lots with 4 or Fewer Spaces
If total parking is limited to 4 spaces or fewer, the ADA.gov guidance says:
Provide 1 van-accessible space
A sign identifying the accessible space isn't required (though your local jurisdiction may still want one)
The Access Board's parking guide also notes this sign exception, referencing Section 216.5 of the standards.
ADA Parking Requirements for Hospital Outpatient Facilities
10% of patient and visitor spaces serving hospital outpatient facilities must be accessible. That's a significant jump from the standard table, per ADA.gov.
ADA Parking for Rehab and Physical Therapy Facilities
Even higher: 20% of patient and visitor spaces serving rehab facilities that specialize in mobility conditions and outpatient physical therapy facilities must be accessible, according to the ADA.gov parking requirements.
ADA Parking Requirements for Residential Facilities
Residential parking has its own ruleset, including requirements tied to mobility units and a 2% calculation for additional spaces beyond the basic per-unit scenario. These are detailed in the 2010 ADA Standards.
ADA Rules for Valet Parking Facilities
If a property offers valet parking and has parking spaces on the same site, accessible spaces must still be provided for self-parking. An accessible passenger loading zone is also required. This is covered in the Access Board's parking chapter.
Here's a quick reference for the special scoping cases:
| Facility Type | Accessible Parking Requirement |
|---|---|
| Standard lots (1-500 spaces) | Per scoping table above |
| Lots 501-1,000 spaces | 2% of total |
| Lots 1,001+ spaces | 20 + 1 per 100 over 1,000 |
| Hospital outpatient | 10% of patient/visitor spaces |
| Rehab / outpatient PT | 20% of patient/visitor spaces |
| 4 or fewer total spaces | 1 van-accessible space (sign may not be required) |
ADA Parking Space Dimensions: Width, Aisle, and Slope Requirements
You can have the right number of accessible spaces and still fail the project if the geometry is wrong. This is the section where inspections and lawsuits happen.
Car-Accessible Parking Space Requirements
According to ADA.gov, car-accessible parking spaces must meet these requirements:
Width: 96 inches minimum (that's 8 feet)
Access aisle: 60 inches wide minimum (5 feet)
Slope: 1:48 maximum (about 2.08%) in all directions, per the 2010 ADA Standards
Surface: firm, stable, and slip-resistant
Signage: ISA symbol sign with the bottom at least 60 inches above the ground
Van-Accessible Parking Space Requirements
Van spaces exist because wheelchair ramps and lifts need more room, and vans are taller. You can meet the van requirement with either of two layouts:
| Layout | Stall Width | Aisle Width | Total Width |
|---|---|---|---|
| Option 1 | 132 inches (11 ft) | 60 inches (5 ft) | 192 inches (16 ft) |
| Option 2 | 96 inches (8 ft) | 96 inches (8 ft) | 192 inches (16 ft) |
Both options are documented on ADA.gov.
Either way, van-accessible spaces also need:
98 inches of vertical clearance (minimum) for the stall, aisle, and the entire vehicular route to and from the space
Signage with both the ISA symbol and a "van accessible" designation, with the sign bottom at 60 inches or higher, per the 2010 ADA Standards
ADA Access Aisle Requirements
Access aisles are where a lot of compliance failures hide. Per ADA.gov and the 2010 Standards, access aisles must:
Be marked to discourage parking in them
Run the full length of the stall (not shorter)
Be level with the parking space (no curbs, no gutter dips, no speed bumps through the aisle)
Not overlap the vehicular drive lane (you can't stripe the aisle into traffic)
Connect to an accessible route
Two adjacent spaces can share one access aisle, which is a common space-saving layout, per ADA.gov. But there's a gotcha for angled parking: when van spaces are angled, the access aisle must be on the passenger side of the vehicle.
Slope and Drainage: Where Most Lots Actually Fail
This is where most "it looks fine" lots actually fail.
The standards allow slopes no steeper than 1:48 (about 2.08%) for both the stall and the access aisle, per the 2010 ADA Standards. That's nearly flat. And it applies in all directions, not just one.
Here's a quick reference for checking slope on site (derived from the 1:48 maximum in the 2010 ADA Standards):
| Measurement Distance | Maximum Rise at 1:48 |
|---|---|
| 10 feet (120 inches) | 2.5 inches |
| 20 feet (240 inches) | 5.0 inches |
| Across a 96-inch stall | 2.0 inches |
| Across a 60-inch aisle | 1.25 inches |
If an accessible stall sits in a drainage swale, near a curb ramp bump-out, or on the crowned edge of a drive aisle, it's probably failing this test. Eyeballing slope is how you get burned on inspections. Drone-based site inspections can help identify drainage patterns and surface irregularities before your crew arrives on site.
Also worth noting: built-up curb ramps can't project into access aisles or parking spaces because they create slopes greater than 1:48. The 2010 Standards commentary addresses this directly.
ADA Parking Stripe Colors and Marking Requirements
Here's something that surprises a lot of people. The ADA standards require the access aisle to be marked, but they don't specify the paint color or marking method. That's typically set by state or local code.
So if someone tells you "ADA requires blue paint," that's usually a local rule, not a federal requirement. What matters for your bid is getting accurate striping quantities so you know exactly how many linear feet of paint and how many stalls you're dealing with.
How to Measure Stall Width Correctly
When stalls and aisles are striped with painted lines, widths are measured from the centerline of the markings. There's an exception for end spaces that aren't adjacent to another space, per the 2010 ADA Standards.
This matters more than you'd think. If someone stripes "96 inches" measuring to the inside edge of the paint rather than center-to-center, the stall ends up short. That's a failed inspection.
Where ADA Parking Spaces Must Be Located
Perfect geometry doesn't help if the spaces are in the wrong location.
Shortest Accessible Route Requirement
Accessible spaces serving a building must be on the shortest accessible route to an accessible entrance, per the 2010 ADA Standards. That's not the same as "closest by eyeball." The route itself has to be accessible: no curbs to hop, no stairs, compliant slopes and ramps the whole way. The Access Board even notes cases where the correct location is closest to an entrance ramp, not the front doors.
ADA Parking Space Dispersion Requirements
If parking serves multiple accessible entrances, accessible spaces must be dispersed among those entrances and placed on the shortest accessible route to each entrance they serve. The 2010 Standards are explicit about this.
ADA Scoping When a Site Has Multiple Parking Lots
Each lot or garage is its own "parking facility" for scoping purposes, especially when they're structurally different, serve different user groups, or are separated by streets and barriers. The Access Board's guide explains this clearly.
There's a limited exception that allows required spaces for one facility to be located in another, but only if access is "substantially equivalent or better." That means equivalent distance, fees, and convenience factors like weather protection or security, per the 2010 Standards.
Best Practice: Route Wheelchair Users Away from Traffic
The standards' advisory guidance recommends: where possible, don't route wheelchair users behind parked cars. If the accessible route must cross traffic lanes, marked crossings improve safety. This is in the 2010 Standards advisory notes.
This isn't strictly a dimensional requirement. But it's one of those choices that prevents real-world injuries and complaints, and inspectors notice it.
Does Restriping a Parking Lot Trigger ADA Compliance?
This section matters a lot for anyone in the paving, sealcoat, or striping business. You need to know when "we're just repainting lines" turns into "you need to fix the ADA stalls too." Understanding the full cost of parking lot resurfacing helps you scope ADA compliance work into your bids from the start.
Why Resurfacing Triggers ADA Parking Requirements
The Access Board's ADA parking guide notes that accessible spaces are required where parking facilities are altered or added, and that "alterations" includes resurfacing of vehicular ways. Projects that add new spaces or involve resurfacing and resealing must include accessible spaces per the scoping table.
When Routine Maintenance Does Not Trigger ADA Compliance
Not everything triggers compliance. The same Access Board guidance clarifies that routine maintenance like surface patching typically doesn't trigger the accessible space requirement. But reconfiguration and resurfacing do.
The line between "maintenance" and "alteration" can be blurry, so it's smart to clarify with your AHJ before starting work. If your project does cross into alteration territory, knowing the resurfacing costs alongside ADA compliance scope prevents budget surprises.
The practical takeaway: If you're moving striping, redoing circulation, or resurfacing a lot, assume accessible parking is in scope unless the AHJ says otherwise. It's far cheaper to include it in the original bid than to deal with a change order after the crew is already on site.
What the DOJ Says About Restriping and ADA Compliance
The Department of Justice published a restriping compliance brief specifically for this situation. When you restripe a parking lot, you should ensure the required accessible spaces are provided and correctly configured. The brief also reminds contractors about the centerline measurement rule for painted lines.
Most Common ADA Parking Violations and How to Avoid Them
If you're auditing a site or scoping a restripe, these are the failures to look for first. They're listed in rough order of how often they show up in real-world inspections.
1. Wrong count. Especially when a site has multiple lots and someone counted the total site spaces instead of per lot/garage. This single mistake accounts for a huge share of compliance failures. Running each lot through TruTec's AI-powered takeoff gives you per-facility counts automatically, eliminating the most common source of error.
2. Missing van spaces. "We have accessible stalls, but none of them are van-accessible." The rule is 1 per every 6 accessible spaces (or fraction of 6). It's missed constantly.
3. Access aisle overlaps the drive lane. This is explicitly prohibited. If the aisle striping extends into where cars drive, it's a violation.
4. Slope too steep. The stall "looks flat," but it sits on a crown, gutter line, or drainage swale. The limit is 1:48, and you can't tell by looking. You need a level.
5. Aisle not full length, not marked, or not level. Short aisles, faded hatch marks, or a curb ramp bump projecting into the aisle area all count as violations.
6. Signage mistakes. Sign mounted too low, missing the "van accessible" designation on van spaces, or relying only on pavement markings when a mounted sign is required.
7. No actual accessible route to the entrance. The space exists, but the person has to jump a curb, walk in traffic, or work around obstacles to get inside. Access aisles must adjoin an accessible route, and spaces must be on the shortest accessible route to the entrance.
The best way to catch these issues before they become expensive problems is to combine accurate aerial measurements with a focused on-site verification. The aerial data gives you counts, dimensions, and striping scope; the field check confirms slopes, clearance, and route continuity.
ADA Parking Compliance Field Checklist
This is a checklist you can hand to a crew lead. Use it to audit an existing lot or validate a restripe plan before paint hits pavement. For the most accurate baseline numbers, start with a TruTec takeoff to confirm total stall counts, ADA stall locations, and striping quantities before heading on-site.
Counts and Scoping
Total spaces counted per lot/garage (not per site)
Accessible spaces minimum met per the scoping table
Van spaces calculated: ceil(accessible / 6)
Special conditions checked: 4-or-fewer spaces, hospital outpatient, rehab/outpatient PT, residential, valet
Source: ADA.gov accessible parking
Layout and Striping
Car-accessible stall width is 96 inches or more
Van stall matches Option 1 (132" stall + 60" aisle) or Option 2 (96" stall + 96" aisle)
Access aisle width is correct (60" minimum, or 96" for van Option 2)
Access aisle runs the full length of the stall
Access aisle is clearly marked to discourage parking
Access aisle does not overlap the drive lane
For angled van stalls: aisle is on the passenger side
Source: 2010 ADA Standards and Access Board parking guide
Surface and Slope
Stall and aisle surfaces are firm, stable, and slip-resistant
Stall and aisle are at the same level with no abrupt changes
Slopes verified at 1:48 or less in all directions (measured, not guessed)
Source: ADA.gov
Clearance and Signage
Van route clearance is 98 inches or more (from lot entry to stall, including the stall and aisle)
ISA signs are present on all accessible spaces
Van stalls have "van accessible" designation on the sign
Bottom of all signs is 60 inches or higher above the ground
If total site parking is 4 or fewer: confirmed whether the sign exception applies in your jurisdiction
Source: 2010 ADA Standards
Accessible Route Connection
Access aisle connects directly to an accessible route
Route leads to an accessible entrance on the shortest accessible path
Parked vehicles can't overhang and pinch the route width (wheel stops often solve this)
Source: 2010 ADA Standards
ADA Requirements for EV Charging Stations
Electric vehicle charging is becoming a major issue for parking lot compliance. Sites are adding EV chargers in prime spots, and in the process, the accessible route or accessible stall configuration gets disrupted.
Two critical facts as of February 2026:
-> The 2010 ADA Standards don't include EV-charger-specific scoping or design rules yet. But accessibility requirements still apply to any parking spaces, and the Access Board has published detailed technical assistance on designing accessible EV charging stations.
-> Accessible spaces serving EV charging stations can't count toward the minimum number of required accessible parking spaces. The Access Board's parking guide recommends treating EV charging accessibility as additional scope, not a substitute for your standard accessible parking count.
Upcoming ADA Rules for EV Charging Stations
The U.S. Access Board published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on September 3, 2024 proposing guidelines that specifically address EV charger accessibility, including charger interface design and space/aisle/route requirements. As of early 2026, these are proposed guidelines, not final enforceable standards everywhere yet. But they signal where regulation is heading.
If you're designing parking with EV infrastructure, plan for accessible EV stations now. Retrofitting later is always more expensive. Getting an accurate baseline of your existing lot layout through aerial takeoff measurements before adding EV infrastructure helps you plan the accessible configuration from the beginning.
On-Street Parking ADA Requirements and PROWAG
If your project involves public right-of-way pedestrian facilities (sidewalks, curb ramps, transit stops, and on-street parking), the relevant federal guideline set is PROWAG (Public Right-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines).
Here's the timeline that matters in 2026:
The Access Board published the final PROWAG rule in the Federal Register in August 2023 (effective date corrected to October 7, 2023).
GSA adopted PROWAG into enforceable standards under ABAAS in July 2024.
DOT adopted PROWAG as enforceable standards specifically for transit stops in the public right-of-way, with the rule effective January 17, 2025.
If you're doing striping or design work tied to transit stops or federally funded right-of-way projects, PROWAG isn't future talk anymore. It's enforceable now.
How TruTec Simplifies ADA Parking Compliance
Most ADA parking failures trace back to two gaps: bad quantities (wrong total stalls, wrong accessible count, wrong van count, wrong striping scope) and bad field verification (slopes, clearance, route continuity that nobody checked until the inspector showed up).
We can't solve the second gap from the air. Slope verification and vertical clearance still need boots on the ground. But the first gap? That's exactly what TruTec was built to eliminate.
Our core workflow starts with an address. TruTec's AI analyzes aerial imagery and uses computer vision to detect and measure parking lot features: asphalt and concrete areas, parking stalls, ADA stalls, striping, curbs, stop bars, arrows, and pavement markings. The entire takeoff generates in seconds, not hours. If you're currently spending hours on manual takeoffs with spreadsheets, switching to construction estimating software designed for paving contractors changes that equation entirely.
TruTec's homepage shows the address-based takeoff workflow — type a parking lot address, and the AI measures stall counts, ADA stalls, striping, and more in seconds.
A Practical Workflow for ADA-Compliant Restriping Bids
Here's how this plays out on a real project:
Run the address in TruTec and get your baseline stall counts and striping quantities. This is your starting point for the entire bid.
Apply the ADA scoping formulas from this guide. Use the total stall count from TruTec's takeoff to calculate the required accessible and van spaces.
Compare against the existing layout. TruTec's AI specifically detects ADA stalls, so you can flag gaps between what's there and what's required before the crew is on site.
Schedule a focused field check. You still need 15 to 20 minutes on-site for the stuff aerial imagery can't prove: slope measurements with a level, vertical clearance, and accessible route continuity from stall to entrance. Pairing this with a drone inspection can capture surface conditions, drainage patterns, and damage that satellite imagery alone might miss.
Write the scope clearly. If regrading or curb ramp work is needed to make a stall truly accessible, that's not "just striping." Catching this early means your bid is accurate and the client isn't surprised. Understanding the full resurfacing cost picture helps you distinguish between a simple restripe and a project that needs structural pavement work first.
This is how you avoid the classic change order: "We restriped the ADA stalls where they were, then the inspector failed it because slope/sign/route." With accurate quantities from TruTec and a targeted field verification, you walk into the project knowing exactly what you're dealing with.
Ready to see how it works on your next project? Get started with TruTec and run your first parking lot takeoff for free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does ADA Require Blue Paint for Accessible Stalls?
No. The federal ADA standards require the access aisle to be marked, but they don't specify the color or marking method. Blue paint, crosshatching patterns, and specific marking colors are almost always set by state or local code. Check your jurisdiction's requirements before painting.
Does ADA Specify the Length of an Accessible Parking Stall?
The standards focus on width, access aisle dimensions, slope, clearance, and signage. They require the access aisle to extend the full length of the stall, but they don't set a universal stall length number in the parking space technical section. Stall length is typically controlled by local design standards and site geometry.
Can Two Accessible Stalls Share One Access Aisle?
Yes. Two parking spaces can share an access aisle, per ADA.gov. The key caveat is angled van spaces: in that layout, the access aisle must be on the passenger side of the vehicle.
Do Employee-Only Parking Lots Need Accessible Parking?
Yes. Accessible parking requirements apply equally to public parking and employee or restricted parking areas. The Access Board's parking guide is explicit about this.
What's the Fastest Way to Calculate Van Spaces?
Van spaces = ceil(accessible spaces / 6). This comes from the "every six or fraction of six" rule in the 2010 ADA Standards. Whatever number you get for total accessible spaces, divide by 6 and round up. The hardest part is usually getting the total stall count right, which is where automated takeoff tools save time and prevent errors.
For a Tiny Lot with 4 or Fewer Spaces, Do I Really Need a Van-Accessible Stall?
Yes. ADA.gov explicitly states that where parking is limited to 4 or fewer spaces, you must provide 1 van-accessible space. The one exception is that a sign identifying the accessible space isn't required in this scenario (though local codes may differ).
When Does Restriping a Parking Lot Trigger ADA Compliance?
When your restriping project goes beyond routine maintenance. According to the Access Board's guidance, resurfacing of vehicular ways counts as an alteration that triggers accessible parking requirements. Simple surface patching typically doesn't. The DOJ's restriping compliance brief provides detailed guidance on this exact question. For a deeper look at what resurfacing projects actually cost and what triggers them, see our guide to parking lot resurfacing costs.
What Slope Is Acceptable for ADA Parking Spaces?
The maximum allowable slope is 1:48 in all directions, which works out to about 2.08%. This applies to both the parking stall and the access aisle, per the 2010 ADA Standards. Measure it with a level. Don't eyeball it.