Everything You Should Know About the ADA Accessibility Requirements for Parking Lot Striping in Texas

If you're a business owner in Dallas, it's essential that you have a solid understanding of the ADA accessibility requirements for parking lot striping in Texas.

Beyond just complying with regulations, proper striping in your lot helps your customers, employees, and visitors safely get to your building. Plus, it reduces your liability and keeps your property feeling welcoming to everyone who walks through the door.

You might be under the impression that ADA striping just means slapping a wheelchair symbol on the ground. But in reality, the rules cover just about everything, from the size of accessible parking spots to access aisles, signage, slopes, and the shortest accessible route to the entrance of your building.

This guide will give you all the inside info you need to know about ADA parking requirements in Texas, specifically for business owners in Dallas.

Key Takeaways:

• The Americans with Disabilities Act lays out the national rules for accessible parking, including dimensions, markings, signs, and access aisles, in commercial parking lots.

• All properties in Texas have to follow both the ADA rules and the state's Texas Accessibility Standards.

• The number of accessible parking spaces you need depends on the total number of parking spaces in your lot.

• If you don't keep up with maintenance, you're at risk of facing serious ADA compliance issues.

  
  

What are ADA Parking Requirements?

So, what is the Americans with Disabilities Act, and what does it require? The act exists to make sure that people with wheelchairs, walkers, and other mobility devices have equal access to commercial properties like yours. That includes designing accessible parking that's actually usable for these people.

The ADA guidelines apply to just about any commercial property, from retail centers to office buildings, hotels, restaurants, and apartment complexes. It even includes patient and visitor parking areas.

In Texas, as well as following the ADA rules, you also need to comply with the state's own accessibility standards through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

How Many Accessible Parking Spaces Do You Need?

The minimum number of accessible parking spaces you need depends on the total number of parking spaces in your lot.

For example:

• If you have 1–25 parking spaces, you need at least 1 accessible parking space.

• If you have 26–50 parking spaces, you need at least 2 accessible parking spaces.

• If you have 51–75 parking spaces, you need at least 3 accessible parking spaces.

• And so on! Check out the official ADA parking chart for a detailed breakdown.

At least one in every six accessible parking spaces has to be van accessible. That means if you have six accessible parking spaces, at least one of them needs to be wide enough for a van to fit.

What Makes a Parking Space ADA-Compliant?

Now you know why the ADA accessibility requirements exist, you might be wondering what makes a parking space ADA-compliant. To start with, accessible parking spaces must be the correct width:

• Standard accessible stalls need to be at least 8 feet wide, with an adjacent access aisle that's at least 5 feet wide.

• Van accessible spaces need to be either 11 feet wide with a 5-foot access aisle, or 8 feet wide with an 8-foot access aisle.

  
  

Essentially, accessible spaces and access aisles need to work together to create a safe entry and exit space for disabled drivers and passengers. With almost two decades of experience in the industry, this is something we guarantee with our ADA parking lot striping service.

Access Aisle Requirements

Under ADA laws, access aisles in your commercial parking lot need to meet a few pretty specific requirements:

• They need to stay free of parked vehicles.

• They need to connect parking spaces and access areas to the accessible route.

• They need to be clearly striped and visible.

  
  

ADA Compliant Signage

Each of your accessible spaces in your parking structure also needs to have ADA-compliant signage with the international symbol of accessibility.

Van accessible spaces need "Van Accessible" signage, too, mounted high enough so it won't get blocked by a car.

The international symbol has to be clearly visible and properly maintained. That means you can't just paint it once on the ground and call it a day.

Accessible Route Requirements

Don't forget about your parking lot's accessible routes, which must also be legally compliant. The ADA requires the shortest accessible route from accessible parking spaces to the building entrance.

That route needs to be:

• Safe and stable

• Slip-resistant

• Not too steep

• Wide enough for wheelchairs and mobility devices

The accessible route needs to connect parking spaces directly to the accessible entrance without forcing those who are using it into traffic lanes or unsafe areas.

Van Accessible Spaces Have Extra Rules

Van accessible spaces are a little trickier than your standard accessible spaces.

Van accessible spaces need to have:

• Extra vertical clearance

• Wider access aisles

• Proper signage

• Safe passenger side loading space

That's because many vans use wheelchair lifts that need extra room to operate safely.

Don't Forget About Routine Maintenance

In Dallas, two of the most common ADA compliance problems with commercial parking facilities are faded striping and incorrect layouts. It's all too easy to fail your property inspections because of issues that have arisen over time, such as:

• Faded access aisles

• Missing signs

• Resealing a lot without repainting the ADA markings

• Resurfacing causing slopes to become non-compliant

• Contractors making a mistake and using the wrong dimensions

Even if your parking lot originally passed an ADA inspection, that's not a guarantee that you'll pass the next one, especially if you neglect upkeep.

Regularly maintaining your parking lot will help prevent those problems from arising. Our returning customers receive 10% off their next striping project, so you get better value from our maintenance service in the long run. Call us on (903) 494-1047 to book your project today.

Texas Accessibility Standards are Important Too

The Federal ADA rules are only half the story. Texas also has its own accessibility requirements, which are outlined in the Texas Accessibility Standards. As a Dallas business owner, you need to take a look at both sets of regulations to understand exactly what you need from your parking lot striping work.

If you need more information, check these official Texas resources:

• The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation Accessibility Program

• City of Dallas Code Compliance Services

  
  

What It Really Means to Achieve ADA Parking Compliance

If the striping on your parking lot is wrong, it can make it difficult or even impossible for disabled visitors to safely make their way to your building.

As a business owner, being in compliance with ADA rules helps you reduce the likelihood of being involved in lawsuits and court battles, receiving accessibility complaints, being sued because of an accident, and bad reviews left by frustrated customers.

And when it comes to keeping your parking lot in compliance with ADA rules, proper striping plays a major role. The contractor you hire to stripe your lot should have a proper understanding of:

• The ADA standards

• The Texas accessibility standards

• How much space is needed between each parking space (and other requirements)

• Where to put the signs

• The required incline for slopes

  
  

When you work with CRI Striping Texas, we'll guarantee that all your accessible parking striping meets or exceeds federal ADA requirements and the Texas Accessibility Standards. Contact us for a free quote today.

FAQ

Does Dallas enforce ADA parking rules?

Yes, Dallas properties have to follow both federal ADA requirements and Texas accessibility standards. Under these rules, accessible parking spaces provided by any business in the region must meet certain specifications when it comes to width, quantity, signage, and more.

How many ADA parking spaces do I need in Texas?

You can determine the number of accessible parking spaces based on the overall number of spaces in your lot. If you have 1–25 parking spaces, you need at least 1 accessible parking space; if you have 26–50 parking spaces, you need at least 2 accessible parking spaces; and so on. The ADA chart shows the minimum number of accessible spaces you need.

Do apartment complexes need to have accessible parking?

Yes, multifamily housing properties need to provide accessible parking spaces and accessible routes, too. We can help you achieve this with our ADA parking lot striping in Dallas and the surrounding areas.

What sign is required for ADA parking spaces?

Your accessible parking spaces need to have the international symbol of accessibility, and van accessible spaces also need "Van Accessible" signs. If you're unsure exactly what accessible facilities you need, contact us to arrange an inspection of your lot.