Braillito Maps · Accessibility guides
Accessible parking: ADA parking requirements, sizes and signs
An accessible parking space is wider than a standard one, or has a striped access aisle beside it, so a driver or passenger can open the door fully and get out into a wheelchair. In the United States the 2010 ADA Standards set how many accessible spaces a lot needs, how wide they are, where they go and how they are signed.
This is a summary. The official 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design are the reference.
How many accessible spaces
| Total spaces in the facility | Accessible spaces required |
|---|---|
| 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 1000 | 2 % of the total |
| 1001 and over | 20, plus 1 for each 100 over 1000 |
The table is 2010 ADA Standards, table 208.2. For every six accessible spaces, or fraction of six, at least one must be a van space (2010 ADA Standards, 208.2.4). Hospital outpatient facilities need 10 % of patient and visitor spaces to be accessible, and rehabilitation and outpatient physical therapy facilities 20 % (2010 ADA Standards, 208.2.1 and 208.2.2).
The count is made for each parking facility separately, not for all the lots on a site together (2010 ADA Standards, advisory 208.2).
Space and access aisle sizes
| Element | Minimum | Section |
|---|---|---|
| Car space | 96 inches (2440 mm) wide | 2010 ADA Standards, 502.2 |
| Van space | 132 inches (3350 mm) wide, or 96 inches (2440 mm) with a 96-inch access aisle | 2010 ADA Standards, 502.2 |
| Access aisle | 60 inches (1525 mm) wide, the full length of the space, marked to discourage parking | 2010 ADA Standards, 502.3 |
| Van vertical clearance | 98 inches (2490 mm) for the space, the aisle and the route to them | 2010 ADA Standards, 502.5 |
| Surface | level with the space; no changes in level | 2010 ADA Standards, 502.4 |
Widths are measured from the centerline of the markings. Two spaces may share one access aisle, and an angled van space must have its aisle on the passenger side (2010 ADA Standards, 502.1 and 502.3).
Where the spaces go
Accessible spaces go on the shortest accessible route to an accessible entrance; where a lot serves several accessible entrances, they are spread out among them (2010 ADA Standards, 208.3.1). Parked cars and vans must not block the clear width of the accessible route next to them (2010 ADA Standards, 502.7).
From the aisle, the route usually reaches the sidewalk by a curb ramp, which follows the same slope limits as other ramps; see ADA ramp slope.
The sign
Each accessible space is identified by a sign with the International Symbol of Accessibility. Van spaces add the words “van accessible”. The bottom of the sign is at least 60 inches (1525 mm) above the ground (2010 ADA Standards, 502.6 and 216.5).
More on the symbol itself in accessibility symbols.
Common problems
- The striped access aisle is used for parking, carts or snow piles.
- There is no curb ramp from the aisle, so a wheelchair user has to go into the traffic lane to reach the sidewalk.
- The van space has no “van accessible” sign, or the sign is too low to see over a car.
- The lot was restriped without updating the number of accessible and van spaces: restriping counts as an alteration (ADA primer for small business).
Frequently asked questions
How many accessible parking spaces are required?
It depends on the size of the facility: 1 for up to 25 spaces, 2 for 26 to 50, 4 for 76 to 100, 9 for 401 to 500 and 2 % from 501 to 1000, with 1 in 6 of them van accessible (2010 ADA Standards, 208.2 and 208.2.4).
How wide is an ADA parking space?
A car space is at least 96 inches (2440 mm) wide and a van space 132 inches (3350 mm), or 96 inches with a 96-inch access aisle (2010 ADA Standards, 502.2).
How wide is the access aisle?
At least 60 inches (1525 mm), along the full length of the space, and marked so people do not park in it (2010 ADA Standards, 502.3).
How high must an accessible parking sign be?
The bottom of the sign must be at least 60 inches (1525 mm) above the ground (2010 ADA Standards, 502.6).
What makes a space van accessible?
A wider space or aisle (132 inches, or 96 with a 96-inch aisle), 98 inches (2490 mm) of vertical clearance and a sign that says “van accessible” (2010 ADA Standards, 502.2, 502.5 and 502.6).
More accessibility guides
- ADA compliance: a checklist for small businesses, with the 2010 Standards section behind each item.
- Accessibility symbols: what the wheelchair symbol means, where it is required and the other access symbols.
- ADA ramp slope: the 1:12 rule, width, landings, handrails and edge protection.
- ADA door width: 32 inches of clear width, maneuvering space, thresholds, hardware and opening force.
- All accessibility guides
Sources
Every figure in this guide comes from one of these official texts, which we read in October 2026.
- 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design. U.S. Department of Justice, published September 15, 2010; required for new work since March 15, 2012.
- ADA Update: A Primer for Small Business. U.S. Department of Justice (ADA.gov), last updated February 28, 2020.
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