Parking Lot Striping ADA Standards For Compliance

Striping in Fort Wayne plays a pivotal role in maintaining order and safety. However, parking lots need far more than simple stripes to remain code-compliant and fully accessible to all. Every parking lot must comply with several federal, state, and local code requirements. Some of the most important revolve around the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). In this blog, we'll cover the basics of parking lot striping ADA compliance, including several standards you must follow.

What Is Parking Lot Striping ADA Compliance?

For a parking lot to be fully ADA-compliant, it must meet all requirements set within the federal ADA law. The Americans with Disabilities Act is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against those with disabilities. The law is expansive, requiring property owners to provide accommodations in any public or private space open to the public. Parking lot striping paint is one of the best examples of the ADA in action.

Because the law is so complex and states often have stricter standards built on federal guidelines, you must hire an experienced parking lot line painter. Reputable Fort Wayne striping companies understand the law's complexity and will help you ensure your parking lot meets the mark without compromising safety or traffic flow.

How Many ADA-Compliant Spots Do Parking Lot Striping Companies Need to Create?

The biggest component of ADA-compliant parking lot striping is dedicated stalls.

Contractors should use a precise parking lot striping machine to create clearly marked ADA stalls. They need to be located on the shortest possible accessible pathway to the building entrance.

The number of accessible stalls your parking lot needs will depend entirely on its total capacity.

• 1 to 100 Total Stalls: 1 ADA-Compliant Stall per 25 Standard Stalls, or fraction thereof

• 101 to 200 Total Stalls: 4 ADA-Compliant Stalls Plus 1 Additional Stall Per 50 Standard Stalls over 101, or fraction thereof

• 201 to 500 Total Stalls: 6 ADA-Compliant Stalls Plus 1 Additional Stall Per 100 Standard Stalls over 201, or fraction thereof

• 501 to 1,000 Total Stalls: At Least 2% of the Total Stall Count Must Be ADA-Compliant

• 1,001 or More Total Stalls: At Least 20 ADA-Compliant Stalls Plus 1 Additional Stall per 100 Standard Stalls Over 1,001, or fraction thereof

In addition to ensuring striping companies create the minimum number of stalls required by law, you need to include van-accessible stalls. One out of every 6 ADA-compliant stalls must be van-accessible.

These guidelines apply to most parking lots. However, there are special rules for hospitals, rehabilitation clinics, and other medical facilities. Consult your parking lot line painter to understand any requirements that might apply to your property.

Are There Parking Lot Striping ADA Requirements That Govern Stall Sizing?

Parking lot striping machines need to create stalls with specific dimensions. ADA-compliant stalls must be at least 96 inches wide with a slope of no more than 1.48 in all directions.

Each stall also needs an attached access aisle that's at least 60 inches wide. Striping companies can optimize space by having two stalls share an access aisle, but each one needs to sit adjacent to an access aisle on either side.

Van-accessible stalls must be wider. You have two options here. The first option is to have parking lot striping companies create a 96-inch-wide stall attached to a 96-inch-wide access aisle. Alternatively, contractors can apply parking lot striping paint to create a single, massive 132-inch-wide van-accessible stall with a standard 60-inch access aisle.

What Other Features Does My Striping in Fort Wayne Need?

Proper dimensions and stall counts aren't the only things to worry about. Each stall needs vibrant, high-contrast parking lot striping paint that clearly marks its purpose. The federal ADA law doesn't require any specific color. However, the state of Indiana requires that parking lot striping paint be blue.

Neither federal nor Indiana state law requires the International Symbol of Accessibility (ISA). However, many Fort Wayne striping companies recommend it for extra visibility.

Beyond eye-catching parking lot striping paint, all stalls also need vertically mounted signage 60 inches above the pavement.

Is Parking Lot Striping ADA Compliance Permanent?

The markings your parking lot line painter applies won't last forever. You can take your time to get things right. However, to remain fully compliant, you must have contractors routinely refresh all markings with professional parking lot striping machines.

Fort Wayne striping companies recommend reapplying markings once they lose roughly 25% of their visibility. For standard paint formulas, that's usually every 18 to 24 months. Failing to keep stripes and markings vibrant will lead to non-compliance issues.

What Happens If My Striping in Fort Wayne Is Non-Compliant?

ADA compliance is mandatory, and ignoring it could be disastrous for your business. The penalty for your first non-compliance offense can be up to $75,000, not including state fees. Subsequent offenses can come with a penalty of up to $150,000.

Furthermore, failing to comply could expose you to lawsuits, reputational harm, and more. That's why it's so vital that you work with parking lot striping companies to create and maintain markings throughout your pavement's lifespan.

Don't trust just any contractor with ADA compliance. Asphalt Authority is a company that operates with integrity and full transparency. Unlike other striping companies, we focus on delivering top-quality results that protect your business and boost your bottom line. We're well-versed in all applicable laws and will work with you to ensure your parking lot is accessible to all.

In addition to parking lot striping, we offer asphalt paving, crack repairs, general repairs, sealcoating, traffic signage, warehouse markings, and more. Get your free quote today by calling the Asphalt Authority team at (260) 450-4976, emailing info@asphalt-authority.com, or submitting your information through our online form.