ADA Parking Requirements
How many accessible parking spaces a lot needs, how big they must be, and the signage and slope rules that go with them, based on the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design.
Updated July 2026
TL;DR
Federal rule of thumb: 1 accessible space for the first 25 spaces, scaling up from there, and at least 1 of every 6 accessible spaces must be van-accessible. A car-accessible stall is 8 ft wide with a 5 ft access aisle; a van stall is 11 ft wide with a 5 ft aisle (or 8 ft wide with an 8 ft aisle). These are federal minimums; some states require more.
How Many Accessible Spaces Are Required
The 2010 ADA Standards set the minimum number of accessible spaces by the total number of spaces in the parking facility. The count is per lot or structure, and the required accessible spaces come off the top of the total, not in addition to it.
| Total Spaces In Lot | 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 percent of total spaces |
| 1,001 and over | 20, plus 1 for each 100 over 1,000 |
Van-Accessible Spaces
At least one of every six accessible spaces, rounded up, must be van-accessible, and every lot with any accessible spaces needs at least one van space. A lot with 4 accessible stalls needs 1 van space; a lot with 7 accessible stalls needs 2.
Van spaces are wider or have a wider access aisle so a side-mounted wheelchair lift has room to deploy. They also carry an additional "van accessible" sign and require 98 inches of vertical clearance at the space, along the route to it, and at the lot exit so a lift-equipped van can actually get in and out.
Stall And Access-Aisle Dimensions
Every accessible space pairs a parking stall with an access aisle, the striped area beside it where a wheelchair or lift deploys. Two spaces can share one aisle between them. The aisle runs the full length of the spaces it serves.
| Space Type | Stall Width | Access Aisle | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car accessible | 96 in (8 ft) | 60 in (5 ft) | Aisle on either side |
| Van accessible (standard) | 132 in (11 ft) | 60 in (5 ft) | Wider stall option |
| Van accessible (alternate) | 96 in (8 ft) | 96 in (8 ft) | Wider aisle option |
Slope, Signage, And Location
Getting the counts and widths right is only part of compliance. Three details fail inspections most often:
- Slope. The stall surface and the access aisle must not slope more than 1:48 (about 2 percent) in any direction. This is the rule that trips up lots on a grade, because a surface that drains well can still exceed 2 percent.
- Signage. Each accessible space needs a sign with the International Symbol of Accessibility, mounted at least 60 inches above the ground measured to the bottom of the sign so it stays visible over a parked vehicle. Van spaces add a "van accessible" designation.
- Location. Accessible spaces must sit on the shortest accessible route to the accessible building entrance. When a facility has multiple entrances, the spaces are dispersed among them.
Federal Minimums vs. State Rules
Everything above is the federal 2010 ADA Standard, which applies nationwide as a floor. Some states set stricter rules. California, for example, applies its own building-code accessibility provisions that can change counts and dimensions, and Texas enforces the Texas Accessibility Standards on many projects.
Before laying out a lot, confirm the local requirement, because a lot that meets the federal minimum can still fail a stricter state or city code. When the federal and local rules differ, the more demanding one governs.
Laying It Out Correctly
The practical workflow for a striping or paving contractor: count the total spaces, read the required accessible count off the table above, size the stalls and aisles, place them on the shortest route to the entrance, and verify slope on site. Getting the count and geometry right on the plan is far cheaper than restriping after a failed inspection.
Laying Out A Lot? Measure It Before You Stripe.
Contractors using ProPaving trace the lot on satellite imagery, count spaces, and check geometry before a single line goes down. Get exact measurements in seconds. Free 7-day trial.
Start free trialCommon Questions
How many handicap parking spaces are required by the ADA?
Under the 2010 ADA Standards, a lot with 1-25 spaces needs 1 accessible space, 26-50 needs 2, 51-75 needs 3, and 76-100 needs 4, scaling up from there. Lots of 501-1,000 spaces need 2 percent of the total, and lots over 1,000 need 20 plus 1 for each additional 100. These are federal minimums; some states require more.
How many van-accessible spaces do I need?
At least one of every six accessible spaces, rounded up, must be van-accessible, and every lot with accessible spaces needs at least one van space. So a lot with 4 accessible stalls needs 1 van space, and a lot with 7 accessible stalls needs 2.
What size is an ADA parking space?
A car-accessible stall is at least 96 inches (8 ft) wide with a 60-inch (5 ft) access aisle. A van-accessible stall is either 132 inches (11 ft) wide with a 5 ft aisle, or 96 inches (8 ft) wide with a wider 96-inch (8 ft) aisle. The access aisle runs the full length of the space.
What is the maximum slope for an accessible parking space?
The stall surface and its access aisle must not slope more than 1:48, about 2 percent, in any direction. This is one of the most common inspection failures, because a lot graded to drain well can still exceed 2 percent if it was not laid out carefully.
Do state ADA parking rules differ from federal rules?
Yes. The 2010 ADA Standards are a nationwide floor, but states like California and Texas enforce their own accessibility codes that can require more spaces or different dimensions. When federal and local rules differ, the more demanding one governs, so always confirm the local requirement before laying out a lot.
Related Tools & Guides
ADA Parking Requirements by State
How accessible-parking rules differ from state to state.
Parking Lot Striping Cost
What ADA stalls, arrows, and standard stalls cost to stripe.
Striping Calculator
Linear feet, paint, and cost from your stall count.
Sealcoating Cost Per Square Foot
Per-square-foot sealer pricing, the step before restriping.
Asphalt Cost Per Square Foot
Installed asphalt pricing by job type and region.
All Free Calculators
Asphalt, sealcoat, striping, and more. No signup required.
Sources & Methodology
Figures on this page are directional planning references aggregated from the sources below, not a single proprietary database. Prices vary with local competition, season, and project specifics, and codes are amended over time. Always confirm with real quotes or the governing code before a bid or a build.
- US Access Board, 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design, Section 208 (parking spaces) and Section 502 (parking space dimensions, signage, and slope).
- US Department of Justice, ADA.gov guidance on accessible parking spaces.
- State accessibility codes (for example the California Building Code and the Texas Accessibility Standards) for jurisdictions that exceed the federal minimum.
Bidding Real Jobs?
Guides are great for planning. Real bids need accurate measurements from satellite imagery, multi-section takeoffs, and branded PDF reports for clients. ProPaving does all of that. Try free for 7 days.
Start free trialUpdated July 2026