If you own or manage commercial property, ADA parking lot compliance isn’t optional — it’s federal law. The Americans with Disabilities Act requires specific parking lot configurations, and violations can result in lawsuits, fines, and forced retrofits that cost far more than doing it right the first time.
AF&G LLC helps businesses across Arkansas and surrounding states bring their parking lots into ADA compliance. Here’s what you need to know.
How Many ADA Spaces Do You Need?
The number of required accessible spaces depends on your total lot size:
| Total Parking Spaces | Required Accessible Spaces |
|---|---|
| 1–25 | 1 |
| 26–50 | 2 |
| 51–75 | 3 |
| 76–100 | 4 |
| 101–150 | 5 |
| 151–200 | 6 |
| 201–300 | 7 |
| 301–400 | 8 |
| 401–500 | 9 |
For every 6 accessible spaces (or fraction), at least 1 must be van-accessible (8 feet wide with an 8-foot access aisle, or 11 feet wide with a 5-foot aisle).
ADA Parking Space Dimensions
- Standard accessible space: 8 feet wide minimum
- Access aisle: 5 feet wide minimum (shared between two spaces is acceptable)
- Van-accessible space: 8 feet wide + 8 feet access aisle, OR 11 feet wide + 5 feet access aisle
- Access aisle marking: Diagonal blue/white hatching with “NO PARKING” text
Signage Requirements
- Signs must be mounted at least 60 inches from the ground (bottom of sign) so they’re visible when a vehicle is parked
- International Symbol of Accessibility required on all signs
- Van-accessible spaces need an additional “VAN ACCESSIBLE” sign
- Ground-painted symbols alone are not sufficient — vertical signs are mandatory
Common ADA Violations We See
When AF&G restripes parking lots, we frequently find these issues:
- Missing or undersized access aisles — The most common violation
- No van-accessible spaces — Required for every 6 accessible spaces
- Signs mounted too low — Must be 60″ minimum from ground
- Faded or missing ground markings — Lines and symbols must be clearly visible
- Spaces not on the shortest accessible route — ADA spaces must be closest to the entrance
- Excessive slope — Maximum 2% slope in any direction for accessible spaces
Why ADA Compliance Matters
Beyond being the right thing to do:
- Lawsuits are expensive: ADA violation lawsuits typically settle for ,000–,000+, plus attorney fees
- Serial litigants exist: Some individuals and law firms specifically target non-compliant businesses
- Fines add up: DOJ civil penalties can reach ,000 for first violations and ,000 for subsequent ones
- Insurance may not cover it: Many policies exclude ADA-related claims
Get Your Lot Checked
AF&G can assess your current parking lot, identify compliance gaps, and handle the restriping and marking to bring you into full ADA compliance.
Call (501) 771-9929 or request a quote for an ADA compliance assessment.
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