What's Wrong with This Photo - Parking - 4/28/21

Please look at the photo on the right. What you are looking at is a municipal ADA accessible parking space in a small town in Georgia. What’s wrong?

HINT: A lot!

For starters, where is the access aisle? Every accessible parking space should have an access aisle. 2010 ADA Standard 502.2, [Parking Spaces] Vehicle Spaces, states, “Car parking spaces shall be 96 inches (2440 mm) wide minimum and van parking spaces shall be 132 inches (3350 mm) wide minimum, shall be marked to define the width, and shall have an adjacent access aisle complying with [Standard] 502.3.” The diagram below is representative of an ADA access aisle and an accessible parking space.

So having an access aisle for every accessible parking space is not an option. It’s required.

2010 ADA Standard 502.3, Access Aisle, states, “Access aisles serving parking spaces shall comply with [Standard] 502.3. Access aisles shall adjoin an accessible route. Two parking spaces shall be permitted to share a common access aisle.”

And look how short these parking spaces are and look how the ADA space becomes smaller in width going from front to back. These spaces barely make it to the rear tire of the SUV next to this ADA space. See the photo on the left. Most parking spaces lines extend back 18 feet from the curb. And all parking spaces have to be a uniform width going from front to back.

And what’s going on with that sign for the ADA parking space? It’s a portable sign standing about 48 inches above the level of the parking surface.

2010 ADA Standard 502.6, [Parking] Identification, states, “Parking space identification signs shall include the International Symbol of Accessibility complying with [Standard] 703.7.2.1. Signs identifying van parking spaces shall contain the designation “van accessible.” Signs shall be 60 inches (1525 mm) minimum above the finish floor or ground surface measured to the bottom of the sign.” The graphic on the right is representative.

SUMMARY: So there is a lot wrong with this accessible parking space. What they could/should have done here is use two spaces to make one van-accessible parking space with an accessible parking space aisle, that connects to the accessible ramp on the right.

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If you observe a facility that is not ADA compliant and you would like to know how to proceed, please see the link at What To Do When A Building Is Not ADA Compliant or Accessible.

ADA Inspections Nationwide, LLC, offers ADA/ABA/FHA accessibility compliance inspections for buildings and facilities, as applicable to the different laws, and expert witness services with respect to ADA/ABA/FHA laws for building owners, tenants and managers. Also, ADAIN offers consulting for home modifications as a CAPS consultant for people wishing to age in place in their homes. For a complete list of services please see ADAIN Services.

Thank you.