ADA Information
Design Standards for Accessible Parking Spaces
Each accessible parking space must be at least 96 inches (8 feet) wide and shall have an adjacent access aisle. Van-accessible parking spaces must have a 96-inch (8 feet) wide access aisle adjacent to the parking space, and standard vehicle accessible parking spaces must have a 60-inch (5 feet) wide access aisle adjacent to the parking space. The accessible path of travel from the parking space to the building must start from the access aisle (note wide arrows). Access aisles are to be kept clear of all obstructions at all times.
Guidance documents:
U.S. Access Board Parking Technical Bulletin
http://www.access-board.gov/adaag/about/bulletins/parking.htm
U.S. Department of Justice – ADA Business Brief – Re-striping Parking Lots
http://www.ada.gov/restribr.htm
VAN Access Space Access Space
Space Aisle Aisle
Each accessible parking space must be designated by a sign per NH RSA 265: 73-a. Codes require that the sign display of the Universal Symbol of Accessibility and be mounted on a post or on a building wall so that the bottom of the sign is at least 60 inches above the surface of the parking space. Signs are to be located at the head of each accessible parking space. Please do not use signs that have text with any form of the word “handicapped.”
Access aisles should be marked with diagonal stripes, preferably yellow and are to be part of the accessible route to the building. If possible, a “NO PARKING” sign should be installed.
The amount of accessible parking spaces that must be provided is based on the total number of spaces in each parking lot.At least one parking space must be van-accessible, and for every 6 (six) accessible parking spaces, there must be one van-accessible space.
Accessible parking spaces must be located on the shortest accessible route of travel from the parking to an accessible building entrance.
In parking facilities that do not serve a particular building, accessible parking spaces must be located on the shortest route to an accessible pedestrian entrance to the parking facility.
Where buildings have multiple accessible entrances with adjacent parking, accessible parking spaces shall be dispersed and located near the accessible entrances. This usually means that the minimum number of accessible parking spaces must be exceeded in order to provide equal access to multiple entrances.
In multilevel parking structures, van-accessible parking spaces may be located on one level.