The ADA is responsible for outlawing discrimination against differently abled people, and one area it oversees is accessibility to commercial businesses. While a high-quality paving company will stay updated on the most recent guidelines, it will also benefit you to know the current regulations and how they affect your parking lot’s layout. Here’s a closer look at the present ADA parking lot guidelines and why maintenance is so crucial.

ADA Regulations

Every commercial parking lot has to have at least one accessible parking spot, and the number of accessible spaces required goes up in accordance with the total number. For instance, you need two accessible spots for lots with 26-50 parking spaces, but you need four if your lot holds 76-100 spaces. You must have at least one van-accessible spot per lot, even if it’s your only accessible spot. If your lot holds over 200 cars, you’re required to have two van-accessible spaces.

Accessible parking should have the shortest path of direct travel to the door, with a pathway free of curbs, steps, or blockages. Your paving company or contractor will need to mark accessible spots with signs at the head of each space. The parking space should be at least 8 feet wide for cars and 11 feet wide for vans, and the diagonally striped access aisle has to be at least 5 feet wide.

The Importance of Parking Lot Maintenace

The ADA’s regulations can change as accessibility equipment and population needs change, and you’ll be expected to adopt the new guidelines as soon as you’re able. For instance, the most recent guidelines were published in 2010, and if your parking lot followed regulations for the ones before that (in 1991), you were allowed to update your lot to the new regulations during your next planned asphalt work under a ‘Safe Harbor’ provision instead of immediately.

Maintaining your lot will ensure it’s up to code changes and doesn’t fall into disrepair. You’ll build a relationship with your commercial paving company, so you’ll know you can trust them if you ever need a major asphalt repair. 

Having a parking lot that follows current accessibility guidelines will improve relations with all clients and make their experience more pleasant if they need the accessible spaces, which will draw more people in. If you’re not compliant with codes, you could face fines and potential lawsuits.

Do you need an experienced paving company to update your asphalt parking lot? AAA Paving Company in Kernersville, NC, has over 27 years’ experience and is locally owned and operated. They’re a trusted source for all of your paving and asphalt repair needs and able to do commercial and residential jobs. They’re licensed, bonded, and insured, and they communicate with you throughout the project so you know what’s going on. Learn about their Triad-area commercial paving services online and call (336) 723-1418 for a free estimate today.