Parking Lot Accessibility Is Governed by Specific Counts and Dimensions
ADA-accessible parking requirements address three things: how many spaces must be accessible based on the total lot count, how many of those must be van-accessible, and the dimensional requirements for accessible spaces and their access aisles. The ARE PA exam tests all three, often in a scenario where candidates must determine whether a parking lot design complies with ADA requirements.
Required Number of Accessible Spaces
ADA Standards Table 208.2 establishes the minimum number of accessible spaces based on the total number of spaces in the lot or structure:
| Total Spaces in Lot | Minimum 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 |
| 501–1,000 | 2% of total |
| Over 1,000 | 20, plus 1 for each 100 over 1,000 |
Van-Accessible Spaces
Of the required accessible spaces, at least 1 in every 6 accessible spaces (or fraction thereof) must be van-accessible. Van-accessible spaces are wider and have taller clearance requirements to accommodate vehicles with lifts or ramps. A van-accessible space must be either: (a) a standard accessible space with an 8-foot-wide access aisle, or (b) a space with a 60-inch (5-foot) access aisle that has at least 98 inches (8 feet 2 inches) of vertical clearance in the space, access aisle, and on the vehicular route.
Space and Access Aisle Dimensions
- Standard accessible space: 8 feet wide minimum, with a 5-foot-wide access aisle adjacent.
- Van-accessible space (wider aisle option): 8 feet wide, with an 8-foot-wide access aisle.
- Van-accessible space (wider space option): 11 feet wide, with a 5-foot-wide access aisle.
- Access aisle: Must be marked, same length as the parking space, and connect to an accessible route to the building entrance.
- Slope: Maximum 1:48 (2%) in all directions in accessible spaces and access aisles.
Location Requirements
Accessible parking spaces must be on the shortest accessible route from parking to the accessible building entrance. If multiple entrances are accessible, accessible spaces should be distributed to serve each. For facilities with multiple parking lots or structures, each lot or structure must independently meet the accessible space count requirements, not be pooled across the facility.
Key Exam Points
- Table 208.2 counts: 1 space per 25 (first 100 spaces), then progressive counts.
- 1 in 6 accessible spaces must be van-accessible.
- Standard accessible space: 8 ft wide + 5 ft access aisle.
- Van-accessible (wider aisle): 8 ft space + 8 ft access aisle; or 11 ft space + 5 ft aisle.
- Maximum slope in accessible parking: 1:48 (2%) in all directions.
Study PA on AREprep
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