It’s not only good business sense to make your property accessible to everyone—it’s the law. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 protects individuals with disabilities from discrimination and provides them with equal opportunities, access, and enjoyment of all public facilities. Compliance with Title III of ADA is a federal requirement, and violations may result in costly fines and lawsuits.
At A&A Paving, we have been serving Elgin, IL for over 60 years, where we’ve won multiple industry awards. We are well-versed in all the nuances of local ADA regulations!
Are you planning an upcoming paving project? If you’re a commercial property owner, it’s imperative that your parking lot complies with ADA’s list of requirements.
Is Your Commercial Parking Lot up to Code?
On September 15, 2010, The Department of Justice published revised regulations in the Federal Register (the “2010 Standards”). These articles enforce minimum technical and scoping requisites for local government properties, public accommodations, and commercial facilities. If your property’s building permit falls on or after March 15, 2012, all new construction and alterations must comply with the 2010 Standards. If the date occurs on or after September 15, 2010, and before March 15, 2012, then you may comply with either the 1991 or the 2010 Standards.
Number of Accessible Parking Spaces
According to IL’s 2010 Standards, the number of accessible parking spaces depends on the total number of installed spaces in your parking lot or structure:
| Total Number of Parking Spaces Provided in Parking Facility | Minimum Number of Required Accessible Parking Spaces |
| 1 to 25 | 1 |
| 26 to 50 | 2 |
| 51 to 75 | 3 |
| 76 to 100 | 4 |
| 101 to 150 | 5 |
| 151 to 200 | 6 |
| 201 to 300 | 7 |
| 301 to 400 | 8 |
| 401 to 500 | 9 |
| 501 to 1000 | 2 percent of total |
| 1001 and over | 20, plus 1 for each 100, over 1000 |
Additionally, one out of every six of the accessible parking spaces in your lot must be “van-accessible.”
What Makes a Parking Space Accessible?
The following criteria will ensure your parking spaces are ADA compliant. This list is broad and in no way exhaustive, so be sure to work with your local paving company to prevent any lawsuits or fines.
- Dimensions and Pavement Markings
Accessible spaces must be eight feet wide with a five-foot-wide access aisle and clearly marked with proper line striping. Clear pavement markings not only add aesthetic value, but emphasize your concern for property and visitor safety. Van-accessible spaces should be approximately 11 feet wide with a five-foot access aisle, and two spaces can share these aisles. You must provide a vertical clearance of at least 98 inches.
Note: Van-accessible spaces require additional criteria. Work with us to ensure your parking lot meets all the necessary conditions.
- Signage
Accessible parking spaces must be clearly marked with the international sign of accessibility. You must post the sign at least 60 inches off the ground and indicate that violators can face a fine of up to $200.
- Location and Slope
Accessible parking spaces must be placed closest to your business’s entrances. The route should be slip-resistant with no steps or steep surfaces. Additionally, the maximum slope in all directions of your parking spaces must be 1:48. This is the most common violation. Review article 401 of ADA accessibility standards.
Partner Up with a Local Paving Company
The 2010 Standards is an incredibly complex document with detailed criteria outlining even signage text size! Protect your business and the good faith you’ve built with your community; don’t risk ADA violations and expensive penalties.
If you are a property owner in the Chicagoland area, we are here to help! Contact us for a free quote and to partner with us today.
