Accessible parking spaces are some of the most important lines on your lot. People who use wheelchairs, walkers or lift vans need the extra room. And if the spaces are faded, too small or in the wrong spot, it can lead to complaints, failed inspections or even lawsuits.
The good news is that getting them right is not hard. We do it every week.
What a good accessible space needs
- The right width. A regular accessible space is usually 8 feet wide with a 5-foot striped access aisle next to it.
- A van-accessible space. At least one out of every six accessible spaces has to fit a lift van. That means an 11-foot space with a 5-foot aisle, or an 8-foot space with an 8-foot aisle.
- A striped access aisle. This is the area with diagonal lines where people get in and out. Nobody is allowed to park there.
- The wheelchair symbol painted in the space.
- A sign in front of each space, and a “van accessible” sign on van spaces.
- The closest spot. Accessible spaces should be on the shortest, safest path to your front door.
How many accessible spaces do you need?
It depends on how many total spaces your lot has. A lot with 25 spaces or fewer needs 1. A lot with 26 to 50 needs 2, and it keeps going up from there. We have a full chart on our parking lot striping page, and we count your spaces for you when we measure.
Problems we see all the time
- Spaces that are too narrow because the old lines were painted over a new layout
- No van-accessible space at all
- Access aisles so faded that people park in them
- Handicap spaces way out at the edge of the lot instead of near the door
- Old blue paint peeling off, with nothing underneath
Most of these are easy to fix with a fresh layout and new paint.
Texas rules
In Texas, accessible parking follows the Texas Accessibility Standards. They line up closely with the federal ADA rules. Some cities and property owners have extra requirements, so we always ask before we paint. If you have an inspection coming up, tell us the date and we will plan around it.
Who we do this for
Medical and dental offices, churches, schools, apartment complexes, shopping centers, restaurants and HOA amenity centers all over San Antonio and nearby cities. We can do just the accessible spaces, or restripe the whole lot at the same time.
ADA parking striping FAQs
Do accessible spaces have to be painted blue?
No. The federal rules do not require a certain color. Blue is very common, and a lot of owners like it because it stands out. We will match what you have or what your city expects.
Can you just fix my handicap spaces and leave the rest?
Yes. We are happy to do only the accessible spaces, or we can do them along with a full restripe.
Do you put up the signs too?
We can tell you exactly where signs are needed and what they should say. Just ask when we come out to measure.
Can you move my accessible spaces closer to the door?
Yes. We can black out the old spaces and lay out new ones in a better spot.