Workplaces in California are legally required to provide accessible and handicap parking under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The ADA has detailed guidelines for accessible parking in job settings, thereby ensuring that workers with disabilities have safe and reasonable access to parking spots. Handicap parking spaces must have specific dimensions and striping that meets federal guidelines, along with adjacent access aisles to ensure there is enough room for safe navigation.
Are you a California employee with questions or concerns about your right to handicap and accessible parking at your workplace? If your employer failed to provide you with accessible parking according to ADA regulations, you may have grounds to file a claim for monetary damages. The employment lawyers of CLLEAG are here to assist you, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so call us today for a free consultation.
Standards for an ADA-Compliant Parking Lot
The Americans with Disabilities Act requires accessible spaces for parking by disabled individuals at the following facilities:
- Parking lots and garages
- Public parking areas
- Unpaved / temporary lots
- Employee parking spaces / area
Please note that hard, non-slip surfaces are essential in unpaved parking areas, like gravel parking lots. Even if the designated handicap parking space meets the right dimensions, a wheelchair user would still be hindered by the lack of a flat and firm surface. Thus, enhancing these lots with a wheelchair-compatible surface provides accessibility and enhances the user’s safety.
ADA Design Standards for Accessible Parking Areas
Employers must follow specific design standards that are set in the ADA when they construct or renovate a parking lot or garage. These standards include:
- An accessible parking space should be at least 96 inches in width, accompanied by an access lane of 60 inches
- Van accessible spots must be at least 132 inches wide with a vertical clearance of 98 inches. Please note that the additional 36 inches compared to a regular accessible parking spot may be incorporated into the access lane.
- All accessible spots, aisles, and pathways cannot have a slope ratio that exceeds 1:48 for a parking spot and 1:12 for pathways and ramps.
Access Lanes for a Handicap Parking Spot
All accessible parking spots must have an access lane to make it easier for disabled individuals to move around the area. The parameters for an ADA-compliant accessible lane are:
- Clear markings to indicate that no one should park in the designated space.
- Ensuring that each accessible space has an aisle on at least one side, and van-accessible spots that are angled have a passenger-side lane.
- Making sure there are no signs, pillars, or other obstructions in the aisles
- The aisles should be linked to an accessible path that’s at least 3 feet wide. Stairs or curbs in the area should be replaced by ramps that have a 36-inch landing. In addition, ramp (side) flares can be installed to make the transition onto the access route as safe as possible
The striping for access aisles should be clear and distinct in order to deter others from parking over the lane. Special considerations must be made for angled spots, like adding a passenger-side aisle for angled van-accessible sports. While it’s optional, adding accessibility aisles on both sides of the spot enhances functionality for disabled individuals.
For the most part, the width of a parking spot is measured from the center of the stripes. However, the entire stripe width may be used for the measurement if there is no adjacent spot or aisles.
Consult a Workplace Disability Discrimination Lawyer
Adhering to parking space requirements for disabled workers is a legal requirement for all employers in California. If your employer is in violation of federal parking regulations, our legal team is here to fight for you and the compensation you deserve.
There is a Zero Fee Guarantee for all victims of workplace discrimination, so there is nothing for you to pay when you hire us. We wait until the end of your case to collect legal fees, and only if we succeed in recovering your payment. If not, we charge you $0 for the cost of legal services.
Contact California Labor Law Employment Attorneys Group today and schedule a free case evaluation.
