General Accessible Parking Requirements
Source: 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design — ada.gov/topics/parking
Location
Accessible spaces must be on the shortest accessible route to the accessible building entrance.
Car Space Width
At least 96 inches (8 feet) wide.
Access Aisle (Car)
At least 60 inches (5 feet) wide. Must be the same length as the space, level with it, and marked to discourage parking in the aisle. Two spaces may share one aisle.
Slope
No more than 1:48 (2.08%) in all directions for the space and access aisle.
Surface
Must be firm, stable, and slip-resistant.
Signage
International symbol of accessibility sign mounted at least 60 inches above the ground (to bottom of sign).
Angled Parking
Access aisles for angled spaces must be on the passenger side of the parking space.
Counting Spaces
Required accessible spaces are calculated per parking structure — not the total spaces across an entire site.
Van Accessible Space Requirements
At least 1 of every 6 accessible spaces must be van accessible. Both options below are compliant — choose one.
Where parking is limited to 4 or fewer spaces, one van accessible space must still be provided — but a sign is not required.
Minimum Required Accessible Spaces
2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design — calculated per lot or structure, not per site.
| Total Parking 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 |
| 1,001 and over | 20 + 1 per each 100 over 1,000 |
Special facility minimums: Outpatient hospital facilities — 10%. Rehabilitation & outpatient physical therapy facilities — 20%. At least 1 of every 6 accessible spaces must be van accessible in all cases.
State-Specific Additional Requirements
MN Building Code §1106.1–1106.7 & MN Accessibility Code §502
Sealcoating / Resurfacing Trigger: Any lot that is seal-coated, resurfaced, or reconfigured must use an 8-foot access aisle. The only exception is repainting over the exact existing lines with no changes.
Space & aisle width: Each accessible space must be at least 8 feet wide with an adjacent 8-foot access aisle (preferably on the passenger side).
Sign height: Permanently mounted, centered at the head of the space, bottom of sign between 60" (min) and 66" (max) from the parking surface. Sign must be at least 12" × 18".
Sign content: International symbol of access in white on blue; must state that a vehicle ID is required and that violators are subject to a fine of up to $200.
Access aisle "No Parking": A permanently mounted "No Parking" sign is required at the head of each access aisle — or painted on the surface if a sign would obstruct a curb ramp.
Special facilities: Apartment buildings and dormitories require a minimum of 2% disability parking. Outpatient hospital facilities require 10%; rehabilitation/physical therapy facilities require 20%.
Wis. Stat. §346.503
Sealcoating / Resurfacing Trigger: Requirements apply to any parking area initially constructed, reconstructed, resurfaced, or seal coated on or after May 27, 1976.
Required spaces: 1 space for 26–49 total spaces; 2% for 50–1,000 spaces; 2% + 1% per additional 1,000 for larger facilities.
Stall width: Reserved spaces must be at least 12 feet wide.
Access aisle: If 4+ accessible spaces are reserved, at least one must have an adjacent 96-inch (8-foot) access aisle, clearly marked. If 20+, at least 10% must have an aisle. Applies to areas constructed or seal coated after August 1, 2014, with adequate clearance for lift van access.
Location: Spaces must be as close as possible to an accessible building entrance or elevator.
Signage: Official traffic signs with the international symbol for barrier-free environments are required. Spaces with a qualifying access aisle must be signed as "Lift Van Accessible Only."
Winter maintenance: Owners/lessees must keep reserved spaces clear of snow and ice in a timely manner.
Is Your Parking Lot Compliant?
Superior Stripe & Seal can assess your lot, re-stripe access aisles to current code, install proper signage, and help keep you protected from complaints and litigation.
* Federal ADA information sourced from the U.S. Department of Justice — ada.gov/topics/parking and the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design.
* Minnesota information sourced from the MN Council on Disability Parking Quick Reference Guide (Revised October 2020), MN Building Code §1106.1–1106.7, and MN Accessibility Code §502.
* Wisconsin information sourced from Wis. Stat. §346.503.
* This page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed accessibility specialist or attorney for compliance determinations.