Are Your Parking Lots In Line?

ADA Compliance

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in everyday activities.

As a property owner, you are required to comply with ADA Standards — otherwise facing up to a $75,000 fine for the first incident and $150,000 for any additional failures to comply.

ADA Compliance

  • Acessible Parking Spaces must be clearly marked with a sign that includes the international symbol of accessibility and must be clearly visible from the parking space. As of 2014 in NYS, “Handicap” must be removed and could be replaced with “Accessible.” It also must be complying with code 703.7.2.1 of at least 60 inches above the ground.

  • Accessible parking spaces must be located on the shortest accessible route of travel to an accessible facility entrance. At least one space for every 6 or fraction of 6 accessible spaces must be van accessible (96 inches) in NYS. Hospital outpatient facilities need 10% of patient/visitor spaces to be accessible and rehabilitation facilities need 20%.

  • An accessible route never has curbs or stairs, must be at least 3 feet wide, and has a firm, stable, slip-resistant ramp surface. If the accessible route is located in front of the parking space, install wheel stops to keep vehicles from reducing the clear width of the accessible route below 36 inches.

Department of Traffic Regulations

  • Strategically placed arrows, directional lines, and compliant indicators ensure a smooth and safe traffic flow. If needed, we also provide custom stencils.

  • High quality, weather-proof D.O.T. rated paint from Sherwin Williams. These paints also can be textured for visibility and slip-resistance.

  • Property owners often overlook parking lot signage that indicate traffic flow, private parking, and emergency notices. For instance, “No Parking,” “Reserved,” & “Charging Stations” signs.

Fire Lane Codes

  • According to American Legal Publishing, fire lane signs should be visible, clear of obstructions, and fitted to a stationary object. They should be reflective, include at least two-inch tall red letters on a white background, and be a minimum of 12″ wide by 18″ tall spaced at 50-foot intervals.

  • Fire lanes should be identified with red-painted curbs with 4” white lettering, OR yellow-painted curbs with 4” black lettering, OR yellow/red-striped asphalt along the entire distance of the fire lane reading: “No Parking - Fire Lane.” Lettering shall spaced at 25-foot intervals.

  • Fire lanes should be no more than 150 feet away from a building’s entrance (for one or two-story buildings) or no more than 50 feet away from an entrance (for buildings with three or more stories). Fire lanes must be at least 20 feet wide.

FAQs

  • To assist you in managing the costs associated with these necessary modifications, you may be eligible for an ADA tax credit. This federal credit can cover 50% of the qualifying expenditures over $250 and up to $10,250 per year.

  • As a property owner, you are required to comply with ADA Standards — fines are often several thousands of dollars. Or in some cases up to a $75,000 fine for the first incident and $150,000 for any additional failures to comply.

  • Thanks to a new state law, current blue signs portraying wheelchair users as passive and inactive must be replaced with a new accessibility icon that better reflects the lifestyles of people with disabilities. Also, the word “handicapped” will be removed.

  • Line Striping is recommended to be maintained every 12-24 months, depending on traffic flow and weather.