ADA parking requirements are set at the federal level and enforced through state and local code. In North Carolina and South Carolina, the standards follow the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design plus state building code. Getting them wrong is a compliance risk and, more importantly, it affects real customers who need accessible access.

How many accessible stalls do you need?

Federal minimums scale with total parking capacity.

1 to 25 total stalls: 1 accessible
26 to 50: 2 accessible
51 to 75: 3 accessible
76 to 100: 4 accessible
101 to 150: 5 accessible
151 to 200: 6 accessible
Continues up from there

Medical, outpatient, and rehab facilities have higher accessibility ratios. Confirm your property type against current code before finalizing a layout.

Van-accessible stalls

At least one out of every six accessible stalls (or fraction thereof) must be van-accessible. Van-accessible stalls need a 96-inch access aisle and 98-inch vertical clearance on the entire route from the site entrance to the accessible entrance.

Access aisles

Standard accessible stall: 60-inch access aisle
Van-accessible stall: 96-inch access aisle
Two stalls may share one access aisle
Access aisles must be striped and marked to discourage parking

Signage

Each accessible stall requires a sign with the International Symbol of Accessibility, mounted 60 inches minimum from the ground to the bottom of the sign, and it must not be blocked by a parked vehicle. Van-accessible stalls need an additional "Van Accessible" designation.

Slope

The accessible stall AND the access aisle must be no steeper than 1:48 (about 2%) in any direction. Slopes exceeding this fail compliance.

Path of travel

The accessible route from the stall to the building entrance must be at least 36 inches wide, slip-resistant, and free of steps. Curb ramps must meet slope and detectable warning requirements.

How restriping helps

Every time we restripe a commercial lot, we walk the ADA layout with the owner. If the existing layout was grandfathered or is out of compliance, restriping is often the cheapest moment to bring it current. Atkins Paving handles ADA striping, signage coordination, and layout for lots across NC and SC.