Look at the photo below. What you are looking at are two parking spaces for disabled individuals in front of a quick service restaurant. This is not a common installation because the two spaces face each other and share a aisle between the two spaces. When considering Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) laws, what’s wrong? (HINT: A lot!")

First, where are the lines marking the edges of the spaces? 2010 Standard 502.2, Vehicle Spaces, states, “Car parking spaces shall be 96 inches (2440 mm) wide minimum and van parking spaces shall be 132 inches (3350 mm) wide minimum, shall be marked to define the width, and shall have an adjacent access aisle complying with [Standard] 502.3.”

Second, where are the vertical signs marking the spaces and where is the sign indicating at least one space is van accessible? 2010 Standard 502.6 [Parking Space] Identification, states, “Parking space identification signs shall include the International Symbol of Accessibility complying with {Standard] 703.7.2.1. Signs identifying van parking spaces shall contain the designation “van accessible.” Signs shall be 60 inches (1525 mm) minimum above the finish floor or ground surface measured to the bottom of the sign.” See the image below for a representation of these signs.

Now we do have an accessible aisle, but the vehicle parked there has encroached on the aisle. See the photo below.

Standard 502.7, Relationship to Accessible Routes", states, “Parking spaces and access aisles shall be designed so that cars and vans, when parked, cannot obstruct the required clear width of adjacent accessible routes.” Furthermore, Advisory 502.7, Relationship to Accessible Routes, “Wheel stops are an effective way to prevent vehicle overhangs from reducing the clear width of accessible routes.” The image below is of a common wheel stop.

That’s the worst of it. There were other issues but it is difficult to see those discrepancies in these photos. Including the fact that the vehicle did not have a handicapped parking pass displayed.

Please call me at 615-752-0060, or comment below, should you have any questions.

If you observe a building that is not ADA compliant and you would like to know how to proceed, please see the link at What To Do When A Building Is Not ADA Compliant or Accessible.

ADA Inspections Nationwide, LLC, offers ADA/ABA/FHA accessibility compliance inspections for buildings and facilities, as applicable to the different laws, and expert witness services with respect to ADA/ABA/FHA laws for building owners, tenants and managers. Also, ADAIN offers consulting for home modifications as a CAPS consultant for people wishing to age in place in their homes. For a complete list of services please see ADAIN Services.

Thank you.