2012 Florida Accessibility Code for Building Construction Pocket Guide
502 Parking Spaces
502.1 General. Car and van parking spaces shall comply with 502. Where parking spaces are marked with lines, width measurements of parking spaces and access aisles shall be made from the centerline of the markings.
EXCEPTION: Where parking spaces or access aisles are not adjacent to another parking space or access aisle, measurements shall be permitted to include the full width of the line defining the parking space or access aisle.
502.2 Vehicle Spaces. Each parking space must be at least 12 feet (3658 mm) wide shall be marked to define the width, and shall have an adjacent access aisle complying with 502.3. See section 406.5 curb ramp location.
Exception: For on-street parallel parking spaces and theme parks or an entertainment complex in which are provided continuous attendant services or designated lots for parking by persons who have disabilities: Car parking spaces shall be permitted to be 96 inches (2440 mm) wide minimum; Van parking spaces shall be permitted to be 96 inches (2440 mm) wide minimum where the access aisle is 96 inches (2440) wide minimum and shall be designated “van accessible”; Alternatively, van parking spaces shall be permitted to be 132 inches (3350 mm) wide minimum where the access aisle is 60 inches (1525 mm) wide minimum and shall be designated “van accessible”.
2010 ADA Standards 502.2 Vehicle Spaces. 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 502.3.
EXCEPTION: Van parking spaces shall be permitted to be 96 inches (2440 mm) wide minimum where the access aisle is 96 inches (2440 mm) wide minimum.
Advisory 502.2 Vehicle Spaces. Pursuant to s.553.512, F.S., Florida requirements, except s.553.041(c)1 parking space and access aisle width, may be waived down to the requirements of the ADA Standards for Accessible Design. No waivers are required for on-street parallel parking spaces and theme parks or an entertainment complex in which are provided continuous attendant services or designated lots for parking by persons who have disabilities pursuant to ss.553.041(5)(c)3. and (d), F.S., and the Exception to 502.2.
502.2.1 On-street parallel parking. Spaces must comply with sections 208 and 502 of the ADA Standards for Accessible Design. Curbs adjacent to such spaces must be of a height that does not interfere with the opening and closing of motor vehicle doors.
Figure 502.2 Vehicle Parking Spaces
502.3 Access Aisle. Access aisles serving parking spaces shall comply with 502.3. Access aisles shall adjoin an accessible route. Two parking spaces shall be permitted to share a common access aisle. Parking access aisles must be part of an accessible route to the building or facility entrance. Access aisles must be placed adjacent to accessible parking spaces. All spaces must be located on an accessible route that is at least 44 inches (1118 mm) wide so that users are not compelled to walk or wheel behind parked vehicles except behind his or her own vehicle.
Exception: Access aisles are not required for on-street parallel parking.
Advisory 502.3 Access Aisle. Accessible routes must connect parking spaces to accessible entrances. In parking facilities where the accessible route must cross vehicular traffic lanes, marked crossings enhance pedestrian safety, particularly for people using wheelchairs and other mobility aids.
Florida law, s.553.5041(5)(a), F.S., requires placement of accessible routes such that persons with disabilities are not compelled to walk or wheel behind parked vehicles other than their own vehicle. Florida law, s.553.5041(5)(d), F.S., allows on-street accessible parking to not have an access aisle.
Figure 502.3 Parking Space Access Aisle
502.3.1 Width. Access aisles serving car and van parking spaces shall be 60 inches (1525 mm) wide minimum.
502.3.2 Length. Access aisles shall extend the full length of the parking spaces they serve.
502.3.3 Marking. Access aisles shall be marked so as to discourage parking in them. The access aisle must be striped diagonally to designate it as a no-parking zone.
Advisory 502.3.3 Marking. The method and color of marking are not specified by these requirements but may be addressed by State or local laws or regulations. Because these requirements permit the van access aisle to be as wide as a parking space, it is important that the aisle be clearly marked.
Florida law, s.553.5041(5)(c)1., requires diagonal striping of access aisles.
502.3.4 Location. Access aisles shall not overlap the vehicular way. Access aisles shall be permitted to be placed on either side of the parking space except for angled van parking spaces which shall have access aisles located on the passenger side of the parking spaces.
Advisory 502.3.4 Location. Wheelchair lifts typically are installed on the passenger side of vans. Many drivers, especially those who operate vans, find it more difficult to back into parking spaces than to back out into comparatively unrestricted vehicular lanes. For this reason, where a van and car share an access aisle, consider locating the van space so that the access aisle is on the passenger side of the van space.
502.4 Floor or Ground Surfaces. Parking spaces and access aisles serving them shall comply with 302. Access aisles shall be at the same level as the parking spaces they serve. Changes in level are not permitted.
EXCEPTION: Slopes not steeper than 1:48 shall be permitted.
Advisory 502.4 Floor or Ground Surfaces. Access aisles are required to be nearly level in all directions to provide a surface for wheelchair transfer to and from vehicles. The exception allows sufficient slope for drainage. Built-up curb ramps are not permitted to project into access aisles and parking spaces because they would create slopes greater than 1:48.
502.5 Vertical Clearance. Parking spaces for vans and access aisles and vehicular routes serving them shall provide a vertical clearance of 98 inches (2490 mm) minimum.
Every nonresidential structure built on or after January 1, 1991, which is designed to use covered or underground parking as the primary available parking space shall design the covered or underground parking facility to maintain a minimum height for the portion of the street-accessible level of the parking facility directly over van-accessible parking spaces and for providing ingress and egress to such parking spaces of at least 8 feet 2 inches (2489 mm). Signs shall be posted to warn operators of handicap-equipped vans that they cannot pass beyond a certain point due to height limitations. If compliance with this minimum height clearance requirement will cause the structure to exceed local height limitations imposed by local zoning, planning, or fire ordinances, or will result in the imposition of any additional requirements of such ordinances, the structure may exceed the height limitation specified in those particular codes as necessary to comply with the requirements of this section and is exempt from such additional requirements. Structures for which the plans were sealed by an architect prior to January 1, 1991, are exempt from this section.
2010 ADA Standards 502.5 Vertical Clearance. Parking spaces for vans and access aisles and vehicular routes serving them shall provide a vertical clearance of 98 inches (2490 mm) minimum.
Advisory 502.5 Vertical Clearance. Signs provided at entrances to parking facilities informing drivers of clearances and the location of van accessible parking spaces can provide useful customer assistance.
Florida law, s.553.511, F.S., requires signs be posted that will warn handicapped-equipped van operators of height limitations so they will not pass beyond a point where the van cannot be maneuvered.
Florida law also preempts local government height restriction ordinances that would prohibit compliance with the minimum height requirements of this section. Also, any local or state law or regulation that prohibits a covered entity from complying with requirements of the ADA may render such jurisdiction in violation of the ADA.
502.6 Identification. Parking space identification signs shall include the International Symbol of Accessibility complying with 703.7.2.1. Signs identifying van parking spaces when required by 502.2 shall contain the designation "van accessible."
502.6.1 Each such parking space must be striped in a manner that is consistent with the standards of the controlling jurisdiction for other spaces and prominently outlined with blue paint, and must be repainted when necessary, to be clearly distinguishable as a parking space designated for persons who have disabilities. The space must be posted with a permanent above-grade sign of a color and design approved by the Department of Transportation, which is placed on or at least 60 inches (1525 mm) above the finished floor or ground surface measured to the bottom of the sign and which bears the international symbol of accessibility the caption "PARKING BY DISABLED PERMIT ONLY." Such a sign, erected after October 1, 1996, must indicate the penalty for illegal use of the space.
Any provision of this section to the contrary notwithstanding, in a theme park or an entertainment complex as defined in Section 509.013 in which accessible parking is located in designated lots or areas, the signage indicating the lot as reserved for accessible parking may be located at the entrances to the lot in lieu of a sign at each parking place.
Advisory 502.6 Identification. The required "van accessible" designation is intended to be informative, not restrictive, in identifying those spaces that are better suited for van use. Enforcement of motor vehicle laws, including parking privileges, is a local matter.
Parking space and access aisle configurations required for all accessible parking by Florida law, s.553.5041, F.S., meet the van accessible space requirements of the ADA Standards for Accessible Design. Therefore, no accessible space is more suitable than any other accessible space for “van accessible” parking. Florida law only requires “van accessible” parking signs in parking structures where van parking may be limited to the first level accessible spaces.
Florida accessible parking signs must include indication of the penalty for illegal parking in addition to the accessible parking symbol required by the ADA Standards for Accessible Design.
502.7 Relationship to Accessible Routes. 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.
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.
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