2012 Florida Accessibility Code for Building Construction Pocket Guide
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.
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