36 CFR Parts 1190 and 1191 ADA and ABA Accessibility Guidelines - Preamble (Discussion of Comments and Changes)

Location of Accessible Parking Spaces

Section 208.3 specifies the location of accessible parking spaces. This section has been edited to clarify:

• the location of accessible spaces generally (208.3.1
• that an exception allowing van spaces to be clustered applies to "multi-story" parking facilities (208.3.1, Exception 1)
• that "substantially equivalent" or greater access in terms of travel distance, parking fee, and user cost and convenience is the basis upon which accessible spaces can be located in one facility instead of another (208.3.1, Exception 2)
• that accessible parking serving individual residential dwelling units must be located on the shortest accessible route to the units they serve (208.3.2)

Comment. Spaces can be located in other lots where equal or greater access would result in terms of travel distance, user cost, and convenience (208.3.1, Exception 2). Comments requested clarification of the terms "user cost" and "user convenience."

Response. In the final rule, the Board has replaced the reference to "user cost" with "parking fee" which it considered more descriptive. Under this exception, accessible spaces can be located in one parking facility instead of another so long as this does not result in higher parking fees. The Board has clarified the term "user convenience" in a new advisory note.