The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires businesses to provide accessible parking and signs for those with disabilities. This guide shows how to properly layout parking lot ADA signs to comply with the law.
Types of ADA Parking Lot Signs
Van-accessible signs must be placed at least five feet from the ground and have the International Symbol of Accessibility (ISA). Van signs are required if the parking lot has van-accessible spaces. Van-accessible spaces must be at least eight feet wide and have an adjacent access aisle five feet wide.
Handicapped parking signs must be placed at least three feet from the ground and have the International Symbol of Accessibility on them. These signs are required for all handicapped parking spaces, regardless of whether they are van accessible or not.
Specifications for ADA Signs
All ADA signs must be made from durable material at least three-eighths of an inch thick. The sign text must be in upper- and lower-case letters and at least five-eighths of an inch high. The sign background must be a contrasting color to the text.
Signs must be placed in locations visible from the parking space. They should also be placed facing outward, so drivers can see them as they approach the space.
When placing handicapped parking signs, it is important to note there must be at least one sign for every eight handicapped parking spaces. For example, if there are sixteen handicapped parking spaces, at least two handicapped parking signs must be installed.
ADA signs need to be visible at night and in low light conditions. For this reason, they must be illuminated. The best way to do this is to use solar-powered LED lights. These lights are easy to install and require no wiring. They automatically turn on at night and provide plenty of light to make the signs visible.
Benefits of ADA Compliant Parking Lot Signs
Installing ADA signs in public parking lots is the law. But more importantly, it is the right thing to do. By providing accessible parking and signs, a business is inclusive and welcoming to everyone. This can only lead to good things for the company in terms of customer relations and the bottom line.
If you have questions about how to properly layout your parking lot signs, or if you need help installing compliant signs, contact our team at FASTSIGNS® of Sacramento/Natomas Airport Area, CA. We are happy to assist you and make sure your business is following the ADA.
