Parking Lot Restriping and Accessibility
Updated: Oct 16
Review the whole parking arrangement before putting fresh paint over an old layout.
Markings Are Only One Part of Access
Accessible parking involves more than a painted symbol. Spaces, access aisles, signs, surface slopes and the route to the entrance must work together.
Before restriping a commercial lot, determine whether the existing arrangement has been reviewed and whether the project changes it. Repeating old lines does not establish that the layout meets the requirements that apply to the property.
The following questions help organize the discussion with the appropriate design or accessibility professional. They are a planning guide, not a site-specific compliance determination.
Are the Spaces in the Right Locations?
The route between parking and the accessible entrance matters. Review where people leave their vehicles and how they reach the building, including curbs and crossings along the way.
A space can be visibly marked yet connected to an unsuitable route. Moving a symbol without reviewing the surrounding arrangement can leave the underlying issue unresolved.
Are Access Aisles and Signs Accounted For?
Access aisles provide room beside a vehicle for people using mobility devices. They need to remain available for that purpose rather than become extra parking or storage space.
Signs and van-accessible provisions also deserve attention. The complete arrangement should be identified before striping is priced and applied.
Use the U.S. Department of Justice's accessible parking guidance as a starting resource, then obtain the review needed for the actual property.
Do Slopes or Surface Conditions Need Work?
Paint cannot correct an excessive slope, a broken surface or a poorly placed curb ramp. If pavement repairs or changes in elevation are needed, those should be resolved before the final markings.
This is one reason to coordinate asphalt repair and paving decisions with the layout review. Completing work in the wrong order can require disturbing a newly finished surface.
Is This a Refresh or a Change in Layout?
Refreshing approved markings and changing the arrangement are different projects. Adding stalls, moving accessible spaces or altering traffic directions may raise questions beyond paint application.
Have the responsible professional identify the applicable federal, California and local requirements. In California, a Certified Access Specialist, or CASp, can be an appropriate resource for evaluating construction-related accessibility.
Do not use a general online diagram as the final design for a property with its own entrances, grades and constraints.
What Should the Striping Contractor Receive?
Provide the reviewed layout and a clear description of the markings included. Identify any related work that must be completed first, such as pavement repairs or changes to signs and routes.
Also define vehicle removal and access during the project. An accessible route should not be overlooked when the property is divided into work sections.
A Practical Example
Suppose an owner wants to add parking stalls after sealcoating. The proposed arrangement also moves an accessible space to a different part of the lot.
That is more than a request for additional lines. The new position, route to the entrance, access aisle, signs and grades need review before the arrangement is painted. Resolving those questions first helps avoid redoing finished work.
Plan the Markings as Part of the Property
Tri County Asphalt provides parking lot striping throughout the Central Valley. Share the layout and related paving or maintenance needs when requesting your estimate, with any required design and accessibility review completed before application.
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