Don’t wait to get your parking lot striped per CA Guidelines – lawsuits are being filed daily for parking lots who are not ADA Compliant
If you lease to, operate, or own a business serving the public in Los Angeles CA, then you are required to be in compliance with the ADA California guidelines and have responsibilities for both new construction and existing facilities. ADA requirements have been in effect since 1992. Therefore, regulations for facilities that were built prior to 1993 are not as strict as those that were built after the early part of 1993 or modified following early 1992.
Amount of Parking Disability-Accessible Parking Spaces
The amount of disabled parking spaces required by the ADA depends on how many parking spaces are in your garage or parking lot. For a lot that has 1 to 25 spaces, you are required to have one disabled space. You need to have two disabled spaces if you have 26-50 spaces. You will need three for 51-75 spaces; four for 76-100 spaces; five for 101-150 spaces; six for 151-200 spaces; seven for 201-300 spaces; eight for 301-400 spaces; and nine for 401-500 spaces. If you have 501-1,000 spaces, the ADA requires that 2 percent of your total spaces be disabled spaces. Parking lots with 1,001 or more spaces need to have 20 spaces as well as one space for every 100 spaces over 1,000.
Size and Placement of Parking Spaces
Your parking spaces are required to be 8 feet wide. Your parking spaces need to have enough space for the vehicle and space to the left or right for an access aisle. This aisle allows an individual in a wheelchair, or another device, to be able to get out of a van or car. The access aisle for cars needs to be 5 feet wide at least and as long as the actual parking space.
When measuring for your spaces, make sure you include the paint line’s width that separates the spaces if it is an access aisle or another space. If the disabled space is an access aisle or next to another space, measure from the middle of the line.
Your parking spaces should be closest to the entrance of your business. If the spaces that are near the entrance are on sloped or difficult terrain, select the closest area that is level. The route to your entrance should not have any steep surfaces or steps and should be slip-resistant, firm, and stable.
Spaces for Vans
Out of your total disabled parking spaces, one out of eight is required to be van accessible. These spaces need to have an access aisle that is 5 feet wide at least. There should be at least 98 inches of vertical clearance all the way around the space, all the way along to the exit and at the parking space.
Handicap Signage
You also must put up a sign that has the international accessibility symbol, which is highly recognizable with its white figure sitting in a wheelchair and blue background, position in front of the parking space and installed high enough so that a vehicle in the parking space does not hide it. Van-accessible spaces need to have a sign with a “van accessible” international symbol. The signs can be purchased by business owners at a business supply store or online.
ADA Compliance in Los Angeles
The ADA Compliance Los Angeles 1992 like ADA compliance of other US states has some unique requirements. For example, the conditions of qualifying disabilities in California are not the same as in other federal states. Even the disabled parking placards and plates are different based on their disabilities.
Disabilities Qualifying for ADA Los Angeles Compliance
- The list is quite lengthy and includes complicated heart diseases, respiratory or lung issues requiring portable oxygen tanks, arthritis, and other chronic inflammatory diseases.
- Eyesight issues or hearing problems.
- Hypersensitivity to sunlight,
- Limb or mobility issues require a wheelchair, Zimmer frame, crutches, or prosthetic limb.
- Mental issues like anxiety should be certified by medical professionals.
Regarding Los Angeles handicap parking rules and ADA norms, the final say on disability eligibility lies with the government and certified medical professionals.
Distinguished Parking Placards and Plates
The California ADA requirements for businesses, public offices, and parking lots are all different. When it comes to parking spaces, the Department of Motor Vehicles in California has a system of assigning different placards and plates for disabilities.
Permanent Placards/ Plates:
Those having permanent disabilities like paralysis can claim a permanent placard from the officials.
Temporary Placards:
These temporary placards are made for disabilities or injuries having chances of injury like bone fractures. However, the ADA parking norms permit them to renew the placards at most six times, with a doctor’s certification.
Travel Placards:
Travel plates or placards are applicable for individuals with permanent disability only. They can claim such placards while traveling outside California for the next 1 month. Similarly, someone visiting the state of California from another state can have the facility for the next 90 days.
There are no charges included for permanent and travel placards as per ADA compliance Los Angeles rules. But for having temporary disabled placards, individuals will be charged a partial amount. Similarly, the first disabled license plate does not need any amount which can cost nearly $21 for replacements.