Accessible Parking in California: Are You Actually Compliant?

Quick ADA tip for California property owners — and it is one of the most commonly missed.

Most people know they need accessible parking spaces. Fewer know all the rules that come with them.

What the Rules Actually Require

Number of spaces. The number of accessible spaces required depends on your total lot count. One van-accessible space is required for every six accessible spaces.

Van accessibility. At least one space must be van-accessible — 96 inches wide with an 8-foot access aisle. A standard accessible space with a 5-foot aisle does not meet van requirements.

Slope. The access aisle must be level — maximum 2% slope in any direction. This is one of the most common violations we find in the field. A parking lot that looks flat often is not when you measure it.

Signage. Signs must meet height, color, and content requirements. The International Symbol of Accessibility, mounting height, and the addition of a tow-away notice are all regulated.

The path from the stall to your entrance. This is the one that catches most owners off guard. The accessible route from the parking stall to your building entrance must be accessible too — not just the stall itself.

You can have a perfectly compliant parking stall and still be out of compliance if there is a curb, a crack, a steep cross-slope, or an unmarked grade change on the path to the door.

Why This Matters

Accessible parking is one of the first things a plaintiff's attorney checks. It is visible from the street, measurable with basic tools, and frequently non-compliant. A 2.1% slope in an access aisle is a violation. A missing van-accessible designation is a violation. These are the details that generate demand letters.

A CASp inspection covers all of this and gives you a clear, prioritized picture of where you stand — before someone else finds it for you.

Questions about your parking lot compliance? Reach out directly or schedule a CASp inspection.

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