ADA-Compliant Parking Lot Striping: What Fairfield County Business Owners Need to Know

Enacted by Congress in 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act, popularly known as ADA, protects people with disabilities from discrimination. Yet, over 30 years later, many business owners are still confused about what this means for parking lot striping.

For businesses in Fairfield County, ADA compliance goes beyond just painting the handicap symbol on your pavement. Your parking lot must also meet the latest measurement, design, and layout guidelines set by the ADA.

At 1-800-STRIPER®, we have seen firsthand how accessible parking lot striping benefits businesses, both in avoiding fines and building a welcoming environment for everyone. In this post, we will explain everything you need to know about line stripping and ADA compliance.

Let’s get started.

What Does ADA Compliance Mean for Parking Lots

ADA was created to provide people with disabilities equal access to all services, including parking lots. So, for business owners, ADA compliance means following guidelines for accessible parking spaces, signage, and layout.

It typically includes, but may not be limited to:

1. Accessible Parking Spots: These must be marked and reserved for individuals with disabilities.
2. Proper Signage: Visible signs must display accessible spaces, including van-accessible spots.
3. Van-Accessible Spaces: Parking lots must have wider spaces to accommodate wheelchair-accessible vans, typically with an adjacent access aisle.

While the ADA is at the heart of accessibility, each state, city, or county has the right to set requirements beyond these federal guidelines. Many states, like California, have extensive accessibility laws, which is why parking lot striping in Bridgeport may be different from the one in New York.

As your business is located in Fairfield County, your parking lot striping must comply with Connecticut’s state laws and local city regulations in addition to ADA guidelines.

What Makes Your Parking Lot Striping ADA Compliant

Here are a few key points related to ADA-compliant parking lot striping, as outlined in the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design.

1. Number of Accessible Spaces: You must set aside a certain number of accessible spaces based on the size of your lot. For example, if your parking lot has 1 to 25 parking spots, at least one must be accessible for both cars and vans. This number goes up as your lot size increases.
2. Size and Dimensions: Each accessible parking space must be at least 8 feet wide, with van-accessible spaces requiring an additional 5-foot access aisle for wheelchair users.
3. Accessible Routes: The route to accessible parking space must be marked clearly. It doesn’t necessarily have to be closest to your building but rather easily accessible to the entrance.
4. Signage: Signs must be placed high enough so that they are not blocked by other vehicles.
5. Slope and Surface: Each accessible parking space must be on a leveled, firm, and slip-resistant surface, with a slope no greater than 1:48. This design helps wheelchair users safely get in and out of their vehicles.

When restriping a parking lot, you must adhere to these guidelines, including local or state regulations.

Benefits of ADA-Compliant Parking Lot Striping for Businesses

Accessible parking lot striping is not just a legal requirement—it’s an investment in your business’s future. Here’s why:

1. Avoid Legal Penalties: Restriping a parking lot as per ADA guidelines can help you avoid steep fines and potential lawsuits. This simple step can protect your business and brand reputation from costly legal headaches.
2. Improved accessibility: Making your business accessible to all customers, including those with disabilities, improves customer satisfaction and loyalty. It shows you care about your customers and helps you build a positive brand image.
3. Better Reputation: Prioritizing accessibility is often seen as more inclusive and socially responsible, which helps boost your reputation in the local community. Studies show that more than half (57%) of consumers are more loyal to brands that commit to addressing social inequities.
4. Broader Customer Base: With accessible parking, you can tap into a broader local customer base, as virtually everyone can visit your business. It’s one of the easiest ways to grow your loyal customer base.

Can ADA Compliance Affect Your Parking Lot Layout

Meeting ADA compliance may require you to adjust the layout of your parking lot. Sometimes, this involves restriping or adding more parking spots to ensure the correct number of accessible spaces are available.

In most cases, old parking lots lack striping ADA compliance. If your parking lot was striped years ago, you may want to check and update it according to the latest guidelines. This might mean reconfiguring the layout, repositioning signs, or checking if accessible routes are properly marked.

How ADA-Compliant Striping in Fairfield County Works

If your parking lot isn’t in good condition, you might want to add fresh lines and markings.

The process typically involves four steps:

1. Initial assessment: The first step is evaluating your current parking lot layout and determining whether it meets the latest accessibility guidelines. It includes counting the spaces, measuring dimensions, and inspecting signage.
2. Planning and Layout: Once the assessment is complete, you must plan the layout, ensuring the correct number of accessible spaces and marked pathways.
3. Restriping and Signage: Next, create visible, ADA-compliant parking spaces using fresh, weather-resistant paint and install proper signage.
4. Final Inspection: Finally, check the parking lot to make sure it is in line with ADA compliance and local Fairfield County regulations.

What Happens If Your Parking Lot Is not ADA Compliant

Failing to comply with ADA guidelines can lead to serious consequences:

1. Penalties: Failure to meet ADA guidelines can land your business in legal hot waters, which often includes steep fines. The federal government can charge a fine of up to $75,000 for the first violation and $150,000 for each subsequent violation. As you can see, the cost of non-compliance far outweighs the investment for parking lot striping.
2. Damaged Reputation: As many as 60% of customers don’t like buying from a brand with a negative reputation. Non-compliance can damage your reputation online and offline, and you might see your customer base drop over time.
3. Risk of Lawsuits: Potential customers with disabilities may file lawsuits against your business if your parking lot striping isn’t up to the mark. By June 2024, 4,280 ADA Title III lawsuits had been filed in federal courts. Unless you wish your business to be one of them, you would want to invest in ADA-compliant line stripping.

Hire A Local Contractor in Fairfield County for ADA Compliance

Although a legal requirement, creating an ADA-compliant parking lot striping is easier said than done. That’s why working with a local line striping contractor is a smart move. Being professional, they know how to do the job right, the first time.

1. Knowledge of regulations: A seasoned line striping contractor in Fairfield County knows local, state, and federal regulations. This means your parking lot striping will comply with all rules.
2. Accuracy: Striping companies use high-quality materials and precise measurements to guarantee that your lot meets all ADA requirements, from the measurements to the signage.
3. Long-term Solution: A professional job means your parking lot striping can remain compliant for years, saving you from having to redo the work soon.

Keep Your Parking Lot in Fairfield County ADA Compliant

In Fairfield County, maintaining ADA compliance is more than just a legal requirement—it’s a chance to make your business accessible and welcoming. People are more likely to buy from a brand that prioritizes accessibility. In other words, if your parking lot was striped years ago, you might want to update it now.

That’s where we come in! 1-800-STRIPER® specializes in layout design, ADA compliance, custom stenciling, and restriping. Let’s make your parking lot accessible. Your customers and community will thank you.

Contact us to get started!