What Are the ADA Accessible Parking Guidelines in Louisiana?
Are you designing a Louisiana parking lot and struggling to navigate ADA accessible parking guidelines? You’re not alone. Handicap parking in Louisiana is important, ensuring full accessibility to everyone while accommodating the needs of those with disabilities. While the ADA is federal law, exact parking requirements can vary with additional state and local codes. Louisiana accessibility codes can be difficult to understand, but we’ve put together a simple breakdown of core features that every parking lot in Louisiana needs to stay compliant.
What Are ADA Accessible Parking Guidelines?
The Americans with Disabilities Act is a landmark civil rights law that protects people with disabilities from discrimination. The law is federal, but individual states also have unique rules. The law is expansive, covering many facets of public life. However, ADA standards parking lot codes dictate specific features that every publicly accessible surface lot and garage must have.
The feature most people are familiar with is accessible parking spaces. They’re easily identifiable and reserved for those with disabilities. While they look simple, ADA standards parking lot codes require a specific number of accessible spaces, distinct sizing, specific markings and more.
How Many Spaces Do I Need to Reserve for Handicap Parking in Louisiana?
The first question many property owners and managers have revolves around the number of accessible parking spaces they need to meet Louisiana accessibility standards. The minimum number of spots dedicated to handicap parking in Louisiana depends on the total number of spaces a lot can accommodate. Here’s a quick breakdown of accessible parking requirements.
•Parking Lots with Up to 100 Total Spaces: One van or universal accessible parking space for every 25 spaces.
•Parking Lots with 101-200 Total Spaces: Four handicap spaces plus an additional spot for every 50 standard spaces above 100.
•Parking Lots with 201-500 Total Spaces: Six handicap spaces plus an additional spot for every 100 standard spaces above 200.
•Parking Lots with 501-1,000 Total Spaces: Two percent of total spaces must be handicap parking in Louisiana with one van or universal accessible space for every eight standard accessible spaces.
What Do ADA Accessible Parking Guidelines Say About the Size of Handicap Spaces?
Louisiana accessibility codes do more than dictate the number of handicap spaces needed. They also regulate the size of those spaces. Standard car-accessible spots must be at least 96 inches wide and have an accompanying 60-inch access aisle. Two accessible parking spaces can share an access aisle, but it must be at least 60 inches wide.
According to Louisiana accessibility codes, van-accessible aisles should also be 96 inches wide. However, the access aisle beside it must also be 96 inches wide to fit ramps.
Universally accessible spaces are the biggest. ADA standards parking lot codes require them to be 132 inches wide with a 60-inch access aisle.
What Other Features Do I Need to Meet Louisiana Accessibility Standards?
In addition to having the right number of accessible spots, you must include additional features to comply with Louisiana accessibility standards. These include clear striping and marking featuring the International Symbol of Accessibility (ISA). Louisiana also requires signage mounted 60 inches above the pavement.
Parking spaces must also have a slope of no more than 1:50, marked pathways to the building entrance, accessible curb ramping and more.
If you need help navigating the complex world of accessible parking requirements, Second Line Striping is here to help! We’re well-versed in Louisiana accessibility standards and stay up to date on changing requirements. We’ve helped countless property owners and managers comply with all applicable laws, ensuring full accessibility for everyone. We’re ready to do the same for you! At Second Line Striping, we work hard to exceed expectations while meeting the unique needs of every client, all while maintaining a positive attitude and providing top-notch customer service. We’re here to serve you, offering services like line striping, restriping, warehouse striping, parking lot cleaning, thermoplastic markings and more.
Get your free quote today by calling Second Line Striping at (225)331-0062. You can also email mike@secondlinestriping.com or use our online contact form to get in touch.
