The Americans with Disabilities Act is one of the most comprehensive pieces of civil rights legislation to ever go into law. The purpose of the ADA is to ensure that those with disabilities have equal access for shopping, employment, and education. One important section covers accommodations that businesses and organizations must provide to make their parking lots accessible. This section contains many detailed regulations with which you must comply. However, what many people do not realize is that states, counties, and municipalities can enact parking lot compliance regulations that exceed the ADA requirements. In addition, the ADA has undergone revisions and amendments since it first went into effect. This means that your parking lot may no longer comply with all federal and local regulations.

How Do I Know Whether My Asphalt Parking Lot Fully Complies With All ADA Standards?

Parking lot compliance is a very complex topic. For example, the number of accessible parking spaces required can vary by the nature of your operation. To give just one example, an outpatient clinic must generally make 10% of its total parking spaces accessible. However, if the facility specializes in services or treatments for those with mobility impairments, at least 20% of the total spaces must be accessible. The best way to determine whether your asphalt paving lot is legal is to ask an experienced striping contractor. Interview at least three striping contractors to ensure that you choose one with a thorough understanding of the federal, state, and Houston ADA regulations.

If I Fail to Achieve Parking Lot Compliance, What Might Happen?

Under the ADA, any private entity failing to comply could face a fine of $75,000 to $150,000. Furthermore, individuals with disabilities could file class action lawsuits that could result in even heftier penalties.

What Areas of My Asphalt Parking Lot Are Subject to the ADA?

In general, the ADA addresses the spaces in which handicapped individuals park and the surface in those spaces. It also addresses the routes that the individuals must follow to enter your building. Here are some of the points that the ADA covers.

1. Location: Accessible spaces should allow individuals to travel between their vehicles and your entrance by the shortest possible route. The route should not require individuals to pass behind parked vehicles, and the entrance should be an accessible one.
2. Access Aisles: Handicapped spaces must have access aisles that extend the full length of the parking space. Although the federal ADA does not specifically require pavement markings for the access aisles, Texas does. In Texas, access aisles must be striped, and they must bear the words NO PARKING in capital letters that are at least 12 inches high.
3. Pavement: The pavement in accessible spaces and routes must be in good repair. There are also specifications for the slope and grade of the pavements in these areas.
4. Signage: The ADA requires signs that identify each accessible parking space. It also specifies their size and mounting requirements. Texas law also requires signage warning of the consequences of illegally parking in an accessible space.
5. Barriers: Accessible spaces and routes must be free from obstructions, including overhead obstructions. If there are curbs in the access route, curb ramps must be present. Trash receptacles, marketing materials, and similar items must not encroach on the spaces or the routes.

When you need a Houston lot striping expert to ensure your compliance with the ADA, contact Marathon Solutions . In addition to parking lot striping and ADA compliance, we offer a wide range of other asphalt and concrete services. These include asphalt resurfacing, thermoplastic markings, concrete repair, asphalt milling, concrete installation, asphalt crack repair, bollards, parking lot signage, asphalt paving, sealcoating, and marking removal. We have an exceptional reputation for craftsmanship, service, and integrity. For a free quote on your project, call 800-879-1147, email Sales@Marathon-Solutions.com, or submit our online form.