Parking and Exterior Access / Signs and Identification - Parking Spaces

Signs and Identification - Parking Spaces

When Signs Are Required

  • Required when 5 or more spaces are provided

Permanent Parking Space Signs

Each parking space must have a permanent reflectorized porcelain enameled steel sign with the following specifications:

Sign Specification Requirement
Sign Area Minimum 70 sq. in.
Material Reflectorized porcelain enameled steel with raised text or equal
Free Standing Sign Mounting Height Minimum 80" above finish grade
Wall Mounted Sign Mounting Height Minimum 36" above finish grade
Location Interior end of parking space, centered

Van Accessible Spaces: At van accessible spaces, an "VAN ACCESSIBLE" sign must be mounted below the symbol of accessibility.

Tow Away Signs

Tow away signs must be placed at each entrance to parking area or adjacent to accessible parking spaces.

Tow Away Sign Specifications

Specification Requirement
Minimum Width 17"
Minimum Height 22"
Letter Height Minimum 1"

Required Tow Away Sign Text

UNAUTHORIZED VEHICLES PARKED IN 
DESIGNATED HANDICAPPED SPACES NOT 
DISPLAYING DISTINGUISHING PLACARDS 
OR LICENCE PLATES ISSUED FOR 
PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS 
WILL BE TOWED AWAY AT OWNER'S 
EXPENSE. TOWED VEHICLES MAY BE 
RECLAIMED AT (Address) OR BY 
TELEPHONING (Telephone Number)

Parking Space Pavement Markings

Three compliant options for marking handicapped parking spaces:

  1. Handicapped symbol 36" x 36" in white on blue background shall be visible when vehicle is parked.
  2. Stall outlines in blue with handicapped symbol in white located anywhere in the stall space.
  3. Stall space in blue with handicapped symbol in white located anywhere in the stall space.

Parking Space Emblem Specifications

┌────────────────────────────────┐
│                                │
│        36" x 36"               │
│                                │
│    ////////////////////////   │
│    ////////////////////////   │
│    ////  Handicapped  /////   │
│    ////    Symbol     /////   │
│    ////////////////////////   │
│    ////////////////////////   │
│                                │
└────────────────────────────────┘

Placement Note: Emblem must be located in stall so that it is visible by a person standing or seated when a vehicle is properly parked in the space (centered in stall is recommended).

Reserved for Handicapped Sign Variations

┌───────────────────────────────┐
│  1/2 RADIUS                   │
│  Blue and White               │
│  Reflectorized Sign           │
│                               │
│  "RESERVED FOR HANDICAPPED"   │
│  (two variations shown)       │
│                               │
│  Sign to be centered at the   │
│  interior end of the parking  │
│  space                        │
│                               │
│  Area of sign to be a min.    │
│  of 70 sq. in.                │
└───────────────────────────────┘

For details on the parking spaces themselves, see Accessible Parking Requirements. For guidance on routes connecting parking to building entrances, see Exterior Routes of Travel: Walks, Sidewalks, and Ramps.

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