Specialist focus
Accessible spaces, van layouts, access aisles, routes and symbols are treated as one connected marking scope.
Accessible parking marking specialists · Pennsylvania
Accessible parking is more than a blue symbol.
NALU helps property managers turn an approved accessibility scope into one complete, clearly marked system—not just one painted wheelchair symbol. You get specialist attention, straight answers from a real person and precise markings your property can maintain.
NALU provides pavement-marking review and installation—not architectural design, code inspection or legal certification.
A real person answers
Clear communication, practical questions and a responsive path from property photos to a written estimate.
Precise execution
Professional layout, crisp application and completion photos—built around the approved plan and property conditions.
What property owners often hear
Common ADA parking myths—opened up.
These statements sound reasonable and appear frequently in real projects. Select any card for the practical reality. Requirements still depend on the property, applicable code and enforcing authority.
01“The rule starts at 50 spaces.”+
REALITY
No. Under the federal table, a parking facility with 1–25 spaces generally needs at least one accessible space.
02“A wheelchair symbol makes the space compliant.”+
REALITY
The symbol is only one visual element. Width, aisle, slope, route, surface and required identification must work together.
03“ADA parking must always be painted blue.”+
REALITY
The federal Standards do not prescribe blue pavement paint. State or local rules may add color requirements, so the controlling scope must be checked.
04“We can convert any convenient stall.”+
REALITY
A compliant location must also satisfy route, slope, width, aisle and entrance-location requirements.
05“A van space is simply a wider car space.”+
REALITY
Van access also involves the adjoining aisle, vertical clearance, vehicle route and permanent van-accessible identification.
06“One van space is enough for every property.”+
REALITY
At least one of every six required accessible spaces—or fraction of six—must be van accessible.
07“The striped aisle is extra parking or loading space.”+
REALITY
The aisle is transfer space and must be marked to discourage parking. Blocking it can make the adjoining space unusable.
08“A curb ramp can project into the access aisle.”+
REALITY
Built-up curb ramps cannot project into accessible parking spaces or access aisles.
09“A little slope is harmless.”+
REALITY
Parking spaces and access aisles are limited to a 1:48 maximum slope in all directions.
10“The accessible route begins at the sidewalk.”+
REALITY
The access aisle must connect to an accessible route serving the relevant accessible entrance or facility.
11“The painted symbol replaces the upright sign.”+
REALITY
Where identification is required, the permanent sign must remain visible when a vehicle is parked. NALU does not sell signs.
12“Van Accessible means only vans may park there.”+
REALITY
The designation identifies the space configuration; it does not restrict the space only to van users.
13“Our older lot is automatically grandfathered forever.”+
REALITY
Existing public accommodations can have ongoing barrier-removal duties when removal is readily achievable.
14“Restriping is only maintenance, so ADA layout does not matter.”+
REALITY
DOJ guidance treats restriping as an alteration that triggers applicable accessible-parking requirements.
15“Two spaces can always share one aisle.”+
REALITY
Sharing is generally permitted for adjacent spaces, but angled parking spaces need the aisle on the passenger side.
16“We can count all lots on the property together.”+
REALITY
The required number is generally calculated separately for each parking facility on the site.
17“The closest space is automatically compliant.”+
REALITY
Proximity alone is not enough; the space still needs a compliant route, layout, surface, slope and identification.
18“Faded aisle stripes are only cosmetic.”+
REALITY
Access-aisle markings communicate that the area must remain clear. Worn markings can undermine the system.
19“Every facility uses the same parking table.”+
REALITY
Hospital outpatient, rehabilitation and outpatient physical-therapy facilities have special scoping percentages.
20“Paint can solve every ADA parking problem.”+
REALITY
NALU solves the pavement-marking scope. Slopes, curb ramps, signs, clearance and route construction may require other qualified providers.
What must work together
24 details that make the system work.
NALU handles the painted parking-space, access-aisle, route and pavement-symbol scope. These cards also flag connected conditions that the owner, designer, sign provider or code authority may need to verify.
Required space count
The federal table begins at one accessible space for parking facilities with 1–25 total spaces.
Count each facility
Required accessible spaces are calculated separately for each parking facility on a site.
Van-space ratio
At least one of every six required accessible spaces—or fraction of six—must be van accessible.
Car-space width
A car-accessible parking space is at least 96 inches wide and marked to define its width.
Van-space width
A van space is at least 132 inches wide with a 60-inch aisle, unless the alternate layout is used.
Alternate van layout
A 96-inch van space is permitted when paired with a 96-inch-wide access aisle.
Access-aisle width
Access aisles are at least 60 inches wide and adjoin the accessible vehicle space.
Full aisle length
The access aisle must extend the full length of the parking space it serves.
Discourage parking
Access aisles must be marked so drivers understand that the striped area is not a parking space.
Shared access aisles
Two adjacent accessible spaces may share one aisle; angled spaces require passenger-side aisles.
Surface slope
Parking spaces and access aisles are limited to a 1:48 maximum slope in every direction.
Same level
The vehicle space and its aisle must be at the same level; built-up curb ramps cannot project into them.
Accessible connection
Every access aisle must connect to an accessible route leading toward the served entrance or facility.
Shortest route
Spaces serving a facility are located on the shortest accessible route to an accessible entrance.
Multiple entrances
Where accessible entrances are served, parking is dispersed so the required routes remain practical.
No blocked route
Vehicle overhangs, parked cars and markings must not reduce the required clear accessible route.
Vertical clearance
Van spaces, access aisles and their vehicle routes require at least 98 inches of vertical clearance.
Usable surface
Accessible routes, spaces and aisles require stable, firm and slip-resistant ground surfaces.
Painted symbols
High-visibility pavement symbols reinforce the approved accessible parking layout and improve recognition.
Permanent identification
Required upright identification signs must remain visible when vehicles are parked; NALU does not sell signs.
Van identification
The required permanent sign for a van space includes the designation “van accessible.”
Hospital outpatient
Ten percent of patient and visitor spaces serving hospital outpatient facilities are accessible.
Rehab and PT
Twenty percent applies to patient and visitor parking at qualifying rehabilitation and outpatient PT facilities.
Passenger loading aisle
Where an accessible passenger loading zone is required, its aisle is at least 60 inches wide and 20 feet long.
Federal baseline
Accessible-space count.
This table summarizes ADA Standards §208.2. Special rules apply to hospital outpatient facilities, rehabilitation and outpatient physical-therapy facilities, and some residential facilities.
Van spaces: at least one of every six—or fraction of six—required accessible spaces must be van accessible.
| Total parking spaces | Minimum accessible |
|---|---|
| 1-25 | 1 |
| 26-50 | 2 |
| 51-75 | 3 |
| 76-100 | 4 |
| 101-150 | 5 |
| 151-200 | 6 |
| 201-300 | 7 |
| 301-400 | 8 |
| 401-500 | 9 |
| 501-1,000 | 2% of total |
| 1,001+ | 20 + 1 per 100 over 1,000 |
Pennsylvania properties
Which standards apply?
Accessibility can involve overlapping federal, state and local requirements. Pennsylvania identifies the 2018 accessibility provisions as the current statewide baseline and generally relies on municipal or certified third-party code administration.
2010 ADA Standards
Scoping and technical requirements for accessible parking, access aisles, routes and identification.
PA Uniform Construction Code
Accessibility requirements primarily reference 2018 IBC Chapter 11, Appendix E and ICC A117.1.
Municipal code authority
The local code official or certified third-party agency may control plan review, permits, interpretations and project-specific approval.
The NALU approach
Identify. Confirm. Mark. Document.
- 01
Review what is visible
We use aerial imagery, plans and current photos to count spaces and identify visible marking details that need attention.
- 02
Confirm the controlling scope
We compare the requested markings with supplied plans and flag items that should be confirmed by the owner, designer or authority having jurisdiction.
- 03
Install with precision
We lay out and apply the approved spaces, aisles, symbols, crossings and related pavement markings.
- 04
Support ongoing visibility
Completion photos and optional LineCare reviews help property teams monitor wear and plan restriping.
A quick property check
When should you ask for a review?
- The wheelchair symbol or stall lines are faded
- Access-aisle hatching is worn, blocked or missing
- A van space is not clearly identified
- The route to the accessible entrance is unclear
- The lot was resurfaced, restriped or reconfigured
- You are unsure whether the current count matches the facility
The specialist who answers
Make accessibility visible.
Send the property address and current photos. A real person at NALU will review the marking needs, build a clear written scope and identify anything that requires project-specific confirmation.
Standards and official guidance
This page is general information, not a compliance determination. Requirements depend on the property, work performed, applicable code edition and enforcing authority.