Garrett County's Permits and Planning Office occasionally receives inquiries from businesses about handicap parking requirements. To address these inquiries, the Office has provided the following information:
The Americans with Disabilities Act
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) contains specific requirements intended to make businesses accessible to people with disabilities. These standards apply to many aspects of a business, including parking. Making parking lots ADA compliant can help all customers have an equal opportunity to access goods and services. The following information is intended to help businesses that are considering restriping or altering their parking lot. Please contact the Permits and Planning Office for more information.
Locating and Sizing Accessible Parking Spaces
Accessible parking spaces should be located on the shortest accessible route of travel to the business entrance. Each parking space should be at least 96 inches wide and have an adjacent access aisle at least 60 inches wide. Two parking spaces may share a common access aisle. One of every four accessible parking spaces, but always at least one, must be van accessible with an adjacent access aisle at least 96 inches wide.
Calculating the Correct Number of Accessible Spaces
The minimum number of accessible parking spaces is based on the total number of spaces in the parking lot or facility. For parking lots with up to 100 spaces, 1 accessible space is required for every 25 total spaces. The ratio of required spaces changes for parking lots with more than 100 spaces. For larger parking lots please review the ADA or contact the Permits and Planning Office.
Marking the Spaces Clearly
Accessible spaces must be identified with a blue handicapped parking sign with a notice of any applicable fines. Free-standing signs must be at least 7 feet above the ground. Signs attached to a building shall be located between 6 and 10 feet above the ground. Required access aisles should be clearly marked.
Helpful Links
If you have any questions, please contact the Permits and Planning Office directly at 301-334-1920 or permits@garrettcountymd.gov.
