How to Design an Accessible Parking Stall | Go Back | Home

This document is intended as a guide for designing parking spaces reserved for persons with disabilities as required by State law.  It does not replace the parking space and related design requirements contained in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG); Chapter 291, Part III, Hawaii Revised Statutes; and Chapter 11-219, Hawaii Administrative Rules.

When did the rules for parking space design become effective?
The effective date for the State rules was December 15, 2001, however, entities became subject to penalty for noncompliance on July 1, 2002.  The effective date for complying with the federal requirements was January 26, 1992.

Who issues the State rules?
The Disability and Communication Access Board (DCAB) has administrative authority at the State level.

Why are the State requirements necessary?
The State established these requirements to provide uniform, recognizable signage and marking of parking spaces for persons with disabilities and to ensure that citations issued by enforcement officers are upheld in court.

Do the State requirements replace the federal requirements as outlined in the ADAAG?
No, but they do expand upon federal requirements.  It is important to reference both standards into the final design.  The basic principle is to use the most stringent requirement per element of design in creating an accessible parking space.

What entities are covered by the State rules?
The rules cover privately owned parking facilities and sites subject to the ADA.  The rules also cover all State or county parking facilities and sites, including residential facilities.

What entities are NOT covered by the State rules?
Entities not covered include private clubs and religious entities exempt from ADA coverage, private residential facilities covered by the Fair Housing Amendments Act, employee parking, and property under federal government jurisdiction.

How does one determine the correct number of accessible parking spaces required for a given parking lot?
The ADAAG requires a minimum number of accessible parking spaces based on a percentage of the total number of spaces in a parking lot (see table below).  For every 8 accessible parking spaces required by ADAAG, at least 1 accessible parking space must be van-accessible.  If only 1 accessible parking space is required, it must be van-accessible.  (NOTE: Medical facilities require a higher percentage of spaces than indicated in the table.)

Parking Space Design

Where can I find the minimum design requirements for car and van-accessible parking spaces in the ADAAG?
Sections 4.6.2, 4.6.3, and 4.6.5.

What are the additional State design requirements for car and van-accessible parking spaces?

• The parking space must be outlined on both sides with a 4" wide line.  There is no color requirement, although the striping must be clearly visible in contrast to the parking surface.  Blue or white is preferred.
• Access aisles must be outlined except on the curb side of the space and shall be diagonally striped within the outline.  The outline and diagonal striping shall be 4" in width.  The diagonal striping shall be at a 45 degree angle to the outline. There is no color requirement, although the striping must be clearly visible in contrast to the parking surface.  Blue or white is preferred.

Parking Space Signage

Where can I find the ADAAG minimum design requirements for signage of car and van-accessible spaces?
Section 4.6.4.

What are the additional State requirements for signage of car and van-accessible spaces?

• The following elements are required on the sign:
1.  the words "Reserved Parking,"
2.  the International Symbol of Access,
3.  the words "Maximum Fine $500," and
4.  the words "Placard or Special License Plate Required."
• Minimum sign dimensions are 12" wide by 18" long.
• Minimum mounting height of the "Reserved Parking" sign is 80" from the bottom of the sign to the ground.
• Minimum mounting height of the "Van Accessible" sign is 80" from the bottom of the sign to the ground.
• Access aisles for van-accessible spaces must have a "No Parking -- Access Aisle"  sign posted.

Noncompliance

What are the penalties for noncompliance with the design and signage requirements of the State rules?
A private entity is subject to a minimum fine of $250 up to a maximum fine of $500 for each day of noncompliance per violation.

Do police officers and volunteer parking enforcement officers issue citations for noncompliance with the design and signage requirements of the rules?
No.  Only a court can issue a penalty for noncompliance in response to a private right-of-action.

Vehicle Tow Away

Is towing of vehicles illegally parked in spaces reserved for persons with disabilities required?
No.  However, if a parking lot provides for towing, it must comply with the requirements set forth in section 290-11, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

More Information

• There is no federal or State requirement to paint the International Symbol of Access on the ground.
• The DCAB recommends against painting the entire surface of the parking space or access aisle a solid color because it creates a slippery surface.
• For sign colors and material, DCAB recommends compliance with the uniform standard prescribed by the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways at 23 CFR Part 655, Subpart F.  Colors that coincide with those of an entity's color scheme may be used on the sign as long as the sign shows the required information and meets the minimum dimensions prescribed by the rules.
• The "Reserved Parking" sign shall be mounted at minimum 80" above the ground to the bottom of the sign, unless technically infeasible because of low ceiling height, in which case the sign shall be mounted at the highest point above the ground.  The sign shall be mounted on a free-standing pole, on a wall, or suspended overhead.  The sign shall not be mounted so as to obstruct ingress to, or egress from, a vehicle parked in the parking space.
• If the parking space is required to be van-accessible, a "Van Accessible" sign shall be mounted immediately below the "Reserved Parking" sign at minimum 80" above the ground to the bottom of the "Van Accessible" sign, unless technically infeasible because of low ceiling height, in which case the "Van Accessible" sign shall be mounted at the highest point above the ground.  Mounting a "Van Accessible" sign may require raising the mounting height of the "Reserved Parking" sign.
• The "No Parking -- Access Aisle" sign may be mounted up to 2' into the access aisle from the street with at least 36" of clear space on either side of the sign post.  The sign shall be mounted at minimum 80" above the ground to the bottom of the sign, unless technically infeasible because of low ceiling height, in which case the sign shall be mounted at the highest point above the ground.  The sign shall be on a free-standing pole, on a wall, or suspended overhead.  The sign shall  not be mounted so as to obstruct ingress to, or egress from, a vehicle parked in the parking space.

Where can I obtain a copy of the State rules?
A full copy of the parking rules is on the DCAB web site at: www.hawaii.gov/health/dcab .  Click the " Administrative Rules link and then select the Chapter 219 link (either text of print version) for a copy of the rules.  The parking space signage and design requirements are in section 11-219-14 of the rules.

Where can I obtain a copy of the ADAAG?
A full copy of the ADAAG is on the U.S. Access Board web site at: www.access-board.gov/ .  Click on the "Publications" link and then on the "ADA Accessibility Guidelines" html, or text, or pdf format link.  Contact the U.S. Access Board toll free at (800) 872-2253 voice or (800) 993-2822 TTY (Eastern time).