Understanding parking space dimensions is an important first step when planning a new parking lot or updating an existing one. The right layout must account for drive aisles, ADA compliance, and your site’s unique conditions.
Turner Asphalt provides professional parking lot paving and pavement marking services to support commercial parking projects. This guide covers standard, accessible, van-accessible, and parallel parking dimensions to help you plan your layout.
What Are Standard Parking Space Dimensions?
Standard parking space dimensions vary by city. While 9 feet wide by 18 feet long is a common reference, local codes determine the required size.
| City | Standard Parking Dimensions |
|---|---|
| Raleigh, NC | 8.5 × 18 feet (90-degree parking) |
| Charlotte, NC | 8.5 × 18.5 feet (90-degree parking) |
| Wilmington, NC | 8.5 × 18 feet (standard vehicles) |
How Parking Angle Affects the Layout
Parking angles affect drive aisle width, traffic flow, and available space.
- 90-degree: Requires room for vehicles to turn and back out.
- 60-degree: Often supports one-way traffic.
- 45-degree: Changes parking row depth and turning space.
Are Narrower Parking Spaces Allowed?
Yes, some North Carolina cities permit compact spaces. Raleigh allows 7.5-by-15-foot spaces with compact-only markings, while Wilmington lists 8-by-16-foot spaces for certain uses. Check local codes before using smaller dimensions.
ADA Parking Space Dimensions for Cars and Vans
ADA parking space dimensions, also commonly called handicap parking space dimensions, follow federal accessibility standards. These requirements establish minimum widths for accessible parking stalls and their adjacent access aisles.
| Configuration | Minimum Space Width | Minimum Access-Aisle Width |
|---|---|---|
| Accessible car space | 8 feet | 5 feet |
| Van-accessible space (wider stall) | 11 feet | 5 feet |
| Van-accessible space (wider aisle) | 8 feet | 8 feet |
Additional requirements include:
- Shared access aisles: Two accessible spaces may share an aisle when the layout meets ADA parking requirements.
- Angled van parking: Access aisles must sit on the passenger side.
- Vertical clearance: Van-accessible spaces, access aisles, and the vehicle routes serving them must provide at least 98 inches of clearance.
- Other accessibility features: Surface conditions, slopes, accessible routes, and signage must also meet ADA standards.
Van-Accessible Spaces vs. Ordinary Van Parking
Van parking space dimensions depend on the intended use. Van-accessible parking must follow ADA stall, aisle, and clearance requirements to accommodate wheelchair-accessible vehicles.
Ordinary parking for delivery or commercial vans does not automatically require these ADA dimensions. Instead, property owners should consider vehicle length, width, turning space, and local parking regulations.
Parallel Parking Space Dimensions
Parallel spaces run alongside the driving aisle rather than perpendicular to it. Property owners must account for vehicle maneuvering, aisle width, and traffic flow when planning parallel parking along lot edges or access roads.
According to Raleigh, North Carolina’s Unified Development Ordinance, parallel parking spaces measure 8 feet wide by 22 feet long.
Accessible Parallel Parking Requires a Separate Review
Accessible parallel parking requires more than the standard stall dimensions. Requirements depend on whether the space sits within a parking lot or along a public street:
- Parking lots: Follow applicable ADA requirements for parking spaces, access aisles, and accessible routes.
- Public streets: Review applicable public right-of-way accessibility requirements and local regulations.
Common Mistakes When Planning Parking Lot Dimensions
Incorrect parking lot dimensions waste space, create traffic problems, and require costly changes. Avoid these five common mistakes when planning your layout.
- Not accounting for traffic flow: Counting parking stalls alone overlooks drive aisles, turning areas, pedestrian routes, and other required features. Plan the full layout before calculating parking capacity.
- Using the same dimensions for all accessible spaces: ADA requirements differ for car and van-accessible parking. Compare both permitted van configurations, including their access aisle widths, before assigning spaces.
- Assuming compact spaces are allowed everywhere: Cities have different rules for compact parking. Check local size limits, designation requirements, and permitted uses before adding smaller stalls.
- Overlooking grading and drainage: Poor grading leads to standing water and pavement damage. Coordinate the parking layout with drainage and utilities before construction begins.
- Measuring parking lines incorrectly: ADA parking space and access aisle widths generally use the centerlines of markings. When a space or aisle is not adjacent to another parking space or access aisle, measure the full width of the marking at that boundary. Confirm these measurements before installing pavement markings.
Plan Your Parking Lot Layout With Turner Asphalt
Proper parking space dimensions are just the start of a successful parking lot project. Turner Asphalt provides professional parking lot paving, drainage, and striping services to support your site’s layout and intended use.
Discuss your property’s existing conditions and proposed parking layout with our team. Request a parking lot consultation to get started.
