If you own or manage commercial property in Athens — retail, office, medical, multifamily, or institutional — ADA-compliant parking isn't a nice-to-have, it's a legal requirement with real liability exposure if it's ignored. This guide breaks down what property owners actually need to know, in plain language.
How many accessible spaces do you need?
The ADA sets minimum accessible space counts based on total parking supply. As a general guideline for standard lots:
- 1–25 total spaces: 1 accessible space
- 26–50 total spaces: 2 accessible spaces
- 51–75 total spaces: 3 accessible spaces
- 76–100 total spaces: 4 accessible spaces
- 101–150 total spaces: 5 accessible spaces
- For every 6 accessible spaces (or fraction thereof), at least 1 must be van-accessible with an 8-foot access aisle
These are general federal guidelines — always confirm current local Athens-Clarke County requirements for your specific property type, since some uses (medical facilities, for example) have stricter minimums.
Placement matters as much as count
Accessible spaces need to be on the shortest accessible route to the building entrance — not just technically present somewhere in the lot. For properties with multiple entrances, like many retail centers along Atlanta Highway, accessible spaces should be distributed so each entrance has reasonable access, not all clustered at one end.
Markings and signage that are commonly missed
- The international symbol of accessibility painted directly on the pavement, not just on a sign
- A properly sized, striped access aisle beside each accessible space (wider for van-accessible spots)
- Vertical signage mounted at the correct height, visible even when a vehicle is parked in the space
- "Van Accessible" signage specifically for van spaces — a common miss even in otherwise compliant lots
- Accessible route striping connecting the parking area to the building entrance where applicable
Why this gets overlooked
ADA striping fades at the same rate as the rest of your lot's paint, but it's often the last thing property managers think to check during a routine walk-through — until a complaint, inspection, or incident brings it up. Bundling an ADA compliance review into your regular restriping cycle (which we recommend doing alongside sealcoating) keeps it from slipping through the cracks.
Getting it right the first time
When Athens Asphalt Repair handles parking lot striping, we calculate required accessible space counts based on your total parking supply, verify placement relative to building entrances, and use accurate stencils and durable traffic-grade paint for both markings and symbols. It's built into every commercial striping project, not sold as an upsell.
