If you own or manage a business, church, office or apartment lot in Texas, your accessible parking has to meet two sets of rules: the federal ADA and the Texas Accessibility Standards. This guide explains how many accessible spaces your lot needs, how wide the spaces and aisles must be, what Texas adds for signs and “NO PARKING” markings, and what to check before your lot is restriped.
This is general information, not legal advice. Your city’s code office, your architect or a Texas Registered Accessibility Specialist can tell you exactly what applies to your property.
What are the ADA parking requirements in Texas?
In Texas, accessible parking for public and commercial properties must follow the 2010 ADA Standards and the 2012 Texas Accessibility Standards (TAS), plus a Texas rule on signs and aisle markings. The space and aisle sizes in TAS match the federal standards. Texas adds its own sign wording and painted aisle lettering on top.
Here is how the pieces fit together, as of 2026:
- The ADA is federal civil rights law. It applies to businesses open to the public and to state and local governments.
- The Texas Accessibility Standards are enforced by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). TDLR says the Texas law covers public and commercial buildings and facilities, but not private residences.
- Texas rule 16 TAC 68.104 sets extra requirements for signs and access aisle markings at paved accessible spaces.
Does restriping a parking lot trigger ADA rules?
Yes. When a lot is restriped, the accessible spaces have to be laid out to current standards. The U.S. Department of Justice says businesses and state and local governments that restripe must provide accessible parking spaces as required by the 2010 ADA Standards.
The same DOJ guide notes that businesses also have an ongoing duty to remove barriers in existing parking when it is readily achievable, and that restriping is usually considered readily achievable. In plain terms: you cannot simply repaint the old lines if the old layout no longer meets the rules.
This is one reason restriping after a sealcoat is a good time to review your accessible spaces. The old lines are covered anyway, so the layout can be corrected without extra paint removal.
How many accessible parking spaces do you need?
The number depends on the total spaces in each lot or garage, not the whole property. At least one in every six accessible spaces must be van accessible, and every lot with parking needs at least one van space.
This table comes from the DOJ restriping guide, based on section 208.2 of the 2010 ADA Standards.
| Total spaces in the lot | Accessible spaces required | Of those, van accessible |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 25 | 1 | 1 |
| 26 to 50 | 2 | 1 |
| 51 to 75 | 3 | 1 |
| 76 to 100 | 4 | 1 |
| 101 to 150 | 5 | 1 |
| 151 to 200 | 6 | 1 |
| 201 to 300 | 7 | 2 |
| 301 to 400 | 8 | 2 |
| 401 to 500 | 9 | 2 |
| 501 to 1,000 | 2 percent of total | 1 of every 6 accessible spaces |
| Over 1,000 | 20, plus 1 for each 100 over 1,000 | 1 of every 6 accessible spaces |
Hospital outpatient areas, rehabilitation and physical therapy facilities, and residential properties have different counts. If your lot serves one of those uses, check the rules for that use before restriping.
How big do accessible spaces and access aisles have to be?
A standard accessible space is at least 96 inches (8 feet) wide with a 60-inch (5-foot) access aisle beside it. A van space needs either a 132-inch space with a 60-inch aisle, or a 96-inch space with a 96-inch aisle.
These sizes come from section 502 of the Texas Accessibility Standards, which match the federal standards. The key details:
- Measuring. Widths are measured from the center of the painted lines. Where a space or aisle is not next to another one, the full line width can count.
- Shared aisles. Two accessible spaces can share one access aisle.
- Aisle length. The aisle has to run the full length of the space it serves.
- Angled van spaces. The aisle must be on the passenger side, since most van lifts deploy on that side.
- No overlap. The aisle cannot be part of the drive lane.
- Height. Van spaces, their aisles and the route to them need at least 98 inches of vertical clearance. This mostly matters in garages and under canopies.
How level does the parking area need to be?
Accessible spaces and their aisles can slope no more than 1:48 in any direction, which is about 2 percent. That is close to flat, and it is one of the most common problems on older lots.
The DOJ guide also says that when you add accessible spaces to an existing lot, they should go on the most level ground close to the accessible entrance. TAS adds that built-up curb ramps cannot stick out into the space or the aisle, because that creates a slope steeper than allowed.
Around Waco and much of Central Texas, clay soils shrink and swell with the seasons. Over time that can tilt slabs, lift edges and create low spots. If your accessible spaces have shifted, a repair or overlay may be needed before restriping can make them compliant. Paint alone cannot fix a slope.
What signs and markings does Texas require?
Every accessible space needs a sign with the International Symbol of Accessibility, and van spaces need a sign that also says “van accessible.” Texas also requires a fine and towing sign and painted “NO PARKING” lettering in the access aisle.
The accessibility sign
Under TAS 502.6, the bottom of the sign must be at least 60 inches above the ground. That height keeps the sign visible above parked cars.
Texas rule 68.104 additions
Texas rule 16 TAC 68.104 adds these requirements for paved accessible spaces:
- A sign that says, at a minimum, “Violators Subject to Fine and Towing,” with letters at least one inch tall.
- That sign mounted on a pole, post, wall or freestanding board, no more than eight inches below the accessibility sign.
- The bottom of that sign between 48 and 80 inches above the ground.
- The words “NO PARKING” painted in capital letters at least 12 inches tall, with a stroke at least 2 inches wide, centered in each access aisle.
TDLR says this rule took effect August 1, 2020, and that it applies to new and alteration projects that started on or after that date, even those below the $50,000 registration threshold.
The standards do not set a paint color for the markings. TAS says the method and color are left to state or local rules, so check with your city before choosing.
Where should accessible spaces go?
Accessible spaces belong on the shortest accessible route to an accessible entrance. If a building has more than one accessible entrance, the spaces should be spread out so each entrance has spaces close by.
The route from the aisle to the door matters as much as the paint. The DOJ guide says it must be at least 3 feet wide, have a firm, stable and slip-resistant surface, and never include curbs or stairs. Where cars pull up to a sidewalk that is part of the route, wheel stops help keep bumpers from cutting the walkway below 36 inches.
Do you need to register the project with TDLR?
Construction projects in Texas with an estimated cost of $50,000 or more must be registered with TDLR and reviewed by a Registered Accessibility Specialist (RAS). Smaller projects do not have to be registered, but TDLR says they still must comply with TAS.
A simple restripe is usually well below that threshold, but a full repave or a larger renovation may not be. If you are not sure, ask your city before the work starts.
Checklist before your lot is restriped
- Count the total spaces in each separate lot or garage.
- Use the table above to confirm how many accessible and van spaces you need.
- Pick spaces on the most level ground nearest each accessible entrance.
- Check the slope of each accessible space and aisle. Fix low spots and heaved areas first.
- Confirm space and aisle widths, measured from line centers.
- Put van aisles on the passenger side of any angled van spaces.
- Plan “NO PARKING” lettering in each aisle at the size Texas requires.
- Check that each space has an accessibility sign at the right height, plus the fine and towing sign.
- Walk the route from the aisles to the door. Look for curbs, gaps and broken pavement.
- Ask your city about paint colors, permits and any local rules.
For the rest of your lot’s upkeep, our parking lot maintenance guide covers sealcoating, crack sealing and a full maintenance schedule.
Frequently asked questions
How many handicap parking spaces are required in Texas?
It depends on the size of each lot. A lot with 1 to 25 spaces needs 1 accessible space, a lot with 26 to 50 needs 2, and the number climbs from there. At least one in every six accessible spaces must be van accessible.
Does a small business lot with only a few spaces need an accessible space?
Yes. Even a lot with 1 to 25 spaces needs at least one, and that space must be van accessible. The DOJ notes that where a site has four or fewer total spaces, the “van accessible” sign is not required, but the space itself still has to meet van space sizes.
What does the “NO PARKING” marking in the aisle have to look like?
Texas requires the words “NO PARKING” in capital letters at least 12 inches tall, with a stroke at least 2 inches wide, centered in each access aisle next to the accessible space.
Do these rules apply to my home driveway?
No. TDLR says the Texas accessibility law does not apply to private residences. These rules are for businesses, public buildings and other commercial properties.
Can I just repaint my old accessible spaces the way they were?
Only if they already meet current standards. The DOJ says restriping must provide accessible spaces under the 2010 ADA Standards, so an outdated layout should be corrected when the lot is repainted.
Our crews lay out and paint accessible spaces, aisles and symbols as part of our parking lot striping work for businesses, churches and HOAs in Waco and across Central Texas. We work from the rules for your city and lot size, and we can fix low spots and damaged pavement before the paint goes down.
Get a free estimate. Contact Prime Asphalt & Chip Sealing to tell us about your lot, and we will set up a time to take a look.
