Accessible parking checklist: CBC 11B vs ADA
Every accessible parking requirement in California CBC 11B-502 next to the 2010 ADA Standards, with a field checklist for CASp inspections.
Parking is where most accessibility inspections start and where many findings are written. California's CBC Chapter 11B is stricter than the 2010 ADA Standards for most parking items, so a California CASp has to check both and apply the more protective one. Here is the full checklist with the numbers side by side.
CBC 11B-502 vs ADA 502 at a glance
| Item | CBC 11B (California) | 2010 ADA |
|---|---|---|
| Car space width | 108 in (9 ft) min · 11B-502.2 | 96 in (8 ft) min · 502.2 |
| Van space width | 144 in (12 ft) min, or 108 in with a 96 in aisle · 11B-502.2 | 132 in (11 ft) min, or 96 in with a 96 in aisle · 502.2 |
| Space length | 216 in (18 ft) min · 11B-502.2 | No minimum length |
| Access aisle width | 60 in min, full length of the space · 11B-502.3 | 60 in min · 502.3 |
| Van aisle side | Passenger side · 11B-502.3.4 | Either side (passenger side for angled van spaces) · 502.3.4 |
| Aisle marking | Blue border, hatching at 36 in max on center, "NO PARKING" in white letters 12 in high min · 11B-502.3.3 | Marked to discourage parking · 502.3.3 |
| Slope | 1:48 (2.08%) max in all directions, spaces and aisles level with each other · 11B-502.4 | 1:48 max · 502.4 |
| Vertical clearance | 98 in min for spaces, aisles and the vehicle route serving them (some existing multistory car spaces: 80 in) · 11B-502.5 | 98 in min for van spaces, aisles and route · 502.5 |
| Identification sign | ISA white on blue, reflectorized, 70 sq in min, bottom 60 in min above grade (80 in in a circulation path), "Minimum Fine $250", "Van Accessible" where required · 11B-502.6 | ISA, bottom 60 in min above grade, "van accessible" on van spaces · 502.6 |
| Surface ISA marking | 36 in × 36 in min in each space, centered within 6 in of the space centerline · 11B-502.6.4 | Not required |
| Tow-away sign | 17 in × 22 in min, 1 in letters min, at each entrance to the lot or next to the accessible spaces · 11B-502.8 | Not required |
| Van spaces | 1 of every 6 accessible spaces (or fraction), at least one · 11B-208.2.4 | 1 of every 6 (or fraction), at least one · 208.2.4 |
How many accessible spaces?
The minimum depends on the total number of spaces in the lot (CBC 11B-208.2 and ADA 208.2). For small lots: 1 to 25 spaces need 1 accessible space, 26 to 50 need 2, 51 to 75 need 3 and 76 to 100 need 4. In each of these ranges at least one of them must be van accessible.
Field checklist
Count and location
- Total spaces counted, and the required number of accessible and van spaces.
- Accessible spaces on the shortest accessible route to the accessible entrance.
Space and aisle
- Space width and length measured to the centerline of the striping.
- Aisle width, full length, and on the passenger side for van spaces.
- Blue border, hatching at 36 in max on center and "NO PARKING" lettering in the aisle.
- Slopes in both directions with a 2-ft or 4-ft smart level: 1:48 max (2.08%) everywhere in the space and aisle. Take several readings, not one.
- No curb, wheel stop or ramp inside the aisle that blocks it.
Signs and markings
- ISA sign at the head of each space, reflectorized, 70 sq in min, mounted 60 in min to the bottom (80 in where people walk under it).
- "Minimum Fine $250" and "Van Accessible" where required.
- 36 in × 36 in ISA painted in each space.
- 17 × 22 in tow-away sign at each lot entrance or next to the spaces.
Route
- An accessible route from the aisle to the entrance without passing behind other parked cars where avoidable.
- Curb ramps, detectable warnings and running/cross slopes along that route (checked as their own elements).
Writing the parking findings
Write each failed item as its own finding with the measured value, the CBC and ADA sections, and the correction. Restriping alone is often a cheap fix; slope problems usually mean removing and replacing paving, so give those an honest priority and schedule. See how to write a CASp report for the full finding format.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Codes and statutes change; always check the current edition of the California Building Code, the 2010 ADA Standards and the Civil Code before you rely on a number.
Write the report in the fieldPARS CASp checks your level and tape readings against CBC 11B and the 2010 ADA side by side, keeps photos with each finding, and builds the CASp report for you. iPhone, iPad and Mac.
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