Van accessible parking space dimensions
California and ADA widths for car and van stalls, access aisles, length, slope and clearance, with a dimensioned plan.
A van accessible parking space is the one most often built wrong, because California and the federal ADA use different widths. If a project in California is built to the ADA numbers alone, the van stall can come out 12 inches too narrow.
California vs ADA dimensions
| Item | California (CBC 11B-502) | 2010 ADA (502) |
|---|---|---|
| Car space width | 108 in (9 ft) min | 96 in (8 ft) min |
| Van space width | 144 in (12 ft) min, or 108 in with a 96 in aisle | 132 in (11 ft) min, or 96 in with a 96 in aisle |
| Space length | 216 in (18 ft) min | Not specified |
| Access aisle width | 60 in min, full length of the space | 60 in min, full length of the space |
| Slope of space and aisle | 1:48 (2.08%) max, no changes in level | 1:48 max |
| Vertical clearance | 98 in min (11B-502.5) | 98 in min for van spaces (502.5) |
| How many van spaces | 1 for every 6 accessible spaces or fraction of 6 (208.2.4) | |
Aisle marking
The access aisle is outlined in blue, hatched at 36 inches on center maximum and marked "NO PARKING" in white letters at least 12 inches high (CBC 11B-502.3.3). One aisle may serve two spaces, one on each side.
Common field findings
- Van stall striped at 132 in (the ADA number) instead of 144 in
- Aisle shorter than the stall, or curb ramp built into the aisle
- Slope over 2% in the stall or aisle, usually near a drain
- Van stall in a garage with less than 98 in of headroom
- Missing "Van Accessible" sign (see handicap parking sign requirements)
The full parking checklist, including stall counts and the route to the entrance, is in the handicap parking requirements guide.
Questions people ask
How wide is a van accessible parking space in California?
144 inches (12 feet) minimum with a 60 inch access aisle, or 108 inches (9 feet) when the access aisle is 96 inches (8 feet) wide (CBC 11B-502.2).
How wide is a van accessible space under the ADA?
132 inches (11 feet) minimum with a 60 inch aisle, or 96 inches (8 feet) with a 96 inch aisle (2010 ADA 502.2).
How long does an accessible parking space have to be?
California requires 216 inches (18 feet) minimum for car and van spaces (CBC 11B-502.2). The 2010 ADA does not set a length.
How many van spaces do I need?
One van accessible space for every six accessible spaces, or fraction of six (CBC 11B-208.2.4 and ADA 208.2.4).
What vertical clearance does a van space need?
98 inches minimum along the van space, its access aisle and the vehicle route to them (CBC 11B-502.5, ADA 502.5).
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.
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