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ADA-Compliant Parking Lot Striping: What Mississippi Business Owners Need to Know
- Oliver Owens
- Nov 6
- 5 min read
If you manage a church lot in Oxford, a clinic in Tupelo, or a retail center off I-55, your striping isn’t just about neat lines—it’s about access, safety, and federal compliance. Getting ADA-compliant parking right protects your guests, reduces liability, and keeps inspectors happy. Here’s a plain-English guide to what matters, what’s frequently missed, and how White Rock, LLC makes it straightforward.
The Big Picture: What “ADA-Compliant Striping” Actually Covers
An ADA-compliant lot covers how many accessible spaces you provide, where they go, and how they’re built and marked—widths, access aisles, slopes, routes, and signage. The 2010 ADA Standards set the minimums, and they’re applied per parking facility (each lot/garage is calculated separately). At least 1 of every 6 accessible spaces must be van-accessible. ADA.gov+1
Mississippi twist: properly marked accessible spaces on private property can be enforced by law enforcement (and vehicles can be towed) under state law—another reason to get it right. Justia+1
How Many Accessible Spaces Do You Need?
Use the ADA table (we calculate this for you during layout):
Dimensions & Slopes (The Specs That Trip People Up)
For car-accessible spaces
For van-accessible spaces (two allowed options)
Option A: 132 in (11 ft) space + 60 in (5 ft) aisle, vertical clearance ≥ 98 in
Option B: 96 in (8 ft) space + 96 in (8 ft) aisle, vertical clearance ≥ 98 in
Slope: ≤ 1:48; two signs (“Van Accessible”) mounted ≥ 60 in to bottomThese are the standard federal configurations. ADA.gov
Technical note: ADA sets minimums for widths, slopes, and signage; it does not dictate striping paint color or line style—those are often local code/owner preferences. (We’ll align with your city/brand standards while meeting ADA.) Access Board
Access Aisles: Small Boxes, Big Lawsuits
The access aisle must be:
On the same level and full length of the adjacent space
Connected to an accessible route to the building
Marked to discourage parking (especially 8-ft van aisles)
Unobstructed: no ramps protruding into the aisle
Slope ≤ 1:48We design and mark aisles so they’re obvious and stay clear. ADA.gov
Location & Route: Not Just “Near the Door”
Accessible stalls must sit on the shortest accessible route to an accessible entrance. If multiple accessible entrances serve your site, the spaces should be dispersed to those entrances. We verify this during layout so customers aren’t pushed into long detours. Corada
Signage: Height, Wording, and Van-Accessible Labels
ISA (wheelchair symbol) sign required for accessible spaces
“Van Accessible” sign for van spaces
Mount signs so the bottom edge is at least 60 in above the ground (visible when a vehicle is parked)Some tiny lots and assigned residential spaces have limited signage exceptions, but typical Mississippi businesses need full signage. We supply and set posts to spec. ADA.gov+1
What We Handle for You (Start to Finish)
1) Site Walk & Count
We count the total spaces per lot, calculate required accessible and van spaces, check entrances and routes, and note slope and drainage issues.
2) Layout Plan (with ADA callouts)
We produce a marked plan: stall counts, van locations, aisle widths, curb ramps, and sign posts—plus any restriping phasing to keep you open. ADA.gov
3) Surface Prep & Protection
Clean, dry pavement = lasting paint. If the lot is oxidized, we recommend Seal Coating first (then stripe on a uniform surface for maximum contrast and durability).
4) Striping & Stencils
We stripe to spec with high-contrast layouts. ADA doesn’t prescribe paint color, but we follow the local standard (typically white/blue for markings, blue/white for symbols) and your brand cues. Access Board
5) Signs, Posts, and Anchors
We set posts to the correct height and label van stalls properly.
6) Final Walk & Turnover
We verify slopes at critical aisles/ramps, check routes, and provide a simple as-built diagram for your records.
Pairing fresh striping with Seal Coating can dramatically improve readability and lifespan. It also helps keep slopes smooth and uniform at aisles.
Frequent Misses We Fix All the Time
Counting across the whole campus instead of per lot (non-compliant). Corada
Too few van spaces (remember the 1-in-6 rule). ADA.gov
Aisles too narrow/short or ramped into (ramps can’t intrude). ADA.gov
Signs mounted too low (hidden by parked vehicles). ADA.gov
Ponding at aisles (slope over 1:48). We correct with light milling or patchwork via Asphalt Paving & Repair. ADA.gov
Dumpster pads turning to mush—we often spec a Concrete Paving pad or thicker section there and restripe accordingly.
“Do I Need to Re-Stripe After Seal Coating or Paving?”
Yes. Anytime you resurface or seal coat, you’ll need fresh markings and usually updated ADA layouts (great moment to fix counts, van assignments, or bad routes). Use our Parking Lot Striping team to bring everything back in one pass.
Small Lot? You Still Have Obligations
Even tiny Mississippi lots must provide accessible spaces per the ADA table. Some very small sites have sign exceptions, but the space and aisle geometry still apply. We’ll show you what’s required and the cleanest layout that keeps traffic flowing. ADA Compliance
Owner Checklist: Be Inspection-Ready in 30 Minutes
Count your spaces per lot and compare to the ADA table. ADA.gov
Confirm van ratio: at least 1 in 6 accessible spaces is van-accessible. ADA.gov
Measure widths (8' car, 5' aisle; van per Option A or B). ADA.gov
Check slopes at spaces/aisles (≤ 1:48). ADA.gov
Follow the route: aisle → curb ramp (not in the aisle) → entrance on the shortest accessible route. Corada
Look up: signs have ISA (and “Van Accessible” where required) with bottom ≥ 60" above ground. ADA.gov
Document with photos/as-builts for your files.
Why Businesses in North Mississippi Choose White Rock, LLC
We do the math & the layout—per lot, per entrance, per route.
We fix what causes non-compliance (slope, drainage, base failures) with targeted asphalt or concrete work.
We handle striping + signage in one mobilization, phased so you stay open.
We stand behind the work with clear documentation and a maintenance plan.
Next Steps
If you’re planning seal coating, a refresh, or a new lot, loop us in early. We’ll mark the plan, slot crews, and deliver clean, compliant striping without disrupting your operations.
Book a quick ADA striping assessment. We’ll verify counts, slopes, signage, and routes—and give you a phased plan that fits your schedule.
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