ADA Parking Requirements in Texas

Every commercial parking facility in Texas is regulated by two overlapping standards: the federal 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design and the Texas Accessibility Standards (TAS), enforced by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). TAS mirrors most ADA scoping rules but adds Texas-specific plan review, inspection, and registration requirements for projects with a construction value of $50,000 or more.

Minimum number of accessible spaces (TAS 208.2)

The required count of accessible parking scales with total spaces per lot. A working reference table:

• 1 to 25 total spaces — 1 accessible space required
• 26 to 50 — 2 required
• 51 to 75 — 3 required
• 76 to 100 — 4 required
• 101 to 150 — 5 required
• 151 to 200 — 6 required
• 201 to 300 — 7 required
• 301 to 400 — 8 required
• 401 to 500 — 9 required
• 501 to 1,000 — 2% of total
• 1,001 and over — 20 + 1 for every 100 over 1,000

Van-accessible ratio (TAS 208.2.4)

At least one of every six accessible spaces — and never fewer than one — must be van-accessible. Medical outpatient facilities (10%) and rehabilitation/outpatient physical therapy (20%) have higher scoping percentages.

Stall and access aisle dimensions (TAS 502)

• Car-accessible space: minimum 96 inches (8 ft) wide.
• Van-accessible space: minimum 132 inches (11 ft) wide with a 60-inch access aisle, OR 96 inches wide with a 96-inch access aisle.
• Access aisles must extend the full length of the space and be marked to discourage parking.
• Two spaces may share one access aisle (except angled spaces).
• Surface slope: max 1:48 in all directions.

Signage (TAS 502.6)

Each accessible space must be identified by the International Symbol of Accessibility mounted at least 60 inches above finished grade measured to the bottom of the sign. Van-accessible spaces must include an additional "Van Accessible" designation. Texas also requires a tow-away warning sign with the fine amount and a phone number under Texas Transportation Code §681.

Location on site (TAS 208.3)

Accessible spaces must be located on the shortest accessible route to the accessible building entrance. When multiple entrances serve the facility, accessible parking must be dispersed among them.

Owner responsibility for existing lots

Even if your lot was compliant when built, faded markings, missing signage, or altered striping can trigger a barrier claim. TDLR-registered accessibility specialists inspect any project over $50,000 in construction value, and drive-by ADA lawsuits remain common in Texas metros. A documented restripe on a two-to-three year cycle is the cheapest way to stay defensible.

Source: Texas Accessibility Standards, Chapters 2 and 5 (TDLR). This article is educational, not legal advice — CRE Striping performs full site audits and delivers a marked-up plan before any work begins.