Respect the Space - MD Accessibility Code Accessible Parking Space Compliance
The County launched the Respect the Space Campaign initiative to help ensure that signage for disability parking spaces in Montgomery County complies with the State of Maryland's Accessibility Code adopted under the Public Safety Code. The campaign has highlighted the problem of people who have not been issued a disability placard/plate parking in disability parking spaces, even for a few minutes; the unlawful use of a placard/plate issued to someone else which prevents their use by those who are legally certified to use them, and to educate parking lot managers on the importance of not blocking access to disability spaces during their winter snow removal efforts.
Parking lot owners and companies that stripe parking lots in Maryland must comply with the Maryland Accessibility Code adopted under 12-202 of the Public Safety Code. ADA-compliant information is provided on the County’s Department of General Services ADA Accessible Parking page at: www.montgomerycountymd.gov/dgs-ada/ AccessibleParking.html.
Multi-family residential parking lots and commercial parking lots must conform to specific legal standards for providing and erecting signs for disability spaces.
- There must be a visible sign to identify each accessible space.
- Free-standing signs must be mounted at least 7 feet above the ground with a symbol of accessibility, and include a supplemental sign indicating, “Maximum Fine $250.”
- A sign mounted flush to a building or wall must be at least 6 feet but no more than 10 feet above the ground.
- The sign must have the international wheelchair symbol of accessibility and the words, “Reserved Parking”.
- Van accessible spaces are to be identified with a supplemental “Van Accessible” sign and are accompanied with a supplemental “No Parking in Access Aisle” sign mounted either on the same post with an arrow or at the front of the access aisle.
Potential violations recorded by volunteers will be reviewed by the Commission on People with Disabilities and by the County Office of Human Rights. Managers of parking lots determined not in compliance will receive notification from the Office of Human Rights. The notice will advise what exactly is not according to the specifications and the legal obligation to bring signage into compliance.
Van Accessible Space Signage
Option 1
All signage located on one pole.
Option 2
Signage on two separate poles with the 'No Parking In Access Aisle' signage posted in front of the access aisle.
Non-Van Accessible Space Signage
Example 1
Posted on a building.
Example 2
Posted on a pole.
Respect the Space - Checklist for MD Accessibility Code Accessible Park Space Compliance (PDF) or Online Survey
Volunteers are encouraged to submit photos along with the survey.
Tab 2
Tab 3
Tab 4
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