Accessible Parking Signs: ADA and MUTCD Rules, Sizes and Counts

An accessible parking sign marks a space reserved for people with disabilities. Under the 2010 ADA Standards it must show the International Symbol of Accessibility, say "van accessible" at van spaces, and sit with its bottom edge at least 60 inches above the ground. The MUTCD's version is the 12 x 18 inch R7-8 sign with a 12 x 6 inch VAN ACCESSIBLE plaque below it.

Requirement	Rule	Source
Symbol	International Symbol of Accessibility	ADA 502.6
Van spaces	Sign includes "van accessible"	ADA 502.6
Height	60 in. minimum from the ground to the bottom of the sign	ADA 502.6
Size (MUTCD design)	R7-8: 12 x 18 in.; VAN ACCESSIBLE plaque R7-8aP: 12 x 6 in.	MUTCD Table 2B-1
When signs aren't required	Lots with 4 or fewer spaces in total; residential spaces assigned to a unit	ADA 216.5 exceptions
Placement	At the head of the space, where a parked vehicle won't hide it	Good practice; the 60-inch height helps

ADA or MUTCD: which applies

On a public street, the MUTCD applies: reserved spaces must use the R7-8 sign with the symbol, and van spaces add the R7-8aP plaque below it. In a parking lot or garage, the MUTCD doesn't apply (Section 1B.01), but the ADA does, and most owners use the R7-8 design anyway because it meets both. Many states add their own requirements on top, such as a fine amount, a towing notice or a specific state sign design. Check your state's law before you order a batch of signs.

How many accessible spaces

Table 208.2 sets the count for each parking facility on a site, and one in six accessible spaces (or fraction of six) must be a van space. Hospital outpatient facilities need 10 percent of patient and visitor spaces; rehabilitation and outpatient physical therapy facilities need 20 percent.

Total spaces	Accessible spaces
1 to 25	1
26 to 50	2
51 to 75	3
76 to 100	4
101 to 150	5
151 to 200	6
201 to 300	7
301 to 400	8
401 to 500	9
501 to 1,000	2% of the total
Over 1,000	20, plus 1 for each 100 over 1,000

Every accessible space gets its own sign, so the number of signs equals the number of spaces, plus a plaque for each van space.

The space behind the sign

• Car space: at least 96 inches wide, with an access aisle at least 60 inches wide (502.2, 502.3).
• Van space: 132 inches wide with a 60-inch aisle, or 96 inches wide with a 96-inch aisle.
• Aisles are marked so people don't park in them, run the full length of the space and can be shared by two spaces.
• Van spaces, their aisles and the route to them need 98 inches of vertical clearance (502.5). Watch this in garages; see overhead clearance bars.
• Location: on the shortest accessible route to an accessible entrance (208.3).

Mounting

Posts at the head of the space, set back so a bumper won't hit the sign, or on the building wall in front of the space. Keep the bottom at 60 inches or more even with a plaque below, so measure to the bottom of the plaque. Where the sign stands on a sidewalk, it can't stick into the walkway more than the ADA allows for protruding objects.

Mistakes we see

• Signs mounted at 36 or 48 inches. Too low; parked cars hide them and they fail inspection.
• A van space without "van accessible". Required on the sign or plaque.
• Counting the whole site as one lot. Count each lot or garage separately.
• Ignoring the state sign. Some states require their own design or extra text.

What it costs

Ballpark U.S. prices in late 2026: $20 to $50 for a 12 x 18 aluminum R7-8 sign with reflective sheeting, $10 to $25 for a VAN ACCESSIBLE plaque, and $30 to $80 for a post with hardware. Signs with state fine text cost about the same.

Where to buy

Sign shops, parking lot suppliers and safety sign sellers. Ask for the sign code, the size, the sheeting and whether the design meets your state's requirements.