Every year, thousands of businesses receive ADA complaints—and most of them are triggered by simple parking lot mistakes that go unnoticed for years. In 2025, ADA enforcement has become even stricter, especially in California, Arizona, Texas, and Florida.
The good news?
Almost all ADA parking lot violations can be prevented with routine inspections, correct measurements, and basic maintenance.
Here are the 5 ADA mistakes that expose business owners to lawsuits—and the fixes you can implement today.
1. Incorrect Slopes and Ramp Grades
More than 60% of ADA non-compliance issues come from slopes that are too steep or improperly graded.
Common Violations
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Access aisles above 2% slope
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Parking stalls sloping into drainage areas
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Ramps steeper than the 1:12 ADA ratio
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No flat landing at the top of a ramp
How to Fix It
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Measure slopes with a digital ADA inclinometer
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Regrade or mill areas exceeding 2%
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Add or correct curb ramps with proper landings
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Repaint all lines after slope correction
Incorrect slopes are one of the easiest violations for plaintiffs to spot.
2. Faded or Missing Striping
Striping fades quickly due to traffic, sunlight, and weather. When accessible markings are unclear, your property immediately becomes a lawsuit target.
Common Violations
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Faded wheelchair symbols
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Missing or unclear access aisles
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Incorrect colors or spacing
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Worn-out cross-hatching
How to Fix It
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Restripe every 24–36 months
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Use high-durability traffic paint
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Refresh cross-hatching at 6-inch width
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Reapply ADA symbols using reflective, high-contrast paint
Fresh striping is one of the cheapest ways to stay compliant.
3. Incorrect Signage Height or Missing Signs
ADA parking requires precise signage placement. Plaintiffs often check signage before anything else.
Common Violations
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Bottom of sign lower than 60 inches
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Missing “Van Accessible” signs
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Temporary or non-permanent sign posts
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Signs placed too far from stall center
How to Fix It
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Mount signs at 60–66 inches (bottom height)
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Use reflective ADA-approved signs
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Add “Van Accessible” signs where required
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Install permanent posts only
Signage is inexpensive to fix—and expensive to ignore.
4. Improper Van-Accessible Space Dimensions
Many businesses unknowingly size van-accessible stalls incorrectly, making them immediate lawsuit risks.
Common Violations
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Access aisle narrower than 8 feet
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Stall width less than 96–132 inches
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Missing cross-hatched aisle
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Incorrect placement of the aisle
How to Fix It
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Verify stall width matches ADA specs
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Confirm aisles are at least 8 feet wide
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Place the aisle on the passenger side
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Repaint layout following proper ADA design
Van spaces are the most frequently cited ADA stall violation.
5. Missing or Non-Compliant Path of Travel
ADA requires a clear, safe, and unobstructed route from the accessible stall to the business entrance.
Common Violations
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No ramp from parking lot to sidewalk
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Obstacles blocking the route
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Cracked or uneven concrete
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Missing truncated domes
How to Fix It
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Add ADA-compliant curb ramps
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Maintain a 36-inch minimum walkway width
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Repair broken or lifted concrete sections
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Install truncated domes at crossing points
A non-compliant path of travel is one of the fastest ways to receive a complaint.
How Often Should You Inspect Your ADA Parking Lot?
At minimum: once every 12 months.
But you should inspect immediately after:
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New construction
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Repaving or sealcoating
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Heavy rain or flooding
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Any major property update
Proactive maintenance costs far less than a lawsuit.
Download the ADA Parking Lot Compliance Checklist (Free PDF)
To help business owners stay protected, we created a simple checklist covering slopes, signage, ramp specs, and path-of-travel rules.
👉 Download the Free ADA Checklist (2025 Edition)
Get a Free ADA Pre-Inspection
Before you face a lawsuit, schedule an ADA parking lot pre-inspection. We identify slope issues, incorrect signage, faded paint, and other high-risk violations—then give you a clear action plan to fix them fast.
👉 Request a Free ADA Parking Lot Audit