Parking Lot Striping Rules

Close-up image of freshly painted parking lot stripes in an El Paso parking lot.

Most people look at a parking lot and see a place to park their car. However, when you’re a business owner with an attached parking lot or someone in charge of managing a parking lot, you want the lot to be well managed. 

However, there’s much more to a well-maintained parking lot than crisp, clean lines. There are also a ton of rules in El Paso when it comes to parking lot striping rules. Failing to comply with these rules could result in a fine from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. 

If you need an update for your El Paso business parking lot, contact us online or call (915) 204-4378 to learn more about our parking lot striping, paving, and a variety of other services.

Basic Parking Lot Striping Rules 

Width Requirements 

The first concern when it comes to parking lot striping rules is to have your spaces the proper width. For cars and smaller vehicles, the required width is 96 inches. However, for vans and larger vehicles, the width requirement is 132 inches. 

Handicapped Parking Spots 

You’re also required to have a certain number of handicapped parking spots based on the size of your parking lot. With these parking spots, you’ll need to follow distinct rules and regulations, including labeling, signage, and spacing. 

Loading Zones 

Next to each handicapped parking spot, you’ll need to leave a passenger loading zone of a specific size to accommodate the needs of the vehicle. Failing to properly designate and sign these loading zones could lead to fines. This is why it is essential to understand all regulations for parking lot striping.

Vertical Clearance 

Something you probably didn’t know about parking lots is that there are vertical clearance requirements. These apply to both accessible passenger loading zones and a minimum of one vehicle access route through your parking lot, which parking lot striping needs to accommodate. 

Other Things to Know

Aside from accessible parking spaces, parking lot space sizes, and loading zones, there’s much more to know about the rules of parking lot striping. 

  • Use the appropriate paint color for different lines and spaces 
  • Ensure your spaces are the correct width for compact cars 
  • Have a designated fire lane 
  • Use clear and concise numbers for spaces when applicable 
  • Have the appropriate number of accessible parking spaces and cojoining access zones 
  • Follow the rules pertinent to your specific facility. For example, medical facilities, warehouses, and school parking lots have special parking lot striping rules. 

Can I Paint My Own Parking Lines? 

While you can optionally paint your own parking lines, it’s usually a job best left to the professionals. There are many rules and regulations to keep in mind, and a lot of patience and experience are necessary to get the lines right. Contact us for more details! 

How Thick Should Parking Lot Lines Be? 

The best way to have distinguished parking lot lines is to have thick lines that are easy to see. For best results, your parking lot lines should be roughly 15 millimeters thick and approximately four inches wide. However, as long as the lines are done professionally, you can have varying thicknesses and widths and accomplish your parking lot striping goals. 

How Often Should Parking Lot Lines Be Repainted? 

In most cases, parking lot lines lose color in one to two years. They will fade sooner, however, if they aren’t professionally painted with high-quality parking lot paint. 

Who to Contact For Premier Parking Lot Striping in El Paso

If you need to paint or repaint parking lot lines in El Paso, look no further than Rick’s Paving. We’re a full-service paving company offering premier and meticulous parking lot striping. Whether you have a business, shopping center, church, school, or any other building with a parking lot that needs lines, Ricks is the team to call. Contact us or call (915) 204-4378 for an estimate and to make an appointment!