It's imperative that you keep your property accessible and in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. However, if you have a property that predates 1990 or if you've fulfilled all the necessary accessibility regulations in the present, you might be wondering: "Can my property be grandfathered in for ADA compliance?". This question is one many property owners ask, so let's discuss the topic in more detail.

How Can I Keep My Lot ADA-Compliant?

Before we discuss if your property can get grandfathered into ADA compliance, it's important to understand what makes your property compliant with ADA in the first place. Here are a few things that you need to do to your parking lot to accommodate users with disabilities:

Have Proper Truncated Domes: Truncated domes are those bumpy surfaces you'll often find near slopes and ledges on the pavement. These are incredibly important because they alert blind people to an upcoming dangerous area. One example is a parking lot with moving vehicles. You must have truncated domes so that your parking lots are safe.

Mark Your Handicap Spots: Accessible parking is crucial if you want your lot to be compliant with the ADA. We're all familiar with accessible parking spots. They usually position these in the front of the lot near the entrance to your building. Having accessible handicap spots can only be achieved if your spots are painted and there is handicap stripping present.

Install Proper Handicap Ramps: If you have an outdated building, it might have handicap ramps that are not compliant with the current ADA regulations. If this is the case, you'll need to remove your current handicap ramps and then install ramps that are up to code. To have an accessible lot, you'll need to think about several factors. These include line striping, railings, handicap signs, and truncated domes.

Now that you're more familiar with the different things that you need to do to keep your parking lot compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, you should know that we can help you maintain an ADA-compliant lot at Empire Parking Lot Services. We offer all the above services. We are also happy to answer any questions you have about the specificities of your property's lot.

Can Your Property Be Grandfathered for ADA Compliance?

Even after learning about accessible parking lots, you may still want to know if you can be exempt from maintaining an accessible lot. This is the question that many property owners are eager to know the answer to. "Once I have gotten my parking lot fully compliant with ADA regulations, can it be grandfathered in as accessible?". Or, "Can a lot that was created before 1990 be exempt from these regulations?".

The short answer here is, no.

It is a large feat to have an accessible parking lot. However, once you've made the necessary renovations, you cannot be grandfathered in as ADA-compliant. And, on the same note, you cannot be grandfathered into the pre-1990 regulations either (in other words, be exempt from the ADA). However, there is one main exception to this rule. If your property is a historical landmark, you can be grandfathered in (exempt) from the ADA.

Empire Parking Lot Services Can Help You Create an Accessible Lot

No matter how old your parking lot is, you have to comply with all ADA rules and regulations. If you're ready to create a lot that everyone can use with ease, reach out to our Empire Parking Lot Services team. Contact us at (714)-633-0300 to have our experienced team assist you with your next ADA upgrade project.