We at Jacobs Accessibility Group would like to let you know about recent changes in the design standards concerning Accessible Parking Spaces in Texas.
TDLR Adopts Administrative Rules
The Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation adopted amendments to the Elimination of Architectural Barriers program rules (16 Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 68, §68.100; new rule §68.104). The adopted rules update a reference from the “Commission” to the “Department.” The adopted rules also implement necessary changes required by House Bill 3163, 86th Legislature, Regular Session (2019), which set requirements for paved accessible parking spaces.
The adoption justification was published in the July 24, 2020, issue of the Texas Register (45 TexReg 5166). The updated rule chapter will be made available upon its effective date of August 1, 2020.
a. A paved accessible parking space must include:
the International Symbol of Accessibility painted conspicuously on the surface in a color that contrasts the pavement;
the words "NO PARKING" painted on any access aisle adjacent to the parking space. The words must be painted:
in all capital letters;
with a letter height of at least twelve inches, and a stroke width of at least two inches; and
centered within each access aisle adjacent to the parking space; and a sign identifying the consequences of parking illegally in a paved accessible parking space.
The sign must:
at a minimum state “Violators Subject to Fine and Towing” in a letter height of at least one inch;
be mounted on a pole, post, wall or freestanding board;
be no more than eight inches below a sign required by Texas Accessibility Standards, 502.6; and
be installed so that the bottom edge of the sign is no lower than 48 inches and no higher than 80 inches above ground level.
b. A parking space identification sign that complies with Texas Accessibility Standards, 502.6, that includes the requirements in subsection (a)(3)(A) satisfies subsection (a)(3).
Jacobs Accessibility Group
Please contact us at tas@jacobsonline.com if you have any questions we can help you with or you would like to be removed from our Client Updates email list. Click here to go directly to the §68.104. Accessible Parking Spaces page.