ADA & Accessibility: What Tennessee Businesses Need to Know When Paving Parking Lots
When Tennessee businesses pave or repave their parking lots, there’s more at stake than smooth asphalt and clean striping. ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliance is a legal requirement — and one that directly affects customer safety, accessibility, and liability.
Whether you own a small storefront, manage a commercial plaza, or oversee a large facility, your parking lot must provide safe, clearly marked, and correctly constructed accessible spaces. Failing to meet ADA guidelines can lead to fines, lawsuits, and costly reconstruction down the road.
Here’s a simple, clear breakdown of what Tennessee business owners need to know when paving or restriping their parking lots.
Why ADA Compliance Matters
ADA laws ensure that people with disabilities can safely access public spaces — including parking lots. For businesses, compliance is important because it:
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Prevents fines and civil penalties
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Reduces the risk of customer injuries
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Improves accessibility for all visitors
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Boosts your business’s reputation
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Helps avoid expensive corrective construction later
Most ADA issues arise not from intentional neglect, but from poor planning during paving projects. That’s why working with an experienced paving contractor is essential.
How Many Accessible Parking Spaces Do You Need?
ADA requirements depend on the size of your parking lot. Here’s a quick guide:
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1–25 spaces: Minimum 1 accessible space
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26–50 spaces: Minimum 2
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51–75 spaces: Minimum 3
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76–100 spaces: Minimum 4
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101–150 spaces: Minimum 5
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151–200 spaces: Minimum 6
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201–300 spaces: Minimum 7
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301–400 spaces: Minimum 8
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401–500 spaces: Minimum 9
For lots with over 500 spaces, ADA guidelines specify 2% of the total.
At least one of your accessible spaces must be a van-accessible spot, and larger lots require more.
Van-Accessible Spaces: Special Requirements
Van-accessible spaces require additional room for lifts and ramps. They must include:
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8-foot access aisle (minimum)
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98 inches of vertical clearance for vans
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Proper signage labeled “Van Accessible”
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A firm, stable, slip-resistant surface
This is one area where poorly executed paving or striping often leads to ADA violations.
Slope Requirements Matter — A Lot
ADA guidelines require that accessible parking spaces and access aisles have:
✔ No more than a 2% slope in any direction
This ensures wheelchairs and mobility devices don’t roll or tip unexpectedly.
Incorrect slopes are one of the most common ADA problems found during inspections — and one of the most expensive to fix after the paving is complete.
Accessible Routes Must Be Direct and Barrier-Free
From the accessible parking space to your building entrance, there must be:
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A clear, smooth, unobstructed route
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No curbs without a compliant curb ramp
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No steep slopes
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No gravel or loose material
If your lot directs customers through traffic lanes or rough surfaces, it may be considered non-compliant.
Striping Requirements for Tennessee Businesses
Accessible spaces must be:
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Painted with bright blue markings
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Labeled with the accessibility symbol
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Marked with diagonal striping in the access aisle
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Paired with vertical signage (signage is required even if striping is visible)
Faded paint is one of the quickest ways for a lot to fall out of compliance — and repainting alone cannot fix structural slope issues.
When Should You Update or Re-Evaluate ADA Compliance?
You should assess your lot’s ADA compliance if:
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You’re repaving the entire lot
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You’re resurfacing sections
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You’re restriping after wear
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You’ve expanded the lot or added spaces
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You notice drainage or slope problems
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Visitors report difficulty accessing your business
Any paving project is the perfect time to confirm specs — it’s much cheaper to correct issues before the asphalt cures.
What Happens If Your Parking Lot Isn’t Compliant?
Tennessee businesses face:
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Expensive repairs
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ADA-related fines
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Liability in the event of an injury
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Loss of customers who cannot safely access your building
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More scrutiny during future inspections
Many violations are unintentional — wrong slope, poor drainage, mis-sized aisles — but they still become the business’s responsibility.
How J&J Asphalt & Paving Helps Tennessee Businesses Stay ADA Compliant
With years of experience across Middle Tennessee, we know ADA specifications inside and out. When we pave or restripe a commercial lot, we make sure:
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Slopes meet ADA and local code
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Accessible routes are correct
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Spaces and aisles are accurately sized
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Striping and signage are professionally installed
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Drainage won’t interfere with accessibility
Whether you’re repaving, resurfacing, or simply restriping, we help ensure your lot is safe, accessible, and fully compliant.
Ready to talk about your project?
Request an estimate and we’ll schedule a time to look at your driveway, lot, or roadway.