Parking Signage Regulations
- Businesses are required to have handicap-accessible parking for customers, visitors and employees. Regulations require these signs to detail that designated spaces are for handicapped individuals. This is done by specifically stating Handicap Parking on the signage and by displaying the typical wheelchair logo. Handicap-accessible parking--and signage--must be in areas closest to the building, where the ground is level.
- Each state has regulations about how close a vehicle may be parked to a fire hydrant. For example, that distance is at least 15 feet in Sacramento, California, and Seattle. A sign does not need to be posted near the fire hydrant if red lines are painted, indicating a no-parking area. Those business and companies that do post no-parking signs at their own discretion must place the sign within 5 feet of the fire hydrant, with the words No Parking displayed on the sign.
- Regulations require that no-parking signage state the distance in which a vehicle is not permitted to be parked. For instance, if you have a danger or hazard area, the sign must state no parking within 100 feet or whatever the desired distance is. If the signage does not indicate the area in which vehicles are not allowed to be parked, there must be more signage posted, blocking the total distance. For instance, you may post no-parking signs throughout the area, showing which areas are restricted from parking. If you do not allow parking at your establishment between certain times or allow it for only certain individuals, that information must be stated on the parking signage. An example would be stating on the sign no parking between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. or this space is reserved for the vice president.
- Companies and businesses are not required to post parking signage if they have chosen to paint the area. For instance, red paint means no parking at anytime, blue paint means reserved parking for handicapped individuals and white paint permits parking in that area. The department or bureau of motor vehicles for each state requires everyone who operates a vehicle, motorcycle or other machinery on the road to be tested on parking regulations that include parking signage and these painted parking restrictions. Therefore, if the business has chosen to paint the areas, the drivers are responsible for making sure they are parking in the correct space or area. However, using paint instead of signage does not allow for specific information, such as the hours parking is prohibited.
- In addition to the specifics of where businesses and individuals can post parking signage, there are regulations for the citizens and people who use the parking spaces. If there is a no-parking or unloading-only sign, you must abide by the sign and park elsewhere. Violating the specifics on a sign could result in a driver's license suspension, fines or both.