A parking lot is one of the first things noticed by customers, clients, and visitors when entering a facility. The crisp color contrast of fresh striping not only enhances curb appeal but also reflects a property owner’s commitment to proper maintenance.

Clear, well-defined markings help guide traffic safely and efficiently. Elements like crosswalks, stop bars, loading zones, and designated pick-up areas inform pedestrians where to walk, when to yield, and which areas to avoid — promoting both safety and organization.

At Alliance Paving, we help improve or preserve traffic flow through expert re-striping or new layout designs, whether based on your blueprints or a custom plan developed by our team.

Design and Considerations

Maximize Space:

Property managers aim to make the most of every square foot — and the right striping layout helps maximize parking capacity. A well-planned design ensures more vehicles can be accommodated efficiently, contributing to cost-effectiveness and convenience.

Efficient Traffic Flow:

Customers appreciate parking lots that are easy to navigate. Clearly marked stalls, directional arrows, and ADA-compliant signage guide drivers safely and quickly through the space, improving the overall experience from entry to exit.

Designated Parking:

Before any striping begins, it’s essential to consider designated spaces for disabled persons, customers, employees, visitors, and others. Proper planning ensures compliance with ADA regulations while enhancing accessibility and organization throughout the lot.

Guidelines

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), signed into law in 1990, affects every property owner. Regardless of business size, all commercial properties are required to provide a specific number of ADA-compliant accessible parking stalls, including designated van-accessible spaces.

Many municipalities now mandate that newly constructed parking lots — whether commercial or part of large residential developments — meet full ADA striping requirements before an operating permit is issued. Additionally, zoning regulations often require a minimum number of parking spaces based on the square footage of the facility, typically measured per 1,000 square feet of usable space.

ADA Design Guide Layout Options

The primary goal of a parking lot layout is to maximize the number of functional stalls without sacrificing safety or efficiency. While 90° (straight-in) stalls typically allow for the highest stall count and support two-way traffic, angled stalls — such as 45°, 60°, or 75° — are often preferred for their ease of use.

Straight-in stalls are the simplest to lay out and stripe, making them a popular choice for efficiency. However, angled stalls offer easier maneuverability for drivers when entering or backing out and require narrower driving lanes. They also promote one-way traffic flow and create a visually appealing herringbone pattern, which many property owners favor.

That said, it’s important to note that the greater the angle, the more space the layout requires, which can reduce the overall number of stalls.

Procedure

At Alliance Paving, we use only the highest-grade materials and the latest equipment to complete your striping project efficiently and accurately. Before we begin, we take all necessary precautions by blocking off the work area with cones and caution tape, verifying that irrigation systems are turned off, and thoroughly cleaning the surface using power blowers and wire brooms.

We then chalk out the existing layout — or, if requested, implement a completely new layout based on the client’s blueprints or a custom design by our team. Once the layout is complete, we double-check all measurements and ensure proper flow before beginning the striping process.

After striping, we recommend keeping traffic off the lot for at least one hour when temperatures are 60°F or higher, allowing proper curing time. Once the area is ready, we promptly reopen your facility to resume normal operations with minimal disruption.