subject: Make Your Parking Lot Legal with Proper Striping [print this page] Make Your Parking Lot Legal with Proper Striping
If you're looking to repave and to re-stripe your parking lot, you need to know a few things before you can get started. After all, this process isn't as simple as putting down a few lines with a brush and some paint. Your parking lot must be structured in a way that creates a sufficient amount of spaces that must all follow the proper guidelines and local codes. For all of these tasks, it's always a better idea to hire a professional striping and paving company. Not only will they be able to provide quality work, but they will also ensure that you are able to follow the rules of the road.
Know the Local Codes
Each city and town creates their own rules when it comes to parking lot striping and zones. Though most towns have similar rules, you don't want to create a lot that will be ticketed by a police officer. Checking with your city's local zoning department and the Department of Transportation will help you to find out more about specific regulations. Most parking lots will need to include a certain number of handicapped spaces, but this varies with space available in the lot itself. In addition, you may also need to distinguish areas for a fire zone and/or a loading zone. Knowing the codes will allow you to make these zones appropriate for your lot.
Create Spaces for Everyone
In each lot, you need to be certain there are zones which will work for all of your intended customers or clients. Though you might feel you aren't catering to those with handicaps, this is not something you can avoid in order to save money. You need to create a few handicap spaces in each parking lot, follow the local regulations in terms of distance from the door, number, etc. You may also want to consider other special spots like spots for expectant mothers, spots for those with children, etc. These spots will make your customers and clients feel supported in their challenges without compromising the integrity of your parking lot.
Making Regulation Stripes and Spaces
Finally, you will need to make sure the parking lot spaces are the right size. If you make spots which are too small, people will not be able to fit their cars into the spots, causing possible damage to the cars, damage between cars, etc. A paving and striping company will know how big the spaces need to be and they will measure to ensure all of the spaces are large enough to accommodate a normal sized car. While you might offer compact car spaces and oversized car spaces as well, having a company do the measurements is far more efficient and effective.
With the proper paving company, you will be able to create a parking space for everyone. No matter what your business needs are, the lot is the first thing a customer sees when they come to your establishment. You need to make sure you have a parking lot which is legal and makes everyone feel welcomed.
