Parking spaces are a staple for most modern buildings these days and with good reason. After all, many people rely solely on their vehicles for travel, be it when going to work, running errands around town, or driving to far-off places.
But have you ever wondered how these places decide to design their parking lots? How wide is the average parking spot? What factors affect the normal parking spot sizes in the US and beyond?
So how wide are the parking spots? The US standard for parking space size is 7.5 feet to 9 feet wide and 16 feet to 20 feet deep. These dimensions can accommodate most cars but don’t cover longer vehicles, like semi-trucks and RVs.
Parallel parking spaces are on average 20 feet to 24 feet deep and 7.5 to 9 feet wide to allow for more maneuverability.
Parking spaces reserved for people with disabilities need to be 16.5 feet long and 7 feet wide with a lateral transfer area and a rear transfer area at the back. These transfer areas must be 5 feet wide to accommodate wheelchairs and other accessibility aids.
A number of factors can affect how large an establishment chooses to make its parking spots. While there’s a standard range, a difference of one and a half to four feet can be a lot. Here are some things that factor into how large a parking spot is in any given area:
Countries around the world have different standard parking space dimensions and local regulations. A huge consideration is the common vehicles in the area.
For example, countries that lean toward more compact cars might not need larger standardized parking spaces. For example, in Japan, where more miniature “kei” cars are common, there are small parking spaces dedicated to these vehicles alone. Meanwhile, in countries that favor larger vehicles (like America), the standard parking spaces are often more spacious.
The standard US compact parking space is the same size as the European space. However, US standard and US standard large sizes are both larger than European spaces. This means that the US’s parking spaces are, on average, larger than European standard parking spots.
As we’ve mentioned, some parking spots are spaced and reserved for specialized users, like people with disabilities and new or expecting mothers. These spots tend to take up more space, often featuring transfer areas to the side and rear of the vehicle. They’re also usually near parking entrances and exits for convenience.
The parking spot’s location can also affect its size. For example, parallel parking spaces are usually deeper than regular parking lots to allow drivers to park more easily.
The overall size of the parking area can also impact the space allotted for vehicles. A larger parking area might allow for larger parking slots, while areas with limited parking lot space might downsize their parking slots to accommodate more vehicles.
Some parking stall layout designers incorporate futureproofing when spacing their parking spots. The trend in recent years leans toward larger vehicles, but that doesn’t mean smaller vehicles will go out of fashion.
Some parking areas are designed for the largest vehicle types, which ensures there’s enough space in each slot for cars of all sizes. Unfortunately, this strategy can waste space if vehicle trends tend toward compact models.
All in all, it’s best if the stall length accommodates most vehicles.
There’s no standard parking space size worldwide. Different countries have different requirements, and local guidelines often dictate the average size of a car parking space.
Some countries like the US and UK have specific regulations for accessible parking spaces. These guidelines can also vary per country, but in general, accessibility parking spaces must be larger to make boarding and dismounting easier for people with disabilities.
Wheelchairs and other accessibility aids need extra room for their users to comfortably park and utilize the parking spot. While there are no established measurements for these spaces around the world, what matters is that they address the issues that their specialized users face daily.
With parking spaces taking up more and more land, it’s become essential to consider how they impact urban planning.
One popular recommendation is to use parking spaces as land for solar projects to reduce emissions and efficiently collect solar power. Parking spaces occupy up to 5% of developed land in the US, and installing solar panel canopies atop these areas can make a big difference.
These canopies could both shelter the vehicles from the sun and convert solar power into usable energy for the cities they already occupy. It’s a brilliant strategy that some countries, like France, are already utilizing.
Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.