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To make sure everyone can easily access public spaces, businesses with car parks must provide mobility parking spaces for our disabled community.

It's the right thing to do, your business becomes accessible to a much wider customer-base and you're following legal requirements. The New Zealand Building Code (NZS 4121) requires that car parks are designed to be safe and convenient for all users. 

While it's easy to bung an icon of a wheelchair on any old space, not every park is equal. If you want to be actually accessible and support your community - here are the things to consider when you're making accessibility happen.

What makes mobility parking spaces accessible?

  1. Wide Spaces: Accessible parks need to be wider than regular ones to allow space for wheelchairs or mobility aids. The surface must be flat, stable, and non-slip. Extra space helps people using wheelchairs or mobility aids get in and out of cars safely. It’s a simple way to make parking more accessible for everyone.
  2. Location: Accessible parks should be close to the building entrance so people with mobility challenges don’t have to travel far. This includes ticket machines.
  3. Clear Markings: The lines marking these spaces should be bold and easy to see, usually in yellow or blue, to prevent non-disabled drivers from parking there.
  4. Symbol of Accessibility: A well-known wheelchair symbol is painted in the space to show it's reserved for people with disabilities.
  5. Maintenance: It's important to regularly check and maintain the line markings, so they stay visible and clear. Fading lines or worn-out symbols can make the spaces hard to recognize.

How many accessible car parks for businesses need?

The size of a car park determines how many mobility parking spaces there are:

  • 1–20 parks: At least 1 accessible space
  • 21–50 parks: At least 2 accessible spaces
  • Every extra 50 parks: Add 1 more accessible space

For large car parks like stadiums or shopping malls, the Barrier Free New Zealand Trust reckon:

  • Up to 1,000 parks: Make 2% of spaces accessible.
  • Over 1,000 parks: Start with 20 accessible spaces, then add 1% of the extra spaces.

This helps make sure there are enough accessible parks for everyone. Barrier Free New Zealand Trust (external link)  offers a helpful accessibility helpline and works with businesses and local councils to create spaces everyone can use. 

If you're not yet convinced, the benefits of properly marked disabled parking spaces include:

  1. Ensuring equal access for people with disabilities.
  2. Promoting inclusivity by welcoming people of all abilities.
  3. Preventing unauthorized cars from parking in those spaces.
  4. Helping businesses comply with laws and avoid penalties.
  5. Making parking safer and easier for everyone.
  6. Improving customer satisfaction, as businesses with accessible parking are seen as more considerate.

By following these guidelines, businesses and public spaces can make sure that disabled parking is easy to access helping to create a more inclusive society for our community. 

For more information about building codes visit New Zealand's Car Park Access Standards' on the Building performance website. (external link)

Last updated on Friday, 17 January 2025

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