What are the standard dimensions for parking spaces?
3 Answers
According to the "Specifications for Setting On-Street Parking Spaces on Urban Roads," the standard dimensions of parking spaces are determined based on the size of the vehicle. Small parking spaces typically measure 2.5~2.7 meters in width and 5~6 meters in length. The width of a single-lane turning lane should not be less than 3.5 meters, while a double-lane turning lane should be at least 5 meters wide. The turning area should accommodate a vehicle's need for a one-time turn. For safety or to accommodate medium and large vehicles, parking spaces are often set to be over 6 meters in length. Details are as follows: (Length ≤ 6m, width ≤ 1.8m) vehicles: The spacing between vehicles should be no less than 0.5 meters, and the distance between the vehicle and walls or the ends of the parking space should also be no less than 0.5 meters. (6m < length ≤ 8m, 1.8m < width ≤ 2.2m) vehicles: The spacing between vehicles should be no less than 0.7 meters. Small vehicle parking spaces: Length ≥ 5 meters, width 2.2-2.5 meters. Large vehicle parking spaces: Length 7-10 meters, width 4 meters, depending on the vehicle model. According to the "Architectural Design Code for Parking Garages," the specific dimensions for small car parking spaces in indoor garages are as follows: The design dimensions for small cars are 4.8m (length) x 1.8m (width) x 2.0m (height). The minimum size for a small car parking space using a perpendicular parking method should be 5.3m (length) x 2.4m (width), with a minimum width of 5.5m for the access lane in front of the parking space. The minimum distance between the small car and the side walls should be 0.6m, and the minimum distance to the front and rear walls should be 0.5m. Modern underground parking garages have large floor areas and numerous parking spaces. To ensure smooth vehicle movement, the area allocated for driving lanes is relatively large. These lanes, which serve as horizontal passages for parking spaces, account for a significant portion of the parking space's total floor area, often 50% or more. Parking space arrangements can be categorized into three types: parallel, angled (30°, 45°, 60°), and perpendicular. Large vehicle parking spaces should not use angled or perpendicular arrangements. Details are as follows: Parallel parking spaces: Standard length of 6 meters, width of 2.5 meters. Angled parking spaces: Diagonal length of 6 meters, width of 2.8 meters, with a vertical distance of 2.5 meters between the two diagonal lines. Perpendicular parking spaces: Length ≥ 5 meters (typically 6 meters), width of 2.5 meters. The optimal standard size is 2.5m x 5.3m. The "Road Traffic Safety Law" stipulates that on-street parking spaces should not be set on roads with a width of less than 6 meters, nor on crosswalks or major thoroughfares. In urban areas, parking spaces may be designated by relevant authorities where they do not impede pedestrian or vehicle traffic. On-street parking spaces should not interfere with bicycle lanes or occupy bicycle passage space. They should not be placed near intersections, building entrances, or bus stops. Parking regulations, including vehicle types and time limits, should be clearly marked. Measures should be taken to prevent private occupancy, such as prohibiting the installation of ground locks. Roads where parking is prohibited may have barriers, posts, or bollards installed. When parking spaces are removed, all related markings and facilities should be promptly cleared to prevent unauthorized parking. Additionally, on-street parking spaces should not be set within 200m~300m of off-street public parking lots. Quantitative regulations for on-street parking spaces: The "Specifications for Setting On-Street Parking Spaces on Urban Roads" provide quantitative guidelines based on road width. For two-way roads, parking spaces may be set on both sides if the actual road width exceeds 12 meters; if the width is between 12 and 8 meters, parking may be allowed on one side; if less than 8 meters, no parking spaces should be set. For one-way roads, parking may be set on both sides if the width exceeds 9 meters; if between 9 and 6 meters, parking may be allowed on one side; if less than 6 meters, no parking spaces should be set. For disabled parking spaces, the specifications require that at least 2% of total parking spaces be designated for disabled use, with a minimum of one space if there are over 20 parking spaces. Parking space marking colors: White: Paid parking spaces. Blue: Free parking spaces. Yellow: Reserved parking spaces. Time-limited parking spaces: Dashed borders (10cm line width) with permitted parking times marked inside (60cm numeral height). Disabled parking spaces: Marked with yellow grid lines on both sides to indicate no-parking zones for boarding/alighting. Other vehicles must not occupy these spaces. The grid lines should be 120cm wide, with 20cm outer lines and 45° angles. The outer line length should match the parking space length. Areas where on-street parking spaces should not be set: Fire lanes, roads with no-parking signs/markings, or construction zones that impede traffic. Roads designated for emergency evacuation or disaster relief. Sidewalks (if set, must not obstruct tactile paving). Near building entrances. Intersections, railway crossings, sharp curves, narrow roads (<4m), bridges, steep slopes, tunnels, and areas within 50m of these locations. Within 30m of bus stops, emergency stations, gas stations, fire hydrants, or fire stations (except for vehicles using these facilities). Within 20m of intersection channelization zones. Near underground utility access points or within 15m of such locations. Within 200m of off-street parking lot entrances.
Having driven for many years, I've seen all kinds of parking spaces. Standard dimensions actually vary by location. For example, common parallel parking spaces are typically 2.4 to 2.5 meters wide and about 5 meters long. However, some places compress them even smaller to save space. When the width is less than 2.3 meters, my midsize SUV feels a bit cramped, especially when opening the doors, which can easily lead to scratches. Accessible parking spaces are more spacious, often over 3 meters wide, to accommodate wheelchairs. I've also noticed that markings in older parking spaces are often faded, requiring new drivers to practice reversing more to handle irregular sizes. Overall, it's best to measure your car's dimensions before choosing a spot—safety first. I suggest public places should strengthen supervision to ensure standards are followed, so everyone can park without unnecessary stress.
As someone who has long focused on urban design, parking space dimensions may seem trivial but are actually crucial to overall planning. Standard widths typically hover around 2.5 meters, with lengths approximately 5.2 meters, though regulations vary by city—some international standards emphasize a minimum width of 2.6 meters to ensure safe clearance. Compact spaces save room but may lead to frequent accidents; when widths shrink to 2.3 meters, most vehicles risk hitting pillars. Design must account for variants like angled stalls—those at 30 degrees might require extra length but improve maneuverability. I often stress balancing dimensions with traffic flow in engineering: oversized spots waste resources, undersized ones hamper efficiency. Drivers should proactively inspect new parking layouts to avoid mishaps.
