What are the standard dimensions of a parking space?
2 Answers
According to the "Specifications for Setting On-Street Parking Spaces on Urban Roads," the standard size of a general parking space is 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 not be less than 5 meters. The turning area should accommodate a vehicle's ability to complete a one-time turn. For safety or to accommodate medium and large vehicles, parking spaces are often set to 6 meters or more. Details are as follows: (Length ≤ 6m, width ≤ 1.8m) vehicles: The spacing between vehicles should not be less than 0.5 meters, and the spacing between the vehicle and walls or the ends of the parking space should not be less than 0.5 meters. (6m < length ≤ 8m, 1.8m < width ≤ 2.2m) vehicles: The spacing between vehicles should not be less than 0.7 meters. Small vehicle parking space: Length ≥ 5 meters, width 2.2-2.5 meters. Large vehicle parking space: 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 indoor parking spaces 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 access lane width of 5.5m in front of the parking space. The minimum distance between small cars and the side walls should be 0.6m, and the minimum distance from 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. The driving lane, as the horizontal passage dedicated to parking spaces within the garage, accounts for the primary floor area of the parking space and may occupy 50% or more of the total parking space floor area. Parking space arrangements can be divided 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 space: Standard length is 6 meters, width is 2.5 meters. Angled parking space: Slanted length should reach 6 meters, width 2.8 meters, with a vertical distance between the two slanted lines maintained at 2.5 meters. Perpendicular parking space: Length ≥ 5 meters, typically set at 6 meters, width 2.5 meters. The optimal standard parking space size is generally 2.5m x 5.3m. The "Road Traffic Safety Law" stipulates that roads with a width of less than 6 meters for motor vehicle traffic shall not have on-street parking spaces. Crosswalks, expressways, and main roads are also prohibited from having parking spaces. Within urban road areas, government authorities may designate parking spaces where pedestrian and vehicle traffic is not impeded. On-street parking spaces should avoid disrupting non-motorized vehicle traffic and should not encroach on non-motorized vehicle passage space. They should not be set near road intersections, building entrances, or bus stops. Vehicle types and parking times should be specified and indicated via signage. Measures should be taken to prevent impacts on motor vehicle traffic. Additionally, on-street parking spaces should not have ground locks to prevent private occupation. Roads prohibiting on-street parking may have barriers, posts, or piers installed on one side. After the removal or cancellation of parking spaces, all related signs, markings, and management facilities should be promptly cleared to prevent continued parking and ensure road safety and operation. Furthermore, 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 regulations based on road width. For two-way roads, if the actual road width exceeds 12 meters, parking spaces may be set on both sides; if between 12 meters and 8 meters, parking spaces may be set on one side; if less than 8 meters, no parking spaces should be set. For one-way roads, if the actual road width exceeds 9 meters, parking spaces may be set on both sides; if between 9 meters and 6 meters, parking spaces may be set on one side; if less than 6 meters, no parking spaces should be set. Regarding parking spaces for disabled persons, the specifications state that on-street parking spaces should include designated spaces for disabled persons, accounting for no less than 2% of the total parking spaces. When there are more than 20 parking spaces, at least one designated space for disabled persons should be provided. Parking space marking colors: White: Paid parking space; Blue: Free parking space; Yellow: Exclusive parking space; Time-limited parking spaces: Dotted border, line width 10cm; the permitted parking time should be marked inside the border, with numbers 60cm high. Parking spaces for disabled persons: Special parking space markings; yellow grid lines on both sides of the parking space indicate areas where vehicles are prohibited from parking to allow disabled persons to board and alight. Other vehicles must not occupy disabled parking spaces. Special pavement markings should be applied within the parking space to indicate exclusivity. Yellow grid line width: 120cm; outer line width: 20cm; inner fill line width: 0cm; the angle between inner and outer lines should be 45°; the outer line length should match the parking space marking length. Requirements for prohibiting on-street parking spaces: Fire lanes, road sections with no-parking signs or markings, and construction zones that impede traffic; Roads designated for disaster relief and emergency evacuation must not have parking spaces; Sidewalks, if parking spaces are set, must not encroach on blind paths; Near building entrances; Intersections, railway crossings, sharp curves, narrow roads less than 4m wide, bridges, steep slopes, tunnels, and sections within 50m of these locations; Areas within 30m of bus stops, emergency stations, gas stations, fire hydrants, or fire stations, except for vehicles using these facilities; Sections within 20m of road intersection channelization areas; Areas near underground utility work pits (water, electricity, gas, etc.) and sections within 15m of these locations.
Having driven for over twenty years, I've found that standard parking spaces are typically about 2.5 meters wide and 5.3 meters long, which generally accommodates most sedans and compact SUVs. However, these dimensions aren't set in stone—location matters. In older urban centers, spaces may shrink to 2.2 meters wide, making it hard to open car doors. Shopping mall underground garages often compress space to fit more spots, while open highway rest areas tend to be more generous, sometimes exceeding 3 meters in width. SUV owners should be extra cautious—large vehicles in narrow spaces are prone to scratches, so beginners are advised to practice in standard spots. Disabled parking spaces usually exceed 2.8 meters in width for wheelchair accessibility. Regulations vary by country; European standards tend to be smaller, often reducing length to 4.8 meters. When parking, it's wise to quickly assess the space size and choose a reasonable spot for peace of mind.
