What Are the Standards for Parking Spaces?

[DianaDella]

According to the "Specifications for Setting On-Street Parking Spaces on Urban Roads," the standard size of parking spaces is generally determined by 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 section should accommodate a vehicle's one-time turning needs. For safety or to accommodate medium and large vehicles, spaces are often set to 6 meters or more. Details are as follows: (Length ≤ 6m, width ≤ 1.8m): The spacing between vehicles should be no less than 0.5 meters, and the spacing between vehicles and walls or the ends of parking spaces should also be no less than 0.5 meters. (6m < length ≤ 8m, 1.8m < width ≤ 2.2m): The spacing between vehicles should be no 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 type. 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) × 1.8m (width) × 2.0m (height). The minimum size for a small car parking space using a perpendicular parking method should be 5.3m (length) × 2.4m (width), with a minimum driveway width of 5.5m at the front of the space. The minimum distance between small cars and side walls should be 0.6m, and the minimum distance from front and rear walls should be 0.5m. Modern underground garages have large floor areas and numerous parking spaces. To ensure smooth vehicle passage, driveways are planned to be relatively wide. Driveways, as horizontal passages dedicated to parking spaces, account for the primary floor area allocated to parking spaces and often occupy 50% or more of the total parking space floor area. 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 space: Standard length of 6 meters, width of 2.5 meters. Angled parking space: 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 space: Length ≥ 5 meters (typically 6 meters), width of 2.5 meters. The optimal standard size is 2.5m × 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 for motor vehicle traffic. Pedestrian crossings, 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 obstructed. On-street parking spaces should avoid interfering with non-motorized vehicle traffic and should not encroach on non-motorized vehicle lanes. They should not be set near intersections, building entrances, or bus stops. Vehicle types and parking times should be specified and announced via signage. Measures should be taken to prevent impact 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 other isolation facilities on one side. After 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 traffic flow. 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" provides 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 disabled parking spaces, the specifications state that on-street parking spaces should include disabled parking spaces, accounting for no less than 2% of the total. If there are more than 20 parking spaces, at least one disabled parking space should be provided. Parking space marking colors: White: Paid parking spaces; Blue: Free parking spaces; Yellow: Reserved parking spaces; Time-limited parking spaces: Dotted border, 10cm line width; parking time should be marked inside the border, with numbers 60cm in height. Disabled parking spaces: Special parking space markings; yellow grid lines on both sides indicate areas where vehicles are prohibited from parking to allow disabled access. Other vehicles must not occupy disabled parking spaces. Special pavement markings within the space indicate exclusivity. Yellow grid line width: 120cm; outer line width: 20cm; inner fill line width: 0cm; angle between inner and outer lines: 45°; outer line length should match the parking space marking length. Requirements for prohibiting on-street parking spaces: Fire lanes, sections with no-parking signs or markings, and construction zones affecting traffic; Roads designated for disaster relief and emergency evacuation; Sidewalks, if 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; 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 (water, electricity, gas, etc.) and within 15m of these locations; Within 200m of off-street parking lot entrances; Near roadside

[SanMadison]

The standards for parking spaces are actually quite straightforward. Common regular parking spaces are typically about 2.4 to 2.5 meters in width, 5 to 6 meters in length, and at least 2.1 meters in height, which can accommodate most small cars for entry and exit with doors opened. I've noticed that accessible parking spaces for people with disabilities are wider, usually over 2.8 meters, and clearly marked. Safety considerations are crucial, such as ensuring the aisle width is at least 5.5 meters for easier reversing and turning, and having clear ground markings to prevent scraping accidents. Standards may slightly vary by region, with urban center parking lots often being more compact. In practice, I always remind myself to check the surrounding space before parking, leaving some margin to ensure safety. These standards aren't arbitrary but are designed based on experience—adhering to them reduces hassle and risks, especially for beginners who are more prone to issues. It's advisable to adjust parking habits according to local regulations to avoid fines for violations.