What is the standard parking space size?
4 Answers
According to the "Specifications for Setting On-Street Parking Spaces in Urban Roads," the standard size of general parking spaces is determined based on vehicle size. Small parking spaces typically measure 2.5~2.7m × 5~6m. The width of a single-lane turning lane should be no less than 3.5m, while a double-lane turning lane should be no less than 5m. The turning area should allow a vehicle to complete a U-turn in one go. For safety or to accommodate medium/large vehicles, the turning area is often set to 6m or more. Details are as follows: (Length ≤ 6m, width ≤ 1.8m) vehicles: The minimum spacing between vehicles should be no less than 0.5m, and the spacing between vehicles and walls or parking space ends should also be no less than 0.5m. (6m < length ≤ 8m, 1.8m < width ≤ 2.2m) vehicles: The spacing between vehicles should be no less than 0.7m. Small vehicle parking space: Length ≥ 5m, width 2.2~2.5m. Large vehicle parking space: Length 7~10m, width 4m, depending on the vehicle model. According to the "Code for Design of Parking Garages," the dimensions for small vehicle indoor parking spaces are as follows: The design dimensions for small vehicles are 4.8m (length) × 1.8m (width) × 2.0m (height). For perpendicular parking, the minimum parking space size should be 5.3m (length) × 2.4m (width), with a minimum driveway width of 5.5m at the front. The minimum distance between small vehicles and side walls should be 0.6m, and the minimum distance to front/rear walls should be 0.5m. Modern underground parking garages have large floor areas and many parking spaces. To ensure smooth vehicle movement, driveways are planned to occupy a significant portion of the space. Driveways, as horizontal passages dedicated to parking spaces, account for 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 6m, width 2.5m. Angled parking space: Diagonal length 6m, width 2.8m, with a perpendicular distance of 2.5m between two angled lines. Perpendicular parking space: Length ≥ 5m (typically 6m), width 2.5m. 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 6m, nor on crosswalks or major expressways. On urban roads, parking spaces may be designated by authorities where they do not impede pedestrian or vehicle traffic. On-street parking spaces should not interfere with bicycle lanes or occupy non-motorized vehicle spaces. They should not be placed near intersections, building entrances, or bus stops. Parking time and vehicle types should be indicated by signs. Measures should be taken to avoid obstructing traffic flow. Additionally, on-street parking spaces should not have ground locks to prevent private occupation. Roads where parking is prohibited may have barriers, posts, or bollards. When parking spaces are removed, all related signs and markings must be cleared promptly to prevent illegal parking. On-street parking spaces should not be set within 200m~300m of off-street public parking lots. Quantitative rules for on-street parking space setup: The "Specifications for Setting On-Street Parking Spaces in Urban Roads" provide quantitative rules based on road width. For two-way roads: if the actual width exceeds 12m, parking spaces may be set on both sides; if between 12m and 8m, on one side; if less than 8m, no parking spaces. For one-way roads: if the actual width exceeds 9m, parking spaces may be set on both sides; if between 9m and 6m, on one side; if less than 6m, no parking spaces. For disabled parking spaces, the specifications require that at least 2% of total parking spaces be designated for disabled use. If there are over 20 parking spaces, at least one disabled parking space should be provided. Parking space marking colors: White: Paid parking space. Blue: Free parking space. Yellow: Reserved parking space. Time-limited parking space: Dashed border (10cm line width) with permitted parking time marked inside (60cm numeral height). Disabled parking space: Special markings with yellow grids (120cm width) on both sides to indicate no-parking zones for boarding/alighting. The grid lines should have a 20cm outer line width and a 45° angle. Other vehicles must not occupy disabled parking spaces. Areas where on-street parking spaces should not be set: Fire lanes, sections with no-parking signs/markings, or construction zones that impede traffic. Roads designated for disaster relief or emergency evacuation. Sidewalks (if set, must not obstruct tactile paving). Near building entrances. Intersections, railway crossings, sharp curves, narrow roads (<4m), bridges, steep slopes, tunnels, or within 50m of such areas. Within 30m of bus stops, emergency stations, gas stations, fire hydrants, or fire stations (except for vehicles using these facilities). Within 20m of intersection channelized areas. Near underground utility access points or within 15m of such areas. Within 200m of off-street parking lot entrances.
I have studied urban parking design standards. Domestic standard parking spaces generally have a width of 2.5 to 2.7 meters and a length of 5 to 6 meters. For example, this size is common in underground garages of large shopping malls. However, some older residential areas may compress the width to 2.2 meters. Nowadays, new energy vehicles are generally wider, making it easy to scratch adjacent vehicles when opening doors in such narrow spaces. Vertical parking spaces require a length of at least 5.3 meters to be usable, while angled parking spaces can save space. Accessible parking spaces must be 3.5 meters wide to comply with regulations, and a 1.2-meter-wide wheelchair access path must also be reserved. When planning, the turning radius of the driveway must also be considered; otherwise, medium and large SUVs won't be able to turn properly. In recent years, charging spaces for new energy vehicles require additional space for power distribution boxes, actually occupying a width of 3 meters.
When I first got my driver's license, I always struggled with parking. Later, after becoming a ride-hailing driver and navigating through various parking lots, I discovered some patterns. For regular sedan parking spaces, having about 60 cm more width than the car's width makes parking easier. My old Corolla is 1.7 meters wide, and when parked in a 2.5-meter space, the side mirrors almost touch the neighboring cars. Those spacious 3-meter-wide luxury parking spots in shopping malls are a dream. The worst are those mini spaces under 2.3 meters—once in an old neighborhood, it took me five attempts to squeeze in, and I could only open the door a crack to get out. Nowadays, new cars are getting wider. Full-size SUVs like the Li L9 feel like wearing tight shoes in standard parking spaces, often sticking out beyond the lines. A heads-up for friends with automatic parking systems: the system requires the parking space to be at least 50 cm wider than the car's body.
When I bought my last home, I specifically compared parking space dimensions. The salesperson said the national standard minimum width is 2.2 meters, but it feels too cramped in actual use. Nowadays, new developments generally offer 2.5-meter-wide spaces - my Model Y can park with 30cm clearance on each side. Automated parking systems are particularly challenging - I've seen mechanical spaces as narrow as 2.05 meters where slightly wider vehicles simply can't fit. I recommend measuring your vehicle's width before purchasing a space - my neighbor with a Highlander learned this the hard way, with his side mirrors getting scratched daily. Be extra careful with spaces near underground garage pillars, as some shrink to 2.3 meters where door openings risk hitting the pillar. Families with strollers should opt for wall-adjacent spaces to gain more door opening room.
