10 Signs That Should Be in Every Parking Lot

10 Signs That Should Be in Every Parking Lot

Most business owners have a plan in place for organizing and setting up the interior of their business, but the same can’t necessarily be said for their parking lot and signage needs. The same can be said for municipal buildings and schools, it can be difficult to come up with a plan for which signs you need, where they should be posted, and how many there should be.

Think about all of the different aspects that must be considered when planning parking lot signage; not only will there be vehicle traffic, there’s also pedestrian traffic that must be considered. On top of that, parking lots must also specify different types of parking including handicap accessible parking, employee parking and more.

We’ve put together a list of the 10 most common signs that every safe and well-organized parking lot should have.

1. Handicap Parking Signs

Designated handicap accessible parking spaces are something that any parking lot must have in order to be compliant with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). According to the ADA accessible parking guidelines, parking lots with 1-25 spots must have at least one accessible parking space.

The number of required accessible parking spaces increases as the total number of parking spaces increases, to a maximum of 20, plus 1 for each 100 in parking lots with 1001+ parking spaces. Each handicap parking spot must have an accompanying handicap parking sign, and van-accessible spots must include the additional van-accessible sign.

While the Federal Highway Administration has created standardized accessible parking signs for use in most parking lots, some states have also created ADA-compliant designs with additional messages that must also be posted. To check and see if your state requires specific accessible parking signage, view our directory of handicap parking signs by state.

2. Fire Lane Signs

Depending on where your lot is located, you may need to designate an area adjacent to the building that must be kept clear for the fire department and emergency vehicles. Fire lanes must be kept clear for safety reasons, and restricting parking in these areas must be a top priority.

These municipal quality signs are ideal for parking lots, garages or visitor areas, and will alert customers, visitors, and deliveries that the area should be kept clear.

3. Parking Prohibited Signs

Just as you must designate handicap accessible parking, there are also some areas where you must prohibit parking entirely to maintain compliance and safety. Additionally, there may be areas where you choose to prohibit parking based on your own policies or needs. In any case, a parking prohibited sign will allow you to clearly designate areas in which drivers may not park their vehicle.

Some common places that you might place parking prohibited signs include near dumpsters, loading zones, entrances and exits, and anywhere else that a parked vehicle could get in the way or become a hazard.

4. Customer Parking Signs

Some businesses utilize customer parking signs for compliance with local regulations, and others do so simply to ensure that their customers will have access to parking spaces. Regardless, these signs will help prevent your parking spaces from being used by employees, other businesses, or any other unauthorized vehicles.

Reserving parking spaces specifically for your customers is not only a way to show them that you appreciate their business, but it also helps to ensure that you don’t lose any potential business due to the fact that no parking is available.

5. Directional Parking Signs

Directional parking signs are helpful for visitors who are trying to locate parking, especially new visitors who may not have been to your building before.

These directional parking signs, including signs with “parking ahead” messaging and arrows directing drivers to your parking lot, are critical for helping visitors locate the correct parking spaces and guiding them to your entrance. These signs are especially useful in cases where parking is located behind your facility or away from the main entrance.

6. Speed Limit Signs

Speed limit signs aren’t just for roadways! You don’t want vehicles to be moving at unsafe speeds, and a great way to designate speed limits in your parking lot is by utilizing speed limit signs. This will not only protect pedestrians, but it will also protect drivers and property.

Posting the speed limit inside of your parking lot is also a great way to alert drivers to the fact that they are no longer on the open road, and should be mindful of other potential hazards such as vehicles backing out of parking spaces.

7. Pedestrian Crossing Signs

Pedestrian crossing signs are a very effective way to alert drivers to areas in which there may be pedestrian traffic. These are commonly used near entrances/exits and other areas of the parking lot where pedestrians will frequently need to cross near vehicle traffic.

These signs can be used all around parking lots, including in larger parking lots that have multiple parking areas separated by private roads.

8. Entrance and Exit Signs

Entrance and exit signs are critical for maintaining an orderly flow of traffic in your parking lot by providing clear direction to drivers. These signs can help avoid traffic jams, accidents, and other issues by ensuring that traffic is flowing correctly.

Ensure that drivers are able to easily navigate your property by installing entrance and exit signs throughout your parking lot as needed.

9. Stop Signs

Stop signs are among the most important signs on the road, and the same is true for parking lots. Not only do stop signs signal where drivers must stop, they also keep drivers alert to potential hazards by requiring them to stop and check their surroundings before proceeding.

They will also help to regulate speed, as drivers are less likely to drive quickly if they see an upcoming stop sign. Stop signs are also commonly used at the exit of parking lots to remind drivers that they should stop and check for oncoming vehicle and pedestrian traffic before leaving.

10. Parking Lot Property Signs

Last, but certainly not least on this list are parking lot property signs that communicate policies related to shoplifting, private property in the parking lot, security, and more.

These signs are critical for business parking lots and other areas that are frequently utilized by customers, as well as in parking lots that are located in areas with high crime rates.