Handicap Parking Marking: Signs, Paint Colors & Oregon Compliance

Handicap Parking Marking: What Oregon Property Owners Must Know

Handicap parking lot marking is one of the most visible and most scrutinized elements of any commercial parking lot. The blue paint, the wheelchair symbol, the vertical signs — these markings are universally recognized, and any property that gets them wrong invites complaints, citations, and potential lawsuits.

In Oregon, handicap parking marking requirements come from two sources: federal ADA standards and Oregon's own ORS 447.233. Together, they dictate exactly what markings are required, how they must look, and the consequences for failing to maintain them. This guide covers the paint colors, symbol specifications, signage standards, and maintenance requirements that Oregon property owners need to follow.

The Blue Standard: Handicap Parking Paint Colors

Why Blue?

Blue has been the standard color for handicap parking since the adoption of the International Symbol of Accessibility (ISA) in 1968. The blue-and-white color scheme is recognized worldwide, and while ADA itself does not mandate a specific shade of blue, the standard has been codified through decades of practice and referenced in most state and local building codes.

Blue Handicap Parking Paint Specifications

The blue paint used for handicap space painting in Oregon should meet these specifications:

Element	Color Standard
ISA symbol background	Blue (Federal Standard 595C color 15180 or equivalent)
ISA wheelchair figure	White
Access aisle hatching	Blue or white diagonal lines
Access aisle border lines	Blue (4-inch minimum width)
Stall boundary lines	Blue (distinguishes accessible from standard spaces)
"VAN ACCESSIBLE" text	White
"NO PARKING" in access aisle	White (where required)

Paint Quality Requirements

Handicap space painting must use traffic-grade paint rated for pavement application. Standard wall paint or general-purpose exterior paint is not acceptable — it will not adhere to asphalt or concrete under traffic conditions and will fail within weeks.

For Oregon properties, traffic-grade latex paint is the minimum standard. For longer-lasting results, thermoplastic or epoxy materials provide:

• Traffic latex: 12 to 18 months before fading becomes a compliance concern
• Epoxy: 2 to 3 years of visible markings
• Thermoplastic: 3 to 5 years, with superior color retention for the blue handicap paint

International Symbol of Accessibility (ISA) Requirements

The ISA — the white wheelchair figure on a blue background — is the centerpiece of every handicap parking lot marking. Oregon requires it on both the pavement and vertical signage.

Pavement ISA Specifications

• Minimum size: 36 inches x 36 inches (3 feet x 3 feet)
• Placement: Centered in the parking space, oriented to face approaching vehicles
• Design: The current ISA design (updated in 2012 by the Accessible Icon Project to show a more active, forward-leaning figure) is increasingly common, though the original static design remains fully compliant
• Color: White figure on a blue background square
• Condition: Must be clearly recognizable from a vehicle approaching the space

Pavement Stencil Quality

The ISA pavement symbol takes significant abuse from tire traffic, weather, and UV exposure. Quality matters:

• Pre-formed thermoplastic ISA stencils provide the best durability (4 to 7 years) and cleanest visual result
• Spray-applied paint stencils using a reusable metal template work for budget-conscious projects but need re-application every 12 to 18 months
• Hand-painted symbols are acceptable but rarely achieve the clean lines that stencils provide

For high-visibility applications, the pre-formed thermoplastic option is worth the investment. The symbol remains crisp and legible for years, reducing maintenance cycles.

Vertical Sign Requirements in Oregon

Oregon requires vertical signage at every accessible parking space. This is a state requirement under ORS 447.233, not just a federal ADA recommendation. Pavement markings alone are not sufficient.

Sign Specifications

Requirement	Oregon Standard
ISA symbol	White on blue background
Mounting height	Bottom of sign at least 5 feet above grade
Visibility	Must be visible when a vehicle is parked in the space
"Van Accessible"	Additional sign below ISA for van-accessible spaces
Fine warning	Sign must include the fine amount for illegal parking
Material	Reflective (visible at night)
Mounting	Freestanding post, wall mount, or existing structure

Oregon Fine Warning Requirement

Oregon is one of several states that require the fine amount for illegal parking in accessible spaces to be displayed on the sign. Under ORS 811.615, the fine for parking without a valid accessible parking permit is $250 for a first offense and up to $450 for subsequent offenses. Including this amount on the sign deters illegal parking and satisfies state requirements.

Sign Placement

• One sign per accessible space (not one sign for a group of spaces)
• Positioned so it is not blocked when a vehicle is parked in the space
• Cannot encroach into the required clear width of the access aisle or pedestrian path
• Must survive Oregon weather — signs should be rated for outdoor use in wet, windy conditions

Access Aisle Marking Standards

The access aisle is the hatched zone adjacent to every accessible parking space. It exists to provide wheelchair users space to deploy lifts, open doors fully, and transfer to a wheelchair.

Marking Components

1. Border lines: Solid blue lines (4 inches wide minimum) defining the outer edges of the aisle
2. Diagonal hatching: Blue or white lines at 45-degree angles, 4 inches wide, spaced approximately 36 inches apart (on-center)
3. Width identification: The aisle must be clearly distinguishable from the parking space and the drive lane

Why the Hatching Matters

Access aisles without diagonal hatching are routinely used as parking spaces by uninformed drivers. The hatching is the visual signal that communicates "this is not a parking space." Without it, even well-intentioned people will park in the aisle, blocking wheelchair access.

This is one of the most common handicap parking lot marking deficiencies we see on Oregon commercial properties — the stall lines are there, the signs are there, but the access aisle is either unmarked or so faded that drivers do not recognize it as a no-parking zone.

Curb and Pavement Marking Integration

Handicap parking marking often integrates with broader curb painting and pavement marking systems:

Blue Curb Designation

Some Oregon jurisdictions allow or require blue-painted curbs adjacent to accessible spaces. This is less universal than red curb painting for fire lanes but is used in some communities, particularly for on-street accessible spaces. Check with your local jurisdiction before applying blue curb paint — not all Oregon cities follow this practice.

Detectable Warning Surfaces

Where accessible spaces connect to curb ramps, the ramp must have detectable warning surfaces (truncated domes). These are not paint — they are physical tiles or surfaces that wheelchair users and visually impaired pedestrians can feel underfoot. The standard color is yellow on a contrasting background.

Connected Accessible Route Markings

While not strictly part of the handicap space marking, the path from the access aisle to the building entrance may include:

• Blue or white border lines along the accessible route
• Crosswalk markings where the route crosses a vehicle drive lane
• Curb ramp location markings for maintenance crews

Maintaining Handicap Parking Markings in Oregon

Oregon's climate creates specific maintenance challenges for handicap space painting:

Weather Impact

• Rain (October through May): Constant moisture accelerates paint wear and can cause delamination if paint was applied on damp surfaces
• UV exposure (June through September): Intense summer sun fades blue paint faster than most other colors
• Freeze-thaw cycles: Eastern Oregon properties face additional degradation from ice expansion in pavement cracks beneath markings

Maintenance Schedule

Task	Frequency
Visual inspection of all handicap markings	Every 6 months
Re-paint ISA symbols and access aisle hatching	Every 12 to 18 months (paint), 3 to 5 years (thermoplastic)
Sign inspection and replacement	Annually
Stall line touch-up	As needed (do not wait for full re-stripe)

ORS 447.233 Maintenance Obligation

Oregon law specifically requires property owners to maintain accessible parking markings in visible, legible condition. This is not a suggestion — it is a statutory obligation. A property owner who allows handicap markings to fade beyond recognition faces the same enforcement risk as a property owner with no markings at all.

What Non-Compliance Costs

The financial case for maintaining handicap parking lot marking is straightforward:

Scenario	Typical Cost
Annual marking maintenance (per space)	$100 - $300
ORS 447.233 citation (per violation)	$250 - $1,000+
Federal ADA lawsuit settlement	$10,000 - $50,000
ADA lawsuit attorney fees	$5,000 - $25,000+

Maintaining proper handicap parking marking costs a fraction of what a single enforcement action or lawsuit costs. For complete ADA striping specifications, see our ADA parking lot striping guide and ADA parking requirements Oregon.

Keep Your Handicap Marking Compliant

Handicap parking lot marking is not an area where close enough counts. The blue paint must be visible, the ISA symbol must be recognizable, the access aisle must be clearly hatched, and the signs must be posted. Oregon enforces these requirements through both state code and federal ADA, creating dual-track liability that makes compliance the only sensible path.

Cojo provides handicap space painting and ADA-compliant parking lot marking for commercial properties across Oregon. We use traffic-grade materials, verify dimensions on-site, and ensure every marking meets current standards. Contact Cojo for a free lot assessment, or learn more about our striping services.

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