Multi-Family and Apartment Parking Lot Striping: Layout, Numbering, and Compliance

Apartment Parking Operates Differently

Multi-family residential parking lots operate under a fundamentally different model than commercial lots. Vehicles park for hours or days rather than minutes. Many spaces are assigned to specific tenants. The same people use the same spaces daily, creating territorial dynamics. Visitor parking must be managed separately from tenant parking. Towing enforcement requires clear, unambiguous markings.

This operational model demands specific marking strategies that commercial lots do not need — space numbering that matches lease agreements, clear visitor designations, tow-warning markings, and a layout designed for residential traffic patterns rather than commercial turnover.

Space Numbering Systems

Why Numbering Is Essential

For apartment complexes with assigned parking, space numbering is not optional — it is the foundation of parking management. Every lease agreement that assigns a parking space must reference a specific, identifiable space number. Without clearly marked numbers, enforcement is impossible because you cannot tow a vehicle from "the wrong space" if spaces are not identified.

Numbering Approaches

Building-matched numbering. Number spaces to match the building and unit they are assigned to. Building 3, Unit 201 gets Space 3-201. This makes assignments intuitive for tenants and management.

Sequential numbering. Simple 1-through-N numbering works for smaller complexes where a master list maps space numbers to units.

Zone-based numbering. Larger complexes divided into parking areas use zone prefixes — A-1 through A-50 for the north lot, B-1 through B-50 for the south lot.

Number Marking Specifications

Space numbers should be 8 to 12 inches in character height, painted in white or contrasting color, positioned 3 to 5 feet from the front of the space where visible when the space is occupied, and re-painted whenever they become difficult to read. See our complete striping guide for marking details.

Visitor Parking

Designation and Placement

Visitor spaces should be located near building entrances and the leasing office, clearly marked with "VISITOR" stencils and signage, subject to time limits (typically 24 to 72 hours) posted on signage, and distributed among buildings rather than clustered in one location.

Volume

Industry standards suggest 0.15 to 0.25 visitor spaces per unit. A 100-unit complex should have 15 to 25 visitor spaces. Local zoning codes may specify a minimum visitor space count — check your jurisdiction.

ADA Compliance

Multi-family residential properties must comply with ADA requirements. Complexes with 4 or more units are covered by the Fair Housing Act, which adds accessibility requirements beyond ADA.

Accessible space counts follow the standard ADA scale based on total lot capacity. At least 1 in every 6 accessible spaces must be van-accessible. Accessible spaces must be located on the shortest accessible route to building entrances.

Distribution. For complexes with multiple buildings and parking areas, accessible spaces must be distributed among the buildings — not clustered in one lot. Each building should have accessible spaces proportional to its parking. See our striping regulations in Oregon guide.

Accessible routes. The path from accessible spaces to building entrances must be fully accessible — level, paved, and connected with curb ramps. This is particularly challenging on complexes built on sloped terrain, where accessible routes may need to follow longer paths to maintain acceptable grades.

Fire Lane Markings

Apartment complexes typically have extensive fire lane requirements. Access roads through the complex, building frontages, and fire hydrant clearance zones all require red curb marking and signage. Fire departments need to be able to reach every building with apparatus — the fire lane system must provide continuous access.

Common fire lane marking needs at apartment complexes include red curbing along all building-adjacent roadways, "NO PARKING — FIRE LANE" signage, fire hydrant clearance zones (15 feet on each side), dumpster enclosure access lanes, and turnaround markings at dead-end access roads.

Tow-Away Markings

Parking enforcement at apartment complexes relies on clear markings that support towing authorization. Spaces must be clearly numbered (for assigned-space enforcement), visitor spaces must be clearly designated (for time-limit enforcement), fire lanes must be marked and signed (for fire code enforcement), and "TOW-AWAY ZONE" signage must be posted at lot entrances per Oregon towing law requirements.

Oregon law (ORS 98.805-98.860) governs towing from private property and requires specific signage, marking, and notification procedures. Inadequate marking can void towing authorization and expose the property owner to liability.

Maintenance Planning

Apartment lot markings face daily wear from the same vehicles parking in the same spaces. Oil drip patterns, turning movements at assigned-space entries, and concentrated wear at building entrances create predictable deterioration patterns.

Annual assessment. Walk the lot annually and assess marking condition. Prioritize ADA markings, fire lanes, space numbers, and visitor designations for re-painting. Include lot condition in your parking lot maintenance checklist.

Coordinate with sealcoating. Apartment lots benefit from bundled sealcoating and striping package projects that address pavement preservation and marking renewal simultaneously.

Resident notification. Striping at apartment complexes requires resident coordination — moving vehicles from sections being striped, providing advance notice, and managing temporary parking disruption. Plan striping projects in manageable sections with clear resident communication.

See our parking lot striping cost in Oregon guide for pricing and asphalt maintenance for pavement care.

Apartment Striping by Cojo

Cojo provides striping services for apartment complexes, condominiums, and multi-family properties across Oregon. We handle space numbering, visitor designations, ADA compliance, fire lanes, and complete lot marking with resident-friendly scheduling.

Contact Cojo for a free multi-family lot assessment.