Can You Park on a Speed Bump? Rules & Markings

Why Speed Bump Marking Matters

An unmarked speed bump is a lawsuit waiting to happen. When drivers hit a speed bump they did not see — especially at parking lot speeds of 10 to 25 mph — the impact can damage vehicles, injure passengers, and dislodge unsecured cargo. Pedestrians walking near unmarked speed bumps face tripping hazards. Property owners face liability for injuries caused by inadequately marked lot features.

Proper speed bump marking serves two purposes: advance warning that a speed bump is ahead and clear visual identification of the bump itself so drivers can see exactly where it starts. Both painted markings and vertical signage contribute to adequate warning. This guide covers the marking requirements, color standards, and best practices for speed bump visibility in Oregon parking lots.

Speed Bumps vs. Speed Humps vs. Speed Tables

Before discussing marking, it is important to distinguish between the three common speed control devices.

Speed bumps are abrupt, narrow raised areas — typically 3 to 6 inches high and 12 to 36 inches deep in the direction of travel. They produce a significant jolt at any speed above 5 mph and are used in parking lots and very low-speed areas.

Speed humps are gentler, wider raised areas — typically 3 to 4 inches high and 12 to 14 feet deep. They produce a gentle roll at 15 to 20 mph and are used on roads and in lots where moderate speeds are desired.

Speed tables are flat-topped speed humps — a raised platform that is typically 3 to 4 inches high with a flat top of 10 to 20 feet. They often double as raised crosswalks.

All three require marking, but the marking approach and regulatory requirements differ slightly based on the device type and its location.

Standard Marking Patterns

Diagonal Stripe Pattern (Most Common)

The most widely used speed bump marking pattern consists of alternating diagonal stripes painted on the face of the bump. The standard pattern uses yellow and black diagonal stripes at approximately 45-degree angles, with each stripe typically 6 to 12 inches wide.

The yellow-and-black chevron pattern provides high contrast visibility in both daylight and darkness, communicates "warning" through the universal association of yellow-black striping with hazards, and is consistent with public road speed hump markings.

Solid Yellow Pattern

Some property owners and jurisdictions use solid yellow paint across the top face of the speed bump. This is simpler to apply than diagonal stripes and provides adequate visibility in well-lit lots. However, it provides less contrast and warning impact than the diagonal stripe pattern.

White Chevron Pattern

White chevrons or arrows pointing upward toward the bump face provide both color contrast and directional warning. This pattern is less common than yellow-black stripes but meets visibility requirements.

Regulatory Requirements in Oregon

Oregon does not have a single statewide standard for speed bump marking in private parking lots. However, several overlapping requirements apply.

MUTCD guidance. The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices provides standards for speed hump marking on public roads, including specific marking patterns and advance warning signage. While private parking lots are not required to follow MUTCD, courts often reference MUTCD standards when evaluating whether a property owner provided adequate warning.

ADA considerations. Speed bumps that cross pedestrian paths must be detectable by people with visual impairments. The color contrast between the marking and the surrounding pavement must be sufficient for people with low vision to identify the hazard. Additionally, speed bump design must not create a barrier to wheelchair access — ramps or gaps at sidewalk crossings are required.

Local codes. Oregon municipalities including Portland, Eugene, Bend, and Medford may have specific requirements for speed bump marking in commercial parking lots. Check with your local building or fire department for jurisdiction-specific requirements. See our striping regulations in Oregon guide for an overview.

Advance Warning Markings

Beyond marking the speed bump itself, advance warning gives drivers time to reduce speed before reaching the bump.

Pavement markings. "BUMP" or "SPEED BUMP" text stenciled on the pavement 20 to 50 feet before the speed bump provides ground-level warning. Yellow text on dark pavement provides the best visibility.

Warning signs. Vertical signs reading "SPEED BUMP" or displaying the speed bump symbol should be posted 25 to 50 feet before the bump on both sides of the approach. Signs should be visible from the driver's normal line of sight and not blocked by parked vehicles.

Painted approach markings. Some lots paint a series of graduated bars or chevrons on the pavement approaching the speed bump to create a progressive warning effect that communicates "slow down."

Reflectivity Requirements

Speed bumps must be visible at night and in wet conditions. In Oregon, where many months bring early darkness and frequent rain, reflective marking is essential.

Glass bead application. Apply retroreflective glass beads to all speed bump paint — both the bump face markings and advance warning text. This ensures headlight illumination makes the markings visible in darkness.

Reflective tape. Adhesive retroreflective tape can be applied to the face of speed bumps, particularly prefabricated rubber or plastic bump units. This provides durable reflectivity that withstands tire contact better than paint alone.

Reflective pavement markers. Raised reflective markers placed before speed bumps provide point-source reflectivity that is visible from greater distances than painted markings.

Maintenance and Re-Marking Schedule

Speed bump markings wear faster than standard parking lot lines because every vehicle drives directly over them. The tire contact, turning forces, and impact stresses on speed bump paint produce accelerated wear.

Re-marking frequency. Plan to repaint speed bump markings every 6 to 12 months for standard traffic paint. Thermoplastic markings may last 2 to 4 years on speed bumps. Include speed bump condition in your parking lot maintenance checklist.

Signs. Vertical speed bump signs are less susceptible to wear but should be inspected annually for visibility, legibility, and physical damage.

Liability Considerations

Inadequate speed bump marking exposes property owners to liability claims from vehicle damage, including broken suspension components, damaged undercarriages, and burst tires; passenger injuries, particularly whiplash and back injuries from unexpected impacts; pedestrian trips and falls on unmarked raised surfaces; and motorcycle and bicycle crashes caused by riders who did not see the bump.

Documented speed bump marking that meets or exceeds MUTCD-equivalent standards provides a strong defense in liability claims. The cost of proper marking — $75 to $250 per speed bump for paint and $100 to $400 per vertical sign — is minimal compared to the cost of a single injury claim.

Cost of Speed Bump Marking

Component	Cost Range
Diagonal stripe painting (per bump)	$75-$150
Thermoplastic marking (per bump)	$150-$350
"SPEED BUMP" pavement text	$35-$75
Vertical warning sign (per sign)	$100-$400 installed
Reflective tape (per bump)	$25-$60

For comprehensive pricing, see our parking lot striping cost in Oregon guide.

Professional Speed Bump Marking

Cojo marks speed bumps as part of complete striping services for Oregon parking lots. We apply high-visibility diagonal stripe patterns with reflective glass beads and can coordinate advance warning signage installation.

See our complete striping guide for more on marking methods. Contact Cojo for a free assessment.

---