Parking lot dimensions

Are you struggling with parking lot measurements and markings? Then you’ve come to the right place, because DE-PARK will tell you what to look out for.

More and more vehicles – and not enough parking spaces

Do you suspect that there are more and more cars on the roads? You are absolutely right, because several hundred thousand vehicles are added every year. The number of vehicles in this country reaches a new record every year.

The car is the Germans’ favorite child, but there is a problem – not enough parking spaces! Private individuals and companies in particular therefore have difficulties in providing their employees and visitors with sufficient parking spaces. DE-PARK tells you below what is important.

The importance of parking space markings

Parking space markings must be in place to ensure that the designated area is used rationally with the correct parking space dimensions and that there is no confusion when parking. If there are no parking space markings, the whole thing not only looks messy, but there is also significantly less space for vehicles. In a properly marked parking lot with the right dimensions, there are also fewer emotional outbursts from drivers.

But not all parking space markings are the same. It is important that a number of important criteria are taken into account, such as good visibility, uniformity, weather resistance, suitable parking space dimensions and the right color.

Creating a parking space – how big does the parking space need to be?

Before you create your parking lot, you need to consider a few aspects. You can choose between different parking space variants and you have to decide between parallel, diagonally offset or herringbone parking spaces. But the most important question is: How big should or must a parking space be?

There is no general answer to this question, as this point is regulated differently in different cities/regions. DE-PARK therefore recommends that you find out about possible parking space regulations. When it comes to parking space dimensions, the bigger the better. Our specialists recommend that you find the golden mean between comfort and size, as there is no standard at federal level. However, there are recommendations for facilities for stationary traffic. Accordingly, a width of 2.30 m to 3.50 m is planned for disabled parking spaces and a width of 2.50 m for standard parking spaces.

How big does a parking space in an underground garage have to be?

When it comes to underground parking garages, certain dimensions must be observed during planning. The length must be at least 5 m, while the width can vary. This depends on whether the limitation of the long sides consists of walls, supports or other components.

A parking space must therefore be at least 2.5 m wide if the long sides are limited on both sides. A width of 2.4 m is sufficient for a boundary on one side only. If a parking space is open on both sides, a width of 2.3 m is sufficient. The width for disabled parking spaces must be at least 3.5 m.

Are the previous parking lot dimensions outdated?

The experts recommend that parking spaces should be wider. You probably know the situation – the parking space just seems too small for your car. In the course of the development of cars, everyone probably knows this feeling. Especially if only one parking space is free and there is a car on both sides. It often happens that even when parking perfectly, only a few centimeters separate your own car from its neighbor. When you get out, the door only opens a little and there is a risk of damaging your own and the other person’s car. Getting out of the car, but also parking, becomes a problem.

This problem has arisen over the decades as the width of vehicles has changed. However, the parking lot dimensions are still from the 1970s, when cars were much narrower than they are today. In addition to the size of the car, there are the dimensions of the exterior mirrors. The specialists at DE-PARK therefore recommend that you obtain information in the relevant region and opt for modern parking space dimensions.