Accessible parking spaces are required based on the total number of parking spaces provided in each lot. Adjacent and parallel access aisles are also required. When multiple accessible entrances are provided, accessible parking must be dispersed at each accessible entrance. Accessible parking spaces must be located on the shortest accessible route from the parking lot to an accessible entrance.
Adequate parking should be available near all court facilities, with special provisions made for judges, elected officials or department heads, and if possible jurors.
In addition to judges and staff, attorneys, litigants, family, friends, jurors, media personnel, and witnesses all come to the courthouse daily for trials, other court hearings, and to conduct business with the courts. Lack of adequate parking not only creates traffic problems, as people drive around looking for places to park, it can cause court delays when trial participants are late to court because they cannot find a place to park.
Judges should be proved secure parking, preferably in an enclosed garage with direct access to the court’s private circulation system. Judges should never be provided unsecured parking in the public parking area and judges’ parking spaces should never be identified.
Determining the proper number of public parking spaces is contingent on a number of factors, including:
- The number and type of courtrooms.
- The availability of and the expected use of public transit.
- The number of employees.
- The availability of carpooling and public transportation programs to reduce staff parking requirements.
- The average number of attorneys, visitors, witnesses, litigant, and jurors expected daily and their expected length of stay.
- Availability of existing parking within a three- to five-minute walk from the courthouse.
- The average number of official vehicles expected daily at the site.
Handicapped-accessible parking spaces in the quantities required by code relative to the overall size of the parking lot must be provided. Accessible spaces should be located adjacent (or as close as possible) to the building’s main entry.
A drop-off zone may be provided near the building’s main entry. If provided it should be outside any defined security zone protected by bollards, berms, or other type of barrier.
Provide a loading/delivery zone for delivery vehicles that do not need to use the loading dock, or where a loading dock is not provided.