Steps for Designing Parking Lots for Commercial Buildings
Commercial parking lot design is not something to just jump into! Even if you’ve realized that you need a new lot or must update an older one for your commercial building immediately, there are many important considerations. From managing the space for optimal safety to forward-thinking EV infrastructure planning that caters to the growing number of electric vehicle (EV) drivers, time spent now can mean greater profits and fewer difficulties in the future.
Keep reading to discover the basic steps of designing a commercial building parking area and learn about parking lot design best practices.
Commercial Parking Lot Design – Basic Steps
The final design of your lot will depend on the type of commercial building it’s for and the customers you intend to serve. However, the six basic steps are as follows.
1. Identify the Lot’s Purpose
Is this to be a parking facility for a retail store or a medical facility? Is it for a residential or a municipal building? These different uses will dictate the size and layout, among other characteristics.
2. Determine the Parking Facility Size and Spacing
A university’s parking facility must be larger than a lot for a restaurant or small motel. Some industries will have city requirements for lot size based on the facility’s square footage, while others, like hotels and restaurants, are based on the number of rooms or seats.
3. Create an Efficient Parking Layout
What are efficient parking layouts? These parking layouts have 90-degree angle spaces with access aisles, which can increase the lot’s capacity by 20%. However, lots with high turnover or limited space may use 45- or 60-degree-angle spaces with one-way access aisles. Include signage to control traffic and pedestrian flow.
4. Incorporate Lot Safety Features
In addition to adequate signage, commercial lots should have other safety features. Parking lot drainage design, accessible ramps, and lighting are also vital.
5. Make the Parking Lot Accessible and Compliant
Accessibility features ensure that those with mobility issues can easily navigate your facility. Easy access is essential for customer satisfaction and to comply with federal and local zoning regulations and accessibility rules. Otherwise, your company could be liable if a customer gets injured and decides to sue. Consult your local ordinances for specific requirements.
What zoning restrictions does a parking lot need to follow? Depending on the local jurisdiction, this may include location, access, capacity, construction, and design guidelines. For example, the lot may have a capacity limit and require pedestrian access from a public sidewalk.
6. Consider the Future of Parking
PwC analysts estimate that U.S. EV adoption will rise to 27 million by the end of this decade and 82 million by 2040. To service the charging needs of EV drivers, new and updated parking lot facilities should include EV charging stations. Consumers increasingly demand that businesses they use engage in eco-friendly practices. Consider environmentally friendly materials for construction, which can be an added selling point for your parking facility.
Parking Lot Design Best Practices
In commercial parking lot design, there are certain best practices that parking experts recommend for optimal space efficiency, traffic usage (movement of vehicles and pedestrians), and safety.
- Make the lot rectangular, with aisles and rows parallel to the longer side to maximize the number of spaces. Include spots on each side of the aisle.
- Abide by the standard space of 9 by 18 feet, with 24 feet for a two-way access aisle.
- Avoid using dead-end areas. Cars should always be able to drive through the aisles in both directions to help avoid congestion.
- Prioritize the flow of pedestrians and traffic.
- Ensure the parking facility doesn’t impede the commercial building.
By following these best practices, you help boost safety, efficiency, and customer satisfaction, which leads to greater profitability.
Choose FV Parking for Commercial Building Parking Solutions
At FC Parking, we help clients with parking lot design best practices and parking facility management for smooth, successful projects. We’ll ensure that you think of every essential aspect of your new or updated lot so there are no surprises.
Contact an experienced parking management company before designing and selecting your PARCS (parking access and revenue control system), as they’ll have valuable input on what system is best for your application. Getting a company like ours involved early will prevent headaches down the road!
Ready to build your parking space? Contact us at FC Parking to get started on your next design.