AS 2890.6:2022 – Accessible Parking Requirements and Compliance in Australia
Accessible parking is an essential component of inclusive building design. In Australia, AS 2890.6 sets out technical requirements for off-street parking facilities designed for people with disabilities, helping ensure that parking spaces provide suitable access, circulation and vehicle entry and exit arrangements.
For architects, builders, developers, engineers, access consultants and building certifiers, understanding accessible parking requirements is an important part of planning and delivering compliant building projects.
From the dimensions of accessible parking bays to shared areas, headroom, surface gradients and pavement markings, careful consideration of AS 2890.6 can help create parking facilities that are safe, functional and accessible.
This article explains the purpose of AS 2890.6, its key design considerations and how accessible parking requirements can be incorporated into building projects.
What Is AS 2890.6?
AS 2890.6:2022 is an Australian Standard titled Parking facilities, Part 6: Off-street parking for people with disabilities.
Published by Standards Australia in November 2022, it specifies minimum requirements for off-street parking facilities intended for people with disabilities. It forms part of the AS 2890 parking facilities series and addresses the design and layout of accessible parking spaces.
The standard is relevant to parking areas associated with a range of developments, including commercial buildings, retail centres, offices, healthcare facilities and other buildings where accessible parking is required.
Its requirements should be considered alongside the applicable National Construction Code (NCC), relevant disability access legislation and other applicable Australian Standards.
It is important to distinguish between the current published edition, AS 2890.6:2022, and earlier editions referenced in particular regulatory provisions. The applicable edition must be confirmed for each project before design or construction begins.
Why Is AS 2890.6 Important?
Accessible parking is more than a designated space with a disability symbol. It must provide a practical arrangement that allows a person with a disability to enter and exit a vehicle and continue along an appropriate accessible path.
Applying the relevant requirements of AS 2890.6 helps project teams:
Provide appropriately designed accessible parking spaces.
Allow suitable space for vehicle entry, exit and passenger transfers.
Reduce barriers between parking areas and accessible building entrances.
Coordinate parking layouts with pedestrian routes and building access.
Identify design problems before construction commences.
Support compliance with applicable building and accessibility requirements.
When accessibility is considered during the planning stage, it is generally easier to coordinate parking dimensions, structural elements, drainage, signage and pedestrian circulation without expensive modifications later.
Key Requirements of AS 2890.6
1. Accessible Parking Space Dimensions
Accessible parking spaces require specific dimensions and configurations to accommodate the needs of people with disabilities.
Unlike conventional parking bays, accessible spaces must account for the additional room that may be needed to enter or exit a vehicle, deploy mobility equipment or transfer between a wheelchair and a vehicle.
The standard addresses the dimensions and arrangement of accessible parking spaces, including dedicated parking areas and associated shared areas.
Designers should consult the applicable edition of AS 2890.6 for the exact dimensional requirements rather than relying on standard car parking dimensions or assumptions based on previous projects.
2. Shared Areas for Vehicle Entry and Exit
Shared areas are an important feature of accessible parking design. They provide additional space alongside or at the end of a parking bay to assist people with disabilities when entering or leaving a vehicle.
These areas must be positioned and configured in accordance with the applicable requirements. Their intended function must also be protected during the design, construction and operation of the parking facility.
Common issues include placing columns, storage, wheel stops or other obstructions where they interfere with the intended clear area.
Careful coordination of the parking layout helps ensure that these spaces remain practical and usable.
3. Accessible Routes to Building Entrances
An accessible parking bay should form part of a wider accessible journey, rather than being treated as an isolated facility.
The relationship between parking spaces, pedestrian paths and accessible building entrances is therefore an important design consideration.
Design teams should assess the route from the parking space to the relevant entrance, including changes in level, crossing points, kerbs, ramps and potential vehicle conflicts.
The applicable accessibility provisions and referenced standards determine the requirements for the connecting path. These should be reviewed alongside AS 2890.6 to ensure the parking layout and building access strategy work together.
4. Headroom and Overhead Clearance
Adequate overhead clearance is particularly important where accessible parking is provided in basements, covered parking structures or other areas with height restrictions.
Insufficient clearance can prevent some vehicles from accessing the designated space, particularly vehicles fitted with raised roofs or mobility equipment.
Designers should consider the approach route, the parking space and any overhead obstructions when assessing clearances.
Services, signage, pipes, beams and other building elements must be coordinated so that they do not compromise the required clearance.
5. Pavement Gradients and Surface Conditions
Accessible parking spaces need suitable surface conditions to support safe vehicle access and movement around the parked vehicle.
The design should consider surface gradients, drainage, slip resistance and changes in level. Excessive slopes or poorly detailed transitions can make vehicle transfers and movement around a parking bay more difficult.
Drainage should be coordinated with the parking layout to prevent water from collecting in critical areas or creating unsuitable surface conditions.
The exact gradient and surface requirements must be checked against the applicable edition of AS 2890.6 and any relevant project-specific provisions.
6. Pavement Markings and Identification
Accessible parking spaces must be appropriately identified in accordance with the applicable requirements.
Identification may include pavement symbols, line marking and relevant signage, depending on the space configuration and governing provisions.
Markings should be clearly visible and coordinated with the final parking layout. They should not be obstructed by columns, wheel stops or other permanent elements.
Designers and contractors should ensure that accessible spaces can be readily recognised and that their intended use is clearly communicated.
7. Bollards and Protective Elements
Some accessible parking configurations require protective elements, such as bollards, to help maintain the intended clear areas and prevent vehicle encroachment.
Where these elements are required, their location and arrangement must be coordinated with vehicle movements and the space needed for entry and exit.
Poorly positioned bollards can create an obstruction instead of improving accessibility. They should therefore be shown clearly on the design documentation and checked during construction.