The Parking Lot Priority List: 3 Critical Factors You Can’t Afford to Overlook
Across industries, the details that shape safety, accessibility, and sustainability are countless—but one area that’s often underestimated, yet undeniably critical, is the parking lot. More than just a place to park, it serves as the first and last impression for anyone who visits, works at, or interacts with a property. It’s a high-traffic zone, a compliance checkpoint, and a drainage system.
With decades of hands-on experience in pavement marking, layout design, and regulatory compliance, I’ve had a front-row seat to the evolving challenges and growing expectations surrounding exterior infrastructure. Working across a diverse portfolio of properties, including campuses, municipal sites, industrial complexes, and healthcare facilities, has made it clear that three priorities consistently rise to the top: stakeholder safety, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance, and environmental impact, particularly drainage.
These aren’t just checkboxes; they’re foundational to creating spaces that function reliably and reflect a strong commitment to long-term operational integrity.
1. Stakeholder Safety
The safety of everyone who enters your facility begins in the parking lot. It’s not just about pothole patching and clear directional striping, though those are essential. True parking lot safety comes down to proactive risk management.
Pedestrian visibility should be a top priority. Clearly marked crosswalks, high-visibility paint, appropriate signage, and even traffic calming measures (like speed bumps or bollards) can dramatically reduce the chance of an accident. Slips, trips, and falls are another common hazard, often due to poor drainage, uneven surfaces, or inadequate lighting.
From a liability standpoint, a neglected parking lot is a ticking time bomb. If someone gets hurt, you’ll be asked when the last inspection took place, whether any hazards were noted and ignored, and what steps were taken to resolve them. Documented maintenance schedules and regular inspections not only keep people safe, they protect the organization.
2. ADA Compliance Regulations
ADA regulations extend well beyond doorways and restrooms. Parking lots are a major point of compliance and noncompliance.
Facilities managers must ensure that accessible parking spaces are:
- Located on the shortest accessible route to entrances;
- Marked with the correct signage and striping (including the International Symbol of Accessibility);
- Properly dimensioned to meet ADA width requirements; and
- Paired with access aisles, which are also clearly striped and maintained.
What many don’t realize is that ADA regulations are not “set it and forget it.” Wear and tear can quickly render compliant spaces non-compliant. Faded striping, missing signs, and unmaintained surfaces can all put your facility at risk of ADA violations and legal penalties.
It’s recommended that you conduct an annual ADA compliance audit for parking lots, especially if your facility sees high vehicle turnover or harsh weather conditions.
3. Drainage and Environmental Impact
Few things accelerate the deterioration of a parking lot like improper drainage. When water pools on asphalt or concrete surfaces, it causes cracks, erosion, and eventual sub-base failure. But beyond surface degradation, poor drainage can impact surrounding structures, landscaping, and even the local watershed.
For facilities located in areas with seasonal snowmelt or frequent storms, drainage should be treated as an essential part of the lot’s design and maintenance strategy. This includes:
- Ensuring proper slope and grading;
- Installing and maintaining catch basins and storm drains;
- Using permeable materials where possible; and
- Preventing runoff into sensitive areas.
Environmental regulations are tightening across the country, and facilities managers must stay ahead of the curve. Green infrastructure practices, like bioswales or rain gardens in adjacent landscaping, can help absorb runoff and reduce strain on municipal systems.
Proactive planning also prevents water from turning into an ice hazard during cold months, another major safety and liability concern.
It’s easy to overlook the parking lot when managing a complex facility, especially when internal systems and infrastructure demand daily attention. But the exterior is part of the total user experience—and carries just as much risk when neglected.
Parking lots are an extension of your brand, your commitment to accessibility, and your responsibility to protect both people and the planet. By prioritizing stakeholder safety, staying ahead of ADA requirements, and investing in sound drainage and environmental solutions, facilities managers can turn the parking lot from a pain point into a point of pride.
My journey of building a company rooted in services like seal coating, paint striping, and asphalt repair has given me the insight to assess what clients need most—reliable, compliant, and lasting exterior solutions. Seal coating helps protect surfaces from weathering and extends the lifespan of the pavement, while precise striping enhances traffic flow, safety, and compliance. Timely asphalt repairs prevent small issues from becoming costly liabilities. Together, these services ensure parking areas remain functional, attractive, and regulation-ready year-round.
Whether you’re planning a full resurfacing project or simply looking to refresh your striping and signage, make sure these three priorities guide your strategy.
Bryan Appell is the founder of Appell Striping, a provider of professional pavement maintenance and line striping.
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