What are the standard dimensions for an accessible parking bay in the UK?

Under BS 8300:2018, a perpendicular accessible parking bay should be 2400mm wide with a 1200mm hatching zone on one or both sides, giving a total width of 3600mm. The bay length is 6000mm to allow wheelchair access from the rear of the vehicle. For parallel bays, the minimum length is 6600mm with 1200mm hatching alongside and 1200mm clear at each end.

How many accessible parking bays are required by UK standards?

BS 8300 recommends a minimum of 5% of total parking provision for car parks up to 200 spaces (at least 1 per 20 bays). For car parks with over 200 spaces, the recommendation is 2% of total spaces plus 6 bays. Local planning authorities may have additional requirements. An enlarged bay for minibus or wheelchair-accessible vehicles should also be considered.

What is the purpose of hatching on accessible parking bays?

The hatching zone (minimum 1200mm wide) provides the essential transfer space that wheelchair users need to get in and out of their vehicle. It must be kept clear at all times and marked with yellow cross-hatching on the surface. Adjacent accessible bays can share a hatching zone if it is at least 1200mm wide between the two bays.

What surface requirements apply to accessible parking bays?

The surface must be firm, durable, level (maximum 1:50 crossfall) and slip-resistant in wet conditions. Tarmac, concrete and resin-bound gravel are all suitable. Loose gravel or unbound surfaces are not acceptable. The route from the bay to the building entrance must also be smooth, level, and clearly defined with no steps or steep gradients.

Where should accessible parking bays be located?

Accessible bays should be on the shortest accessible route to the building entrance, ideally within 50m. They should be on level ground (maximum gradient 1:60, crossfall 1:50) and well lit. They must not require wheelchair users to travel behind parked vehicles or across traffic routes. If a dropped kerb is needed, it must have tactile paving and a maximum 6mm upstand.

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Accessible Parking Calculator - BS 8300 Bay Dimensions & Hatching

Calculate accessible parking bay dimensions, hatching zones and signage requirements per BS 8300 and Approved Document M.

Number of Standard Bays

Total standard (non-accessible) parking bays in the car park

Number of Accessible Bays

Proposed number of accessible bays to calculate

Bay TypePerpendicular (90°) or parallel (on-street) layout

Surface MaterialMust be firm, level and slip-resistant

How We Calculate This

This calculator determines accessible parking bay dimensions, hatching requirements, signage quantities and compliance with BS 8300:2018 and Approved Document M.

Bay dimensions

Perpendicular bays: 2400mm wide + 1200mm hatching = 3600mm total width, 6000mm length
Parallel bays: 2400mm wide + 1200mm hatching, 6600mm length, 1200mm end clearance

Provision calculation

BS 8300 recommends 5% of total spaces (or 1 per 20) for car parks up to 200 spaces, and 2% + 6 bays for larger car parks. The calculator checks your proposed number against these guidelines.