ADA Parking Ratios for High-Density Retail in Lynnwood & Bothell
Compliance Calculation Guide
Updated January 2026
Executive Summary
With the rapid densification of Lynnwood City Center and the expansion of the Canyon Park business district in Bothell, commercial parking lots are being reconfigured to maximize capacity. However, simply adding more compact stalls can inadvertently put your property out of federal compliance. The number of required ADA (accessible) stalls is a sliding scale based on the total number of parking spaces. This guide breaks down the mandatory parking ratios for large retail centers and office parks to ensure you pass your next city audit.
The Math: Calculating Required Spaces
Under the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design, the number of accessible parking spaces required is determined by the total parking capacity of the facility. This applies whether you operate a small strip mall on 196th St SW or a massive lot near Alderwood Mall.
Crucial Note: If a facility has multiple distinct parking lots (e.g., a "Customer Lot" and an "Employee Lot"), the ratio must be calculated separately for each lot. You cannot aggregate them to skip a stall in the customer zone.
| Total Parking Spaces in Lot | Minimum Required Accessible Spaces |
|---|---|
| 1 to 25 | 1 |
| 26 to 50 | 2 |
| 51 to 75 | 3 |
| 76 to 100 | 4 |
| 101 to 150 | 5 |
| 151 to 200 | 6 |
| 201 to 300 | 7 |
| 301 to 400 | 8 |
| 401 to 500 | 9 |
| 501 to 1000 | 2% of total |
| 1001 and over | 20, plus 1 for each 100 over 1000 |
The "Van Accessible" Trap
A common failure we see during audits in Bothell's North Creek business district is having enough accessible spaces, but zero "Van Accessible" spaces.
The 1-in-6 Rule: For every six accessible parking spaces (or fraction thereof), at least one must be a Van Accessible space.
- Example A: A lot with 400 spaces requires 8 accessible spots. Calculation: 8 รท 6 = 1.33. You round up to 2. Therefore, you need 2 Van Accessible and 6 Standard Accessible spaces.
- Example B: A small lot on Main Street Bothell with 20 spaces requires 1 accessible spot. That single spot MUST be Van Accessible.
The Lynnwood City Center Challenge
The arrival of the **Link Light Rail** has triggered a zoning boom in Lynnwood. Property owners are restriping lots to squeeze in "Compact" stalls to meet tenant demands.
The Restriping Risk:
If you expand your parking lot capacity from 150 spaces to 151 spaces by adding a compact stall in the corner, you have just crossed a threshold. Your requirement jumps from 5 accessible stalls to 6. If you do not add that 6th stall, your entire lot is non-compliant, exposing you to liability.
Before finalizing any new layout for a high-density lot near the Convention Center or Alderwood, always check the "Total Count" against the table above.
Special Case: Medical Facilities
Bothell and Lynnwood are hubs for outpatient medical services (e.g., along the Bothell-Everett Highway). Be aware that if your tenant is a medical facility, the standard retail ratios do not apply.
Medical Facility Ratios
- Outpatient Facilities: 10% of total parking spaces must be accessible.
- Rehabilitation / Physical Therapy: 20% of total parking spaces must be accessible.
*Always verify tenant use-type before striping mixed-use commercial centers.
Pro Tip: When in doubt, round up. It is always better to have one extra accessible stall than to be one short during a city inspection.