The right handicap signs for sale are the ones that match the space they mark. Every accessible stall needs a standard reserved accessible sign. At least one in every six accessible stalls needs a van accessible sign. An arrow sign suits one post that serves two stalls, and a custom sign suits states that require their own wording. Buy aluminum with reflective sheeting, mount it at least 60 inches high, and expect to pay roughly $15 to $48 per sign.
The hard part is the search itself. Results show catalogs of near-identical signs, starting prices from under $10 to nearly $50, and little explanation of which ones satisfy the ADA, the MUTCD, or your state. A wrong order means a second order, and a lot that stays non-compliant in the meantime.
This guide covers the four sign types nearly every parking lot needs, then shows how to compare sizes, materials, and prices. Safety Decals is a family-owned Michigan company that traces back to Tye's Neon Signs in 1947. It sells each type, so its product line supplies the examples.
1. Standard accessible parking sign
What it is
The standard accessible parking sign is the one every accessible stall needs. It is a reserved-parking sign that shows the International Symbol of Accessibility. The federal MUTCD designation is R7-8. Wording differs by version, such as "Handicapped Parking," "Handicapped Parking Only," or "Reserved Parking Accessible," so match the wording your state expects.
Every accessible stall needs its own post-mounted sign with the International Symbol of Accessibility.
Where to mount it
Post one sign per accessible stall, with the bottom edge at least 60 inches above the ground, as the ADA Standards for Accessible Design require. Lots with four or fewer total spaces are exempt from the sign requirement. A symbol painted on the pavement does not replace the post-mounted sign.
Size, price, and options
The usual size is 12 x 18 inches. Safety Decals sells four versions, all made from .080 aluminum, MUTCD compliant, and priced from $35.99 to $47.99 depending on the options you choose:
- Sign - Handicapped Parking
- Sign - Handicapped Parking Only
- Sign - Reserved Parking Accessible
- Sign - Reserved Parking Handicapped - Symbol (12" W x 18" H)
2. Van accessible parking sign
What it is
A van accessible sign marks the stall with the extra width and clearance that vans with lifts need. The ADA requires at least one van accessible stall for every six accessible stalls, or fraction thereof. Signs for those stalls must carry the "van accessible" designation.
One van accessible stall is required for every six accessible stalls, so even a small lot needs at least one.
Where to mount it
Put the van designation on the same post as the standard sign, or use a combined sign. Keep the bottom of the lowest sign at 60 inches or higher. Do not let a van sign stand alone, because the stall still needs the accessible symbol sign.
Size, price, and options
Safety Decals offers Sign - Handicapped Van Accessible and Sign - Reserved Parking Van Accessible. Both are .080 aluminum with reflective sheeting and sell in the same $35.99 to $47.99 range. Check each product page for the size options before you order.
3. Reserved parking sign with arrow
What it is
An arrow sign tells drivers which stall or stalls the sign covers. It solves the common case where one post sits between two stalls, or where a sign faces a row of stalls from the end. A single arrow points one way, and a double arrow covers both neighbors.
Use an arrow sign whenever one post serves more than one stall, so no driver has to guess which space is reserved.
Where to mount it
Place it on the post that sits on the line between two adjacent stalls. Face it toward approaching traffic, and keep the 60-inch minimum height. At the end of a row, a single arrow keeps the sign from reading as reserving the wrong stall.
Size, price, and options
Safety Decals sells Sign - Reserved Parking Accessible with Arrow at $35.99 to $47.99. It also offers custom arrows and layouts. For a special arrangement, email sales@safetydecals.com with a sketch of your stall layout.
4. Custom and state-specific signs
What it is
Custom signs add wording the standard sign lacks, such as a fine notice, "Permit Required," or a towing warning. The ADA sets the sign requirement, but states set penalty language, and some publish exact sign text. New Jersey's accessible parking penalty sign is one example.
The ADA tells you a sign is required. Your state tells you what extra words it must carry.
Where to mount it
Supplemental signs usually go on the same post, below the main sign. Before you order, ask your state transportation department or local building office which wording and sizes apply to your lot. Rules differ, so confirm them first.
Size, price, and options
Safety Decals offers custom wording, arrows, and layouts on its custom parking signs. Email sales@safetydecals.com or call (888) 219-6301 for a quote. Custom pricing depends on the design, so no single price applies.
How to compare handicap signs before you buy
Price ranges you will see
Online listings run from about $7 for lightweight yard-style signs to about $29 for a standard 12 x 18 aluminum sign, and multipacks appear at around $49 for five. Those are usually "starting at" prices that climb with size, material, and sheeting. The table sets them beside Safety Decals.
| Type of listing | Typical price | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Yard or economy signs | About $7 to $10 | Not made for permanent post mounting |
| Standard aluminum single sign | About $14 to $29 | Aluminum thickness, reflective grade |
| Five-pack, 12 x 18 | About $49 (about $9.80 each) | Material and MUTCD compliance |
| Safety Decals sign | $35.99 to $47.99 | .080 aluminum, ORALITE® reflective sheeting |
Thickness, sheeting, and where to buy
Thicker aluminum resists bending and vandalism. Reflective grade matters at night. Safety Decals offers ORALITE® sheeting in four grades: Type I engineer grade, Type IV high intensity, Type IX wide observation angle, and Type XI brilliant. Higher types are brighter. Home improvement stores carry stock signs, but custom and state wording usually comes from a sign specialist. Hangtag placards for cars come from your state motor vehicle agency, not from a sign seller.
Worked example: a 60-space lot
A lot with 51 to 75 total spaces needs 3 accessible stalls, and one of them must be van accessible. You need three signs, one of them a van sign. At Safety Decals prices, three signs cost 3 x $35.99 = $107.97 at the low end and 3 x $47.99 = $143.97 at the high end. Posts and hardware cost extra.
Count your stalls first, then buy the sign types, not a catalog's worth.
Pick the sign that matches the stall
Start with the stall count, buy one standard sign per accessible stall, make at least one in six a van sign, and use arrows or custom wording only where the layout or your state calls for them. Choose aluminum with reflective sheeting, and mount every sign at least 60 inches above the ground.
Prices vary because thickness and sheeting vary, so compare those before you compare the sticker price. If your state needs special wording or your lot has an unusual layout, ask before you order. You can see Safety Decals' full range of handicap and disabled parking signs or request a custom quote and get your handicap signs matched to your lot the first time.
