Home / Resources / Florida Accessible Parking Signs

FLORIDA • STATUTE 553.5041

Florida accessible-parking sign requirements.

A focused fabrication reference for the permanent sign at an accessible parking space. Florida Statute 553.5041 addresses parking and access—not the complete interior ADA sign program.

What the Florida parking-space sign must communicate.

Permanent, above-grade signThe sign is placed on, or at, the accessible parking space and mounted so the bottom of the sign is at least 60 inches above the ground.

International Symbol of AccessibilityThe accessible-parking symbol is required as part of the permanent sign.

Required Florida captionThe sign must carry the words “PARKING BY DISABLED PERMIT ONLY.”

Penalty noticeSigns erected after October 1, 1996 must also indicate the penalty for illegal use of the space.

Federal parking provisions still apply.

Section 502.6 of the 2010 ADA Standards requires parking-space identification signs to include the International Symbol of Accessibility and identifies van spaces with the designation “van accessible.” The bottom of required parking signs is 60 inches minimum above the finish floor or ground surface, measured to the bottom of the sign.

Do not apply this parking rule to room signs. Interior permanent-room identification, tactile copy, braille and door-location rules are separate provisions under Sections 216 and 703.

OPEN THE ROOM-IDENTIFICATION REFERENCE →

The penalty panel is a Florida-specific fabrication detail.

Florida requires signs erected after October 1, 1996 to indicate the penalty for illegal use. The penalty is not one universal local dollar amount: state law provides a $100 fine or the amount designated by county ordinance, plus court costs, and a county or municipality may set a higher local fine up to $250.

Why FDOT shows “FINE $250 MAX.” The current FDOT FY 2026–27 Standard Plans include supplemental fine panels using that wording. That is different from saying every citation everywhere in Florida is automatically $250. Confirm the governing jurisdiction and project detail before release.

A generic MUTCD R7-8 layout is also not a substitute for checking Florida requirements. Florida requires the state-specific caption “PARKING BY DISABLED PERMIT ONLY,” and FDOT maintains Florida sign details for that assembly.

Common FDOT panel sizes are specific, but they are not the statute.

For FY 2026–27, FDOT Standard Plans 700-102 shows FTP-017-25 at 12 × 18 inches for the compact accessible-parking sign and FTP-019-25 at 12 × 6 inches for the “FINE $250 MAX” supplemental panel. FDOT also publishes larger FTP-018-25 (18 × 30) and FTP-019A-25 (18 × 9) alternatives.

Size and sheeting are project specifications. Florida Statute 553.5041 requires the sign, symbol, caption, penalty indication and mounting height; it does not itself establish one universal panel size or reflective-sheeting grade for every property. Use the governing FDOT/local detail and project signing specification.

DOWNLOAD FLORIDA PARKING-SIGN QUICK REFERENCE

Reference diagram only — not production art. Verify the current project detail, local requirements and authority having jurisdiction before fabrication.

Specify the whole assembly before fabrication.

Confirm the adopted Florida/FDOT or local sign detail, symbol, exact message, penalty panel and van designation.
Confirm panel size, sheeting/reflectivity specification, color and mounting hardware from the governing detail rather than assuming one generic parking-sign layout.
Verify the finished mounting height and that landscaping, curbs or parked vehicles will not obscure the sign.
Check municipal details, permit documents and the authority having jurisdiction for additional requirements.

Florida accessible-parking sign FAQ.

What wording is required?Florida Statute 553.5041 requires the International Symbol of Accessibility and the caption “PARKING BY DISABLED PERMIT ONLY.”

How high is the sign mounted?The bottom of the required sign is at least 60 inches above the finished floor or ground surface.

What fine belongs on the sign?The sign must indicate the penalty. State law provides $100 or the amount designated by county ordinance, plus court costs; local ordinances may set a higher fine up to $250. Current FDOT details use a “FINE $250 MAX” supplemental panel. Confirm the governing local/project detail.

What size is the common FDOT sign?Current FDOT FY 2026–27 detail FTP-017-25 is 12 × 18 inches, paired where applicable with the 12 × 6 FTP-019-25 “FINE $250 MAX” supplemental panel. Larger FDOT alternatives also exist. Confirm the governing project detail before fabrication.

Can I just use a generic R7-8?Do not assume so. Florida has state-specific wording and FDOT sign details, while federal ADA parking provisions still apply. Use the governing project and jurisdiction detail.

Official sources and current sign detail.

Florida Statute 553.5041 — parking-space sign requirements →

Florida Statute 316.1955 — enforcement of accessible-parking requirements →

Florida Statute 318.18 — parking penalty amount →

Florida Statute 316.008 — local fine authority →

FDOT FY 2026–27 Standard Plans 700-102 — current special sign details →

2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design — official source →

This page is a fabrication reference, not a project-specific code opinion. Confirm the current statute, adopted code, local detail, permit documents and authority having jurisdiction before release.