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Reference Notes
BARRIER-FREE PARKING STANDARDS AND BUILDING ACCESS
1.0 Background Documents 3.1 Barrier-Free Parking

This document on Barrier-Free standards, shall be used in

conjunction with The Ontario Building Code, (OBC), Section 3.8.
Barrier-Free Design Ontario Regulation 403/97 as amended, the
City of Mississauga Site Plan Development Application Manual,
and the City of Mississauga zoning requirements.

2.0 Design Application

As part of the Site Plan Approval and OBC requirements, the City
of Mississauga requires the provision of barrier-free parking and
accessibility to all buildings. Exceptions include houses, high
hazard industrial and infrequently occupied buildings. (OBC
Reference 3.8.1.1.)

3.0 Barrier-Free Parking Requirements

The City of Mississauga Site Plan Development standards require:

C Provide approximately one percent of the total number of
parking spaces of a proposed development for disabled persons
parking. Refer to specific zoning requirements.
C Disabled Persons Parking Stalls to be 4.6m x 5.2m, (15ft. 1in.
x 17ft. 1in.), as per zoning By-laws.
The Site Plan process requires that disabled persons parking
signage be provided within 2m, (6ft.6in.) of the disabled persons
parking stall. Locate the parking signage permanently within
planting areas or attach to the building walls.
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Reference Notes
3.2 Barrier-Free Parking Guidelines
C Disabled persons parking spaces should be located as close as
possible to a barrier-free access walkway and the barrier-free
building entrance. Site Plan Development Standards indicate
that disabled persons parking spaces should be located within
30m, (98ft.), of the main building entrance.
C Disabled persons parking spaces must allow immediate
access to a barrier-free walkway, ideally without requiring the
user to move behind or between parked cars or to cross
vehicular traffic.
3.3 Parking Sign Details
By-law 134-83
Colour Specifications: White background,
Black letter P, legend and border, Red
annular band with interdictory stroke, Blue
symbol background and outline. Entire sign
face to be of reflective material.
3.4 Barrier-Free Parking Enforcement
The City of Mississauga Enforcement Division enforces all
Municipal By-law regulations relating to the required number,
location and signage for barrier-free parking under By-law 134-83.
Dimensions of the barrier-free parking stalls are regulated by the
three Zoning By-laws.
4.0 Barrier-Free Walkway Requirements
(OBC Reference 3.8.3.2)
• A barrier-free path of travel is required to connect the
disabled parking spaces to the barrier-free building entrance.
C Exterior walkways shall be slip resistant, continuous and
even surfaced.
C Exterior walks should drain easily. A brushed concrete finish,
oriented at right angles to the path of travel, is preferred.
C A minimum width of 1100mm, (3 ft.-7"), and a gradient not
exceeding 1 in 20 is required for barrier-free exterior walks.
Gradients exceeding 1 in 20 shall be designed as a ramp.
4.1 Barrier-Free Walkway Guidelines
C Provide a change of surface materials or painted lines in
locations in which a barrier-free access traverses a vehicular
driveway, fire route or parking aisle.
C Drain inlets should be placed not to conflict with a barrier-
free walk or ramp.
4.2 Curb Ramp Requirements
(OBC Reference 3.8.3.2.(3).)
C Curb ramps may be provided where the difference in
elevation between levels in the access route is not more than
200mm, (7-7/8in.).
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4.2.1 Curb Ramp (Guide to the OBC 1997 - 3.8.3.2)

4.3 Barrier-Free Ramp (Guide to the OBC 1997 3.8.3.3)

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4.3.1 Barrier-Free Ramp Requirements 4.5 Barrier-Free Walkway and Entrance
(OBC Reference 3.8.3.4.) Requirements
(Guide to the OBC 1997, 3.8.3.2)
C Ramps are required where the slope of a barrier-free path of
travel exceeds 1 in 20.
C Maximum ramp slope: 1 in 12
C Minimum ramp width between handrails:
870mm, (2ft. 10in.)
C Minimum level area at top and bottom of ramp:
1.5m x 1.5m, (5ft. x 5ft.)
C Provide level area minimum 1.5m, (5ft.) long at intervals not
more than 9m, (29ft. 6in.) in the ramp’s surface.
C Handrails: - Not less than 865mm, (2ft. 10in.), not more
than 965mm (3ft. 2in.) high
- Extend horizontally not less than 300mm,
(11-3/4in.), beyond the ramp.

4.6 Accessibility Signage Requirements

4.4 Barrier-Free Building Entrance Requirements (OBC Reference 3.8.3.1.)
(OBC Reference 3.8.1.2.and 3.8.3.3.)
C Signs incorporating the International Symbol of Accessibility
C The number of barrier-free entrances in a building shall not be for Disabled Persons are required to be mounted permanently
less than those specified in the table below and shall lead from to identify barrier-free building entrance(s). The official
the outdoors at sidewalk level or a ramp. symbol has a blue background, but can be set on a white
C Thresholds for doorways shall be flush or shall not exceed background if lighting reduces clarity.
13mm, (1/2in.) in height above the finished floor and be
bevelled.

Minimum Number of Pedestrian Entrances

Required to be Barrier-Free

Number of Minimum number of

Pedestrian Pedestrian Entrances
4.7 Barrier-Free Access Enforcement:
Entrances into required to be Barrier-Free
Building
During the Building Permit Approval Process, the Building
1 to 3 1 Engineering Plan Examination staff ensure that barrier-free
requirements contained in the Ontario Building Code are reflected
more than 3 to 5 2 in the applicant's submission. Building Inspection staff ensure
that the barrier-free requirements noted on the building permit
more than 5 not less than 50% documents are incorporated during the construction of the project.

Source: OBC Table 3.8.1.2

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Reference Notes
Excerpts from the Ontario Building Code and the Guide to the OBC 1997 have been used with the permission of the Housing
Development and Buildings Branch, Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

For additional information, please contact the City of Mississauga, Planning and Building Department, Development and Design Division, 11th
Floor, 300 City Centre Drive, Mississauga, Ontario, (905)896-5522.