The Two Parking Signs California Requires That the ADA Never Mentions
Short answer: two. California requires two parking signs that the federal ADA never mentions — the “Minimum Fine $250” sign, and the tow-away warning sign. If your lot was set up to the federal standard, both are probably missing, and both are easy for anyone to spot.
The federal baseline
The ADA requires each accessible space to be marked with a sign showing the International Symbol of Accessibility, mounted high enough to stay visible when a vehicle is parked in the space. Van-accessible spaces get an added “van accessible” designation. That is essentially it for federal signage.
California requires that same symbol sign, and then adds two more that have no federal equivalent.
Sign one: Minimum Fine $250
Under 2025 CBC 11B-502.6.2, the accessible parking sign must carry the words “Minimum Fine $250.” It can be additional language on the main sign, or a separate smaller sign mounted below the symbol sign. Either way, those words have to be there.
This is the small rectangular sign you see under the wheelchair symbol on a compliant California lot. If your signs show only the symbol with no fine language anywhere, that is a finding.
Sign two: the tow-away warning
Under 11B-502.8, an additional sign has to be posted either at each entrance to the parking facility, or immediately next to the accessible parking and visible from each space.
This sign has specific requirements. It has to be at least 17 inches wide by 22 inches high, with lettering at least 1 inch high, and it has to state, in this language, that unauthorized vehicles parked in accessible spaces without a placard or disabled plates will be towed at the owner’s expense — followed by where the vehicle can be reclaimed and a phone number. Those blanks have to be filled in with the actual tow location and number.
This is the one owners miss most, because it is a whole separate sign, often at the lot entrance rather than at the stall, and it is easy to never install at all. A lot can have perfect striping, symbols and fine signs and still fail because this one sign is not posted.
Why California has these and the ADA does not
The ADA is federal civil rights law — it sets access requirements but leaves enforcement mechanics to other systems. California folds enforcement right into the building code. The fine sign and the tow-away sign exist so the parking can actually be kept clear, not just built correctly. That is why they are California-specific: they are about enforcement, which is a state matter.
What to check on your own lot
Look for the “Minimum Fine $250” language on or under every accessible parking sign. Then look for the larger tow-away sign — at your entrance or beside the accessible spaces — and check that its blanks are actually filled in with a tow company location and phone number. An installed sign with blank lines still on it is not complete.
Both signs are cheap to add. The expensive part is discovering they were missing after a claim rather than before.
Code references
Minimum Fine sign — 2025 CBC 11B-502.6.2
Tow-away / additional sign, size and lettering — 11B-502.8, 11B-502.8.1, 11B-502.8.2
Federal signage requirement — 2010 ADA 502.6
Confirm against the currently adopted code for your jurisdiction. Local amendments can apply.
Stephen Twist is a Certified Access Specialist (CASp #393) and an ICC Certified Plans Examiner. He provides CASp inspections in California and building code and accessibility plan review nationwide.
Want to check your whole lot the way a CASp would? The DIY Accessible Parking Inspection course walks through every element — count, dimensions, striping, the painted symbol, slope, signage, clearance and EV stalls — with printable field forms. $199, one time. https://www.stephentwist.com/diy-accessible-parking-inspection
Design professionals: if you would rather have the plan reviewed before it is built, get in touch.