Fla. Stat. § 553.501 et seq. § 553.511
Parking facilities; minimum height clearance requirement.
Operative Text
Every nonresidential structure built on or after January 1, 1991, which is designed to use covered or underground parking as the primary available parking space shall design the covered or underground parking facility to maintain a minimum height for the portion of the street-accessible level of the parking facility directly over van-accessible parking spaces and for providing ingress and egress to such parking spaces of at least 8 feet 2 inches. Signs shall be posted to warn operators of handicapped-equipped vans that they cannot pass beyond a certain point due to height limitations. If compliance with this minimum height clearance requirement will cause the structure to exceed local height limitations imposed by local zoning, planning, or fire ordinances, or will result in the imposition of any additional requirements of such ordinances, the structure may exceed the height limitation specified in those particular codes as necessary to comply with the requirements of this section and is exempt from such additional requirements. Structures for which the plans were sealed by an architect prior to January 1, 1991, are exempt from this section.
Florida Statute § 553.511 establishes a minimum vertical clearance of 8 feet 2 inches for the street-level portions of covered or underground parking facilities in nonresidential buildings constructed on or after January 1, 1991, specifically over and around van-accessible parking spaces. The rule also requires posted signage to alert drivers of handicapped-equipped vans when height restrictions prevent further travel. When meeting this clearance standard would push a building above local zoning or fire-code height limits, the statute allows the structure to exceed those local limits as needed, and exempts it from any additional requirements triggered by that excess height.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators and developers of nonresidential properties subject to Fla. Stat. § 553.511 generally ensure that covered or underground parking facilities designed as the primary parking option include at least 8 feet 2 inches of vertical clearance at the street-accessible level above and around van-accessible spaces, including the ingress and egress routes to those spaces. Compliant facilities also display posted warning signs directing van operators to height-restricted areas before they encounter a clearance problem. When a project's architect sealed plans before January 1, 1991, the structure falls under the statutory exemption and is not subject to these requirements.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Fla. Stat. § 553.511 is primarily a building-design and accessibility standard rather than a tenant-rights provision, but individuals who use handicapped-equipped vans have an interest in knowing that covered or underground parking in qualifying nonresidential buildings built after January 1, 1991, is supposed to accommodate van-accessible clearance heights. If a covered parking facility appears to lack the required 8-foot-2-inch clearance or the mandated warning signage, concerns can generally be raised with the local building or code enforcement authority. Tenant-rights organizations or disability-rights advocates may also be able to help identify appropriate complaint channels when accessibility standards appear not to have been met.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 29, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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