November 4, 2026 · By Kade Boltjes
Parking Space Dimensions in Sioux Falls: Stall Sizes, Angles and Aisles
Short answer: In Sioux Falls, the City's parking table sets a standard 90-degree parking space at 19 feet deep, and stalls must be at least 8.5 feet wide (7.5 feet for spaces marked compact cars only). A common 9-foot by 19-foot stall needs a 24-foot drive aisle behind it, and narrower stalls need wider aisles. Handicap stalls follow the federal ADA rules on top of that.
If you own or manage a lot in Sioux Falls and you are thinking about a new layout or a restripe, these parking space dimensions are the numbers that decide how many cars fit. Most guides online give you the national "9 by 18" rule of thumb and tell you to check your local code. This post does the checking for you, using the City of Sioux Falls Commercial Parking Requirements brochure (revised November 2024), and explains what the numbers mean on real pavement.
The Sioux Falls parking space table, in plain English
The City publishes a stall table in its Commercial Parking Requirements brochure. It lists stall depth, stall width, and "module depth" for 45, 60, and 90-degree parking. Module depth is the total distance from the front of one row of stalls across the drive aisle. The brochure gives it two ways: one row of stalls plus its aisle, and two rows sharing one aisle. Subtract the stall depth and you get the aisle width.
Here is the table for standard stalls, with the aisle width worked out from the City's numbers:
| Parking angle | Stall width | Stall depth | Aisle width (works out to) | One row + aisle | Two rows + shared aisle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 90° (straight in) | 8.5 ft | 19 ft | 26 ft | 45 ft | 64 ft |
| 90° | 9.0 ft | 19 ft | 24 ft | 43 ft | 62 ft |
| 90° | 9.5 ft | 19 ft | 23 ft | 42 ft | 61 ft |
| 90° | 10.0 ft | 19 ft | 22 ft | 41 ft | 60 ft |
| 60° | 8.5 ft | 20 ft | 17 ft | 37 ft | 57 ft |
| 60° | 9.0 ft | 20 ft | 16 ft | 36 ft | 56 ft |
| 60° | 9.5 ft | 20 ft | 14 ft | 34 ft | 54 ft |
| 60° | 10.0 ft | 20 ft | 13 ft | 33 ft | 53 ft |
| 45° | 8.5 to 10.0 ft | 18 ft | 12 ft | 30 ft | 48 ft |
The brochure also lists compact-only stalls at 7.5 feet wide (16 feet deep at 90 and 45 degrees, 17 feet deep at 60 degrees).
Three things jump out:
- Sioux Falls stalls are deeper than the national rule of thumb. Most national guides say 18 feet. The City's table uses 19 feet for straight-in stalls and 20 feet for 60-degree stalls.
- Wider stalls get a narrower aisle. A 10-foot stall is easier to pull into, so the City lets the aisle shrink from 26 feet to 22 feet. That trade can make a wider, friendlier stall cost you less room than you would think.
- The table is a starting point, not the final word. The brochure calls it a partial table and says parking dimensions, entrance and exit signs, and markings must be approved by the City Engineering Department.
Other Sioux Falls parking lot rules most guides skip
The same brochure lists rules that affect layout and striping:
- Every parking space must be hard surfaced (concrete or asphalt) and marked with paint or another approved device.
- Each space must be reached directly from a hard-surfaced aisle or driveway.
- No one should have to back into the street, or back over a public sidewalk, to get out of a stall.
- Lots must have some type of wheel stop, such as curb or bumper blocks.
- Signs, markings, and surfacing must be kept neat and in good condition.
So faded lines are not just a looks problem.
Comparing 90, 60, and 45-degree parking
| 90° | 60° | 45° | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ease of parking | Hardest turn | Easier | Easiest |
| Usual traffic flow | Two-way aisles | Usually one-way | Usually one-way |
| Aisle width (9-ft stall, Sioux Falls table) | 24 ft | 16 ft | 12 ft |
| Best fit | Large, square lots where you need the most stalls | Long, narrow lots and busy retail fronts | Tight strips and lots with lots of trucks and vans |
Straight-in parking usually fits the most cars on a roomy lot. Angled parking needs less aisle, so on a narrow lot it may be the only way to fit a second row. Angled rows mean one-way traffic, so arrows and entrances must match.
Handicap stalls have their own rules
ADA stalls are the one place where federal law sets the size. Under the 2010 ADA Standards, a car accessible stall is at least 8 feet wide with a 5-foot access aisle. A van stall is 11 feet wide with a 5-foot aisle, or 8 feet wide with an 8-foot aisle. At least 1 of every 6 accessible stalls must be van accessible.
One heads-up: the City brochure still says one van stall for every eight accessible stalls. The current federal standard is one in six, so plan for one in six. Our ADA compliance service and our handicap parking layout guide cover counts, signs, and slope.
How to check the stalls on your own lot
A tape measure is enough for a rough check:
- Count what you have now. Count standard stalls, handicap stalls, and van stalls in each row.
- Measure stall width. Measure from the center of one line to the center of the next. Lines are a few inches wide, so measuring inside edge to inside edge reads short. Ask whoever draws your plan which way they measure.
- Measure stall depth. Measure from the curb or wheel stop to the end of the stall line, and note the parking angle.
- Measure the drive aisle. Measure from the end of the stall lines on one side to the end on the other side.
- Compare with the City table. Find your angle and stall width in the table above and see if your depth and aisle match.
- Look for things that steal stalls. Light pole bases, drains, dumpster paths, and cart corrals often sit inside a stall on older layouts.
- Decide: same layout or new layout. If the layout works, a straight restripe over the old lines is the simple fix. If it does not, plan a new layout before anyone paints.
Before you change your layout: checklist
- Stall width is at least 8.5 feet (7.5 feet only for stalls marked compact cars only)
- Stall depth and aisle width match the City table for your angle
- Handicap stall count and van stall count meet the 2010 ADA Standards
- Access aisles are hatched and run the full length of the stall
- No stall forces a driver to back into the street or over a public sidewalk
- Arrows match the traffic flow for angled rows
- Wheel stops or curbs are in place
- Old lines that will not be reused are planned for removal or cover-up so drivers are not confused
- You have checked with the City if you are also replacing or resurfacing the lot (the brochure says a plan review and permit are required before replacing parking lot surfaces)
Why a restripe is the right time to fix dimensions
Some older lots were laid out years ago, and each restripe since has simply traced the old lines. When the lines are being repainted anyway, that is the easiest moment to widen stalls, fix a cramped aisle, or add a van stall.
Our parking lot striping service handles new layouts from site measurement and stall count planning to angled and straight-in rows. If your current layout already works, our parking lot restriping service follows your existing grid with fresh traffic paint. You can also see our Sioux Falls parking lot striping page for local details.
Timing matters too. We only apply striping paint when the pavement surface is above 50 degrees, so in Sioux Falls November is a good month to measure and plan, and spring is when the new lines go down. Our temperature guide explains why.
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard parking space size in Sioux Falls?
The City's table uses 19 feet deep for straight-in (90-degree) stalls, with a minimum width of 8.5 feet. A 9-foot-wide stall is a common choice. Compact-only stalls can be 7.5 feet wide and 16 feet deep.
How wide should a drive aisle be for 90-degree parking?
From the City's table, it depends on stall width: 26 feet for 8.5-foot stalls, 24 feet for 9-foot stalls, 23 feet for 9.5-foot stalls, and 22 feet for 10-foot stalls. The City Engineering Department approves final layouts.
Can I make stalls narrower when I restripe to fit more cars?
Only down to the City's 8.5-foot minimum for standard stalls, and narrower stalls need a wider aisle. Tight stalls also lead to door dings and crooked parking. Check your plan against the City table before painting.
How big is a handicap parking space?
Under the 2010 ADA Standards, a car stall is at least 8 feet wide with a 5-foot access aisle. A van stall is 11 feet wide with a 5-foot aisle, or 8 feet wide with an 8-foot aisle. One in six accessible stalls must be van accessible.
When is the best time to restripe to a new layout in Sioux Falls?
Plan and measure in the off-season, then stripe once the pavement surface stays above 50 degrees, usually late spring through early fall. Paint applied colder than that may not bond well.
Get your Sioux Falls layout checked
Not sure your stalls, aisles, or handicap spaces measure up? Gold Line Striping can walk your lot, check it against the City table and ADA rules, and give you a free on-site quote for most jobs. Call or text (605) 680-5376 or request a quote online.