Florida traffic-safety compliance

Set up a parking lot

Minimum accessible parking spaces (off-street lots). Off-street parking facilities must provide accessible spaces per the schedule in ADA 2010 Standards Section 208.2. A lot with 1 to 25 total spaces requires at least 1 accessible space; 26 to 50 spaces require 2; 51 to 75 require 3. At least one in every 6 accessible spaces (but not fewer than one) must be van-accessible.

Accessible parking space identification sign with ISA. Parking space identification signs shall include the International Symbol of Accessibility complying with 703.7.2.1.

Van accessible parking sign designation. Signs identifying van parking spaces shall contain the designation "van accessible."

Minimum sign mounting height (federal). Signs shall be 60 inches (1525 mm) minimum above the finish floor or ground surface measured to the bottom of the sign.

Minimum number of accessible parking spaces. Accessible spaces required per Table 208.2: 1 space for 1-25 total; 2 for 26-50; 3 for 51-75; 4 for 76-100; 5 for 101-150; 6 for 151-200; 7 for 201-300; 8 for 301-400; 9 for 401-500; 2 percent for 501-1000; 20 plus 1 for each 100 (or fraction) over 1000 for 1001 and over.

Van parking space ratio. For every six or fraction of six parking spaces required by 208.2 to comply with 502, at least one shall be a van parking space complying with 502.

Car and van parking space width (federal). Car parking spaces shall be 96 inches (2440 mm) wide minimum and van parking spaces shall be 132 inches (3350 mm) wide minimum; van spaces may be 96 inches minimum where the access aisle is 96 inches minimum.

Access aisle width (federal). Access aisles serving car and van parking spaces shall be 60 inches (1525 mm) wide minimum.

Access aisle length. Access aisles shall extend the full length of the parking spaces they serve.

Access aisle marking. Access aisles shall be marked so as to discourage parking in them.

Van parking vertical clearance. Parking spaces for vans and access aisles and vehicular routes serving them shall provide a vertical clearance of 98 inches (2490 mm) minimum.

Access aisle location for angled van spaces. Access aisles shall not overlap the vehicular way; angled van parking spaces shall have access aisles located on the passenger side of the parking spaces.

Location on shortest accessible route. Parking spaces complying with 502 that serve a particular building or facility shall be located on the shortest accessible route from parking to an entrance complying with 206.4.

Florida accessible parking sign requirements. Each space must be posted with a permanent above-grade sign of a color and design approved by the Department of Transportation, placed on or at least 60 inches above the finished floor or ground surface measured to the bottom of the sign, bearing the international symbol of accessibility meeting s. 703.7.2.1 of the standards and the caption "PARKING BY DISABLED PERMIT ONLY."

Florida sign penalty notice requirement. A sign erected after October 1, 1996, must indicate the penalty for illegal use of the space.

Florida blue paint outline and striping. Each parking space must be striped consistent with the standards of the controlling jurisdiction and prominently outlined with blue paint, and must be repainted when necessary, to be clearly distinguishable as a space designated for persons who have disabilities.

Florida accessible parking space width. Each parking space must be at least 12 feet wide.

Florida access aisle width and diagonal striping. Parking access aisles must be at least 5 feet wide, must be part of an accessible route to the building or facility entrance, and must be striped diagonally to designate it as a no-parking zone.

Florida minimum accessible route width. All spaces must be located on an accessible route that is at least 44 inches wide so that users are not compelled to walk or wheel behind parked vehicles except behind his or her own vehicle.

Florida no parking in access aisle. Parking is not allowed in an access aisle; a vehicle may not be parked in an access aisle even if the vehicle owner or passenger is disabled or owns a disabled parking permit, and violators are subject to the same penalties as illegal parking in designated spaces.

Florida number of accessible spaces. The number of accessible parking spaces must comply with the parking requirements in s. 208 of the standards, including one accessible space for each 150 metered on-street spaces provided by state agencies and political subdivisions, and increases based on demonstrated and documented need.

Florida exclusive use of designated accessible spaces. Designated accessible spaces shall be designed and marked for the exclusive use of individuals who have a severe physical disability with permanent or temporary mobility problems and who have been issued a disabled parking permit or qualifying license plate.

Close a lane (work zone)

Traffic control devices must conform to FDOT manual and specifications. All official traffic control signals or devices purchased and installed in the state by any public body or official shall conform with the manual and specifications published by the Department of Transportation.

Certification required prior to sale of traffic control devices. It is unlawful for any public body or official to purchase, or for anyone to sell, any traffic control signal or device unless it conforms with the FDOT manual and specifications and is certified to be of such conformance prior to sale.

Florida adopts MUTCD 11th Edition. The FHWA Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, 11th Edition (December 2023), is adopted and made part of the rules of the Department of Transportation.

Taper length "L" formula for work zones. Taper length L = (W x S^2) / 60 for work zone speed 40 mph or less; L = W x S for work zone speed 45 mph or more, where W = width of offset in feet and S = speed in mph.

Buffer length "B" minimums by work zone speed. Minimum buffer length: 25 mph->155 ft; 30->200; 35->250; 40->305; 45->360; 50->425; 55->495; 60->570; 65->645; 70->730. When B cannot be attained due to geometric constraints, use the greatest length possible but not less than 155 feet.

Work zone sign spacing "X" minimums by road type. Minimum work zone sign spacing: Limited Access Roadways 1,500 ft; Arterials and Collectors with work zone speed 45 mph or more 500 ft; Arterials and Collectors with work zone speed 40 mph or less 200 ft.

Channelizing device spacing for cones/tubular markers. Cones or Temporary Tubular Markers maximum spacing: 25 ft on tapers and 50 ft on tangents, for both work zone speed 45 mph or less and 50 mph or more.

Channelizing device spacing for barricades/panels/drums. Type I/II Barricades, Vertical Panels, or Drums maximum spacing: speed 45 mph or less - Taper 25 ft, Tangent 50 ft; speed 50 mph or more - Taper 50 ft, Tangent 100 ft.

Temporary traffic control devices must be on APL. All temporary traffic control devices shall be ON the Department's Approved Products List (APL), with the appropriate APL number permanently marked on the device in a readily visible location.

Removal of temporary traffic control devices when not needed. All temporary traffic control devices shall be removed as soon as practical when no longer needed; when work is suspended for short periods, devices no longer appropriate shall be removed or covered. Do not store devices on the shoulder, sidewalk, or other roadway facility not affected by the work when work is suspended.

Cones limited to active work zones with workers present. Cones shall be used only in active work zones where workers are present.

Cones must be reflectorized for nighttime use. Cones shall be reflectorized as per the MUTCD with Department-approved reflective collars when used at night.

Channelizing device retroreflective sheeting standard. Furnish channelizing devices having retroreflective sheeting meeting the requirements of Section 990.

No sheeting splicing on channelizing devices. The splicing of sheeting is not permitted on channelizing devices or MOT signs.

Ballast placement limits on channelizing devices. Ballast shall not be placed on top rails or any striped rails or higher than 13 inches above the driving surface.

Delineation of trailer mounted devices. Arrow Boards, Portable Changeable Message Signs, Radar Speed Display Trailer, Portable Regulatory Signs, and any other trailer mounted device shall be delineated with a channelizing device placed at each corner when in use and shall be moved outside the travel way and clear zone or be shielded by a barrier or crash cushion when not in use.

Minimum work zone travel lane widths. Provide minimum work zone travel lane widths: 11' for Interstate with at least one 12' lane provided in each direction (unless formally excepted by FHWA); 11' for all other limited access roadways; and 10' for all other facilities.

Maximum length of lane closures on high-speed highways. For interstates and state highways with a posted speed of 55 MPH or greater, lane closures must not exceed 3 miles (includes taper, buffer, and work zone) in any given direction and must not close two consecutive interchanges.

Road closures on State Highway System must comply with statute. Except for emergencies, any road closure on the State Highway System must comply with Section 335.15, F.S.

High-visibility safety apparel for workers. All workers within the right-of-way shall wear ANSI/ISEA Class 2 apparel; Class 3 may be substituted for Class 2. Replace apparel that is not visible at 1,000 feet.

High-visibility safety apparel for flaggers. For daytime activities, Flaggers shall wear ANSI/ISEA Class 2 apparel; for nighttime activities, Flaggers shall wear ANSI/ISEA Class 3 apparel.

Advance warning signs at extended distance. Advance Warning Signs shall be used at extended distance of one-half mile or more when limited sight distance or the nature of the obstruction may require a motorist to bring their vehicle to a stop.

Speed reduction in 10 MPH increments. For speed reductions greater than 10 MPH, reduce the speed in 10 MPH increments of 'X' distance. Do not reduce the speed below the minimum statutory speed for the class of facility.

Interval spacing for additional Speed Limit signs. Place additional "Speed Limit" signs (R2-1) at intervals of no more than one mile for rural conditions and 1,000 feet for urban conditions.

Type III Barricade unit length. The Type III Barricade shall have a unit length of 6'-0" only. When barricades of greater lengths are required, those lengths shall be in multiples of the 6'-0" unit.

Run a valet operation

Valet Parking Passenger Loading Zone Required. Parking facilities that provide valet parking services shall provide at least one passenger loading zone complying with Section 503.

Passenger Loading Zones General Compliance. Where provided, passenger loading zones shall comply with Section 209.2; at least one passenger loading zone complying with 503 in every continuous 100 linear feet (30 m) of loading zone space, or fraction thereof.

Vehicle Pull-Up Space Dimensions. Passenger loading zones shall provide a vehicular pull-up space 96 inches (2440 mm) wide minimum and 20 feet (6100 mm) long minimum.

Access Aisle Adjacent to Pull-Up Space. Passenger loading zones shall provide access aisles adjacent to the vehicle pull-up space. Access aisles shall adjoin an accessible route and shall not overlap the vehicular way.

Access Aisle Minimum Width. Access aisles serving vehicle pull-up spaces shall be 60 inches (1525 mm) wide minimum.

Access Aisle Length. Access aisles shall extend the full length of the vehicle pull-up spaces they serve.

Access Aisle Marking. Access aisles shall be marked so as to discourage parking in them.

Floor and Ground Surfaces / Level. Vehicle pull-up spaces and access aisles serving them shall comply with 302. Access aisles shall be at the same level as the vehicle pull-up space they serve. Changes in level are not permitted, except slopes not steeper than 1:48 shall be permitted.

Vertical Clearance for Loading Zone and Route. Vehicle pull-up spaces, access aisles serving them, and a vehicular route from an entrance to the passenger loading zone, and from the passenger loading zone to a vehicular exit shall provide a vertical clearance of 114 inches (2895 mm) minimum.

Mechanical Access Parking Garages Loading Zone. Mechanical access parking garages shall provide at least one passenger loading zone complying with 503 at vehicle drop-off and vehicle pick-up areas.

Post no-parking & tow-away zones

Tow-away notice placement at driveway access or curb cut. The notice must be prominently placed at each driveway access or curb cut allowing vehicular access to the property within 10 feet from the road; if there are no curbs or access barriers, signs must be posted not fewer than one sign for each 25 feet of lot frontage.

Tow-away sign lettering and wording. The notice must clearly indicate, in not fewer than 2-inch high, light-reflective letters on a contrasting background, that unauthorized vehicles will be towed away at the owner's expense. The words "tow-away zone" must be included on the sign in not fewer than 4-inch high letters.

Tow-away sign must include towing company name and telephone number. The notice must also provide the name and current telephone number of the person or firm towing or removing the vehicles or vessels.

Tow-away sign structure mounting height and maintenance duration. The sign structure containing the required notices must be permanently installed with the words "tow-away zone" not fewer than 3 feet and not more than 6 feet above ground level and must be continuously maintained on the property for not fewer than 24 hours before the towing or removal of any vehicles or vessels.

Local government permitting and inspection of tow-away signs. The local government may require permitting and inspection of these signs before any towing or removal of vehicles or vessels being authorized.

Small business (20 or fewer spaces) reserved parking sign option. A business with 20 or fewer parking spaces satisfies the notice requirements by prominently displaying a sign stating "Reserved Parking for Customers Only Unauthorized Vehicles or Vessels Will be Towed Away At the Owner's Expense" in not fewer than 4-inch high, light-reflective letters on a contrasting background.

Vessel tow-away notice requirements. A property owner towing or removing vessels from real property must post notice, consistent with the requirements in sub-subparagraphs a.-f. which apply to vehicles, that unauthorized vehicles or vessels will be towed away at the owner's expense.

Tow-away notice requirements are minimum standards. These requirements are minimum standards and do not preclude enactment of additional regulations by any municipality or county including the right to regulate rates when vehicles or vessels are towed from private property.

Closed storage site must post reachable telephone number. When closed, the storage site shall have prominently posted a sign indicating a telephone number where the operator of the site can be reached at all times.

No parking where official signs/devices prohibit. No person shall stop, stand, or park a vehicle at any place where official traffic control devices prohibit stopping; and no person shall park a vehicle at any place where official signs prohibit parking, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic, in compliance with law, or the directions of a police officer or official traffic control device.

No parking near fire station (when properly signposted). No person shall stand or park a vehicle within 20 feet of the driveway entrance to any fire station and on the side of a street opposite the entrance to any fire station within 75 feet of such entrance (when property signposted).

Safety zone no-parking distance unless signed otherwise. No person shall stop, stand, or park a vehicle between a safety zone and the adjacent curb or within 30 feet of points on the curb immediately opposite the ends of a safety zone, unless the Department of Transportation indicates a different length by signs or markings.

No parking within 50 feet of railroad crossing unless DOT sets different distance. No person shall park a vehicle within 50 feet of the nearest rail of a railroad crossing unless the Department of Transportation establishes a different distance due to unusual circumstances.

Local authority power to regulate or prohibit parking. Local authorities, with respect to streets and highways under their jurisdiction, may regulate or prohibit stopping, standing, or parking, and may regulate traffic by means of official traffic control devices.

DOT written approval required for traffic control devices on state roads. No local authority shall erect or maintain any official traffic control device at any location so as to regulate the traffic on any state road unless approval in writing has first been obtained from the Department of Transportation.

Traffic control devices must conform to DOT uniform system/manual. All official traffic control signals or official traffic control devices purchased and installed in this state by any public body or official shall conform with the manual and specifications published by the Department of Transportation.

Sale of nonconforming traffic control devices unlawful without certification. It shall be unlawful for any public body or official to purchase, or for anyone to sell, any traffic control signal or device unless it conforms with the manual and specifications published by the Department of Transportation and is certified to be of such conformance prior to sale.

Florida adopts MUTCD 11th Edition as uniform traffic control device standard. The Federal Highway Administration Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, 11th Edition (December 2023) is adopted by rule and made a part of the rules of the Department of Transportation.

Close a road & set a detour

State traffic control devices must conform to DOT manual. The Department of Transportation shall have all original jurisdiction over all state roads and may place and maintain traffic control devices which conform to its manual and specifications on such highways as necessary to regulate, warn, or guide traffic.

Municipal traffic control devices must conform to DOT manual and specifications. Chartered municipalities have original jurisdiction over streets and highways within their boundaries (except state roads) and may place and maintain traffic control devices which conform to the manual and specifications of the Department of Transportation to regulate, warn, or guide traffic.

County traffic control devices must conform to DOT manual and specifications. Counties have original jurisdiction over streets and highways within their boundaries (except state roads and municipal streets) and may place and maintain traffic control devices which conform to the manual and specifications of the Department of Transportation to regulate, warn, or guide traffic.

Prohibition on willful obstruction of public roads. A person may not willfully obstruct the free, convenient, and normal use of a public street, highway, or road by impeding traffic, standing/remaining in the road, or endangering safe movement of vehicles or pedestrians.

Special event permit exception to obstruction prohibition. The obstruction prohibition does not prohibit a local governmental entity from issuing a special event permit as authorized by law.

Local authority power to restrict use of streets. Local authorities, with respect to streets and highways under their jurisdiction and within reasonable exercise of the police power, may restrict the use of streets.

Local authority power to adopt temporary or emergency regulations. Local authorities may adopt and enforce such temporary or experimental regulations as may be necessary to cover emergencies or special conditions.

DOT written approval required for local traffic control devices on state roads. No local authority shall erect or maintain any official traffic control device at any location so as to regulate traffic on any state road unless approval in writing has first been obtained from the Department of Transportation.

Florida adopts MUTCD 11th Edition (December 2023). The FHWA Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, 11th Edition (December 2023), is adopted by rule and made a part of the rules of the Department of Transportation.

Set up a school zone

Uniform traffic control device system for school zones. The Department of Transportation shall adopt a uniform system of traffic control devices and pedestrian control devices for use on streets and highways surrounding all schools, public and private.

Installation and maintenance in conformity with uniform system. The Department of Transportation and each county and municipality shall install and maintain traffic and pedestrian control devices in conformity with the uniform system.

School zone speed limit range. A school zone speed limit may not be less than 15 mph except by local regulation, and may not be more than 20 mph in an urbanized area.

School zone speed limit enforcement time window. The restrictive speed limit may be in force only during those times 30 minutes before, during, and 30 minutes after the periods when pupils are arriving at or leaving a regularly scheduled breakfast program or school session.

Permanent school zone signs uniformity and time designation. Permanent signs designating school zones and school zone speed limits shall be uniform in size and color, and shall have the times during which the restrictive speed limit is enforced clearly designated thereon. Flashing beacons (time-clock, automatic, or manually activated) may be used as an alternative to posting the enforcement times.

"Speeding Fines Doubled" sign requirement. Beginning July 1, 2008, for any newly established school zone or any school zone in which the signing has been replaced, a sign stating "Speeding Fines Doubled" shall be installed within the school zone.

DOT to establish sign and flashing beacon standards (permanent). The Department of Transportation shall establish adequate standards for the permanent school zone signs and flashing beacons.

Portable school zone signs uniformity. Portable signs designating school zones and school zone speed limits shall be uniform in size and color.

Portable school zone signs deployment hours. Portable school zone signs shall be erected on the roadway only during those hours when pupils are arriving at and leaving regularly scheduled school sessions.

DOT to establish standards for portable signs. The Department of Transportation shall establish adequate standards for the portable school zone signs.

Retroreflective materials on school safety patrol devices used at night. All flags, belts, apparel, and devices issued to school safety patrols or persons directing traffic near schools, when used during periods of darkness, shall be made at least in part with retroreflective materials so as to be visible at night at 300 feet to approaching motorists under lawful low-beam headlights.

School zone speeding cited as moving violation. A person may not drive on a roadway designated as a school zone at a speed greater than that posted; violation must be cited as a moving violation, punishable under chapter 318.

School crossing guard training requirement. The Department of Transportation shall adopt uniform guidelines for training of school crossing guards, and each local governmental entity administering a program shall provide training according to those guidelines; successful completion is required of each guard except for the listed exceptions.

Adoption of MUTCD 11th Edition in Florida. The FHWA Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, 11th Edition (December 2023), is adopted by rule and made part of the rules of the Department of Transportation.

Scenarios in Florida