AS/NZS 2890.1: Complete Guide to Carpark Standards | Line Marking Australia Blog

AS/NZS 2890.1: Complete Guide to Carpark Standards

A property developer in Box Hill submitted carpark plans for a new apartment complex. Council rejected them twice. The bay dimensions were 50mm too narrow under AS/NZS 2890.1:2021. Two months of redesign and resubmission delayed the entire project.

AS/NZS 2890.1 is the Australian and New Zealand Standard for off-street parking facilities. It governs everything from bay dimensions to line marking specifications. Whether you're designing a new carpark or maintaining an existing one, understanding this standard is essential.

What AS/NZS 2890.1 Covers

The standard provides requirements for off-street car parking facilities including design, layout, and construction. The current version is AS/NZS 2890.1:2021, which updated the 2004 edition.

Key Areas Covered:

• Parking bay dimensions and angles
• Aisle widths for different parking configurations
• Circulation roadway requirements
• Ramp grades and transitions
• Line marking and signage specifications
• Pedestrian facilities within carparks
• Lighting and safety requirements

Standard Parking Bay Dimensions

Bay dimensions depend on the user class. AS/NZS 2890.1 defines three user classes based on parking duration and frequency.

User Class 1 (Short-term, high turnover):

Shopping centres, medical centres, short-stay visitors. These users need wider bays because they park infrequently and need easier access.

• Bay width: 2.5m minimum
• Bay length: 5.4m for 90-degree parking

User Class 2 (Medium-term):

Office workers, students, regular visitors. These users park more frequently and can manage slightly narrower bays.

• Bay width: 2.4m minimum
• Bay length: 5.4m for 90-degree parking

User Class 3 (Long-term, regular users):

Residential, commuter parking, employee parking. Daily users familiar with the facility.

• Bay width: 2.3m minimum (2.4m where adjacent to obstruction)
• Bay length: 5.4m for 90-degree parking

Aisle Width Requirements

Aisle width depends on parking angle and whether traffic is one-way or two-way. Narrower aisles are permitted for angled parking because less turning space is required.

90-Degree Parking (User Class 2):

• One-way aisle: 5.8m minimum
• Two-way aisle: 6.2m minimum

60-Degree Parking:

• One-way aisle: 4.0m minimum

45-Degree Parking:

• One-way aisle: 3.5m minimum

Line Marking Specifications

AS/NZS 2890.1 specifies requirements for line marking including width, colour, and placement.

Line Width:

• Bay delineation lines: 75-100mm width
• Edge lines and lane lines: 75-100mm width
• Stop lines: 200-300mm width

Colours:

• White: Standard bay lines, directional arrows, text
• Yellow: No parking zones, loading zones, clearways
• Blue: Accessible parking bays (symbol and shared area)

2021 Updates and Changes

The 2021 revision introduced several important changes from the 2004 version that facility managers should be aware of.

Key Changes:

• Updated design vehicle dimensions (vehicles are larger than 2004)
• Revised user class definitions
• Enhanced pedestrian safety requirements
• New provisions for electric vehicle charging spaces
• Updated references to AS/NZS 2890.6 for accessible parking

Common Non-Compliance Issues

From our experience auditing carparks across Melbourne and Sydney, these are the most common compliance failures we encounter.

• Bays too narrow (especially end bays adjacent to walls)
• Insufficient aisle width for parking angle
• Missing or faded line markings
• Inadequate accessible parking provision
• Poor pedestrian path delineation
• Incorrect directional marking at intersections

Request an AS/NZS 2890.1 compliance assessment

Frequently Asked Questions

Is AS/NZS 2890.1 mandatory?

The standard itself is not law, but it's referenced by the National Construction Code and local planning schemes. Most councils require compliance for new developments and major renovations.

Do existing carparks need to comply with the 2021 version?

Generally, existing carparks are assessed against the standard applicable when they were built. However, major renovations or change of use may trigger upgrade requirements.

Where can I get a copy of AS/NZS 2890.1?

The standard is available for purchase from Standards Australia (standards.org.au). Many public libraries also provide access through SAI Global subscriptions.