ADA Requirements for Retail Stores: Checklist and Exemptions

Retail has always been about experience — welcoming customers, helping them find what they need, and making them feel valued along the way. Whether that happens in a physical storefront or through an online checkout, today’s shoppers expect convenience, comfort, and connection.

But for millions of people with disabilities, the retail experience often falls short.

More than just a legal checkbox, accessibility is essential to creating a space — in-person and online — where every customer can easily shop. For retailers, accessibility isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s required under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Title III of the ADA, specifically, prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in places of public accommodation, including retail stores, shopping centers, and even eCommerce platforms. It requires businesses to ensure equal access to goods, services, and the shopping experience as a whole. 

Below, you’ll learn what the ADA standards for retail stores are, how to meet them, and how doing so creates a better experience for all.

How to Make Your Retail Store ADA Compliant: A Practical Checklist

What exactly does ADA compliance look like in a retail setting? From parking lots and fitting rooms to online checkout and support options, every part of your store plays a role in making the shopping experience accessible. The checklist below covers the essential ADA requirements for retail spaces, so you can spot potential issues and ensure your space is accessible, compliant, and user-friendly.

Accessibility and Parking Lots

Retailers must provide accessible parking spaces that are clearly marked and as close as possible to their entrances. ADA guidelines require:

• At least 1 accessible space for every 25 total parking spaces

• Van-accessible spaces must be at least 11 feet wide with a 5-foot accessible aisle (or 8 feet wide with an 8-foot aisle)

• Signage displaying the International Symbol of Accessibility and marking van accessibility

• Stable, slip-resistant surface with no steep slopes or curbs blocking access

• Accessible parking spaces have a minimum width of 96 inches

Accessible Doors and Entrances

Customers with disabilities must be able to enter your store without any barriers. The ADA has created guidelines around accessible doors and entrances, which require:

• At least one accessible entrance should be available and usable during business hours

• Doorways must be at least 32 inches wide (clear width when the door is open 90 degrees)

• Thresholds cannot exceed ½ inch in height

• Manual doors should not require more than 5 pounds of force to open

• Automatic doors are recommended for easier access, especially in high-traffic areas

• Doors should be operable with one hand and avoid (where possible) the need for tight grasping. Door handles should be levers rather than knobs

Accessible Counters

Checkout and sales counters as well as customer service desks must be accessible to everyone, ensuring buyers can complete purchases or get help when needed. The ADA requires the following for service counters:

• At least one checkout or service counter must be no higher than 36 inches

• The counter must be at least 36 inches long (if providing a parallel approach) and more than 36” above the floor

• Provide clear floor space (30” x 48”) in front of the counter for mobility device access

• Consider adding signage (including Braille signage) indicating which counter is accessible

Accessibility Ramps

Stores that have stairs or level changes must provide accessibility ramps that meet the following:

• Slope no steeper than 1:12 (1 inch of rise for every 12 inches of length)

• Must be at least 36 inches wide

• Landings required at the top and bottom (minimum 60 inches long)

• Handrails are required if the rise is greater than 6 inches

• Ramps must have a non-slip surface

Accessibility Requirements of Stairs

If stairs are used, they must meet ADA design guidelines to ensure safety and usability. This includes:

• Uniform riser heights and trade depths

• Tactile stair markings (like detectable warning surfaces) at the top of stairways

• Handrails on both sides that are 34-38 inches high

• Handrails must extend at least 12 inches beyond the top and bottom of the stairs

Accessible Aisles

Store layout must accommodate customers using mobility aids or devices, such as wheelchair users or those using scooters. For aisles to be accessible, they must:

• Be at least 36 inches wide for a single wheelchair passage

• Have 60 inches of width in areas where customers need to turn or pass each other

• Avoid displays or signs that create obstructions

• Be free of clutter, boxes, or merchandise

Accessible Shelves

Product displays and shelves should be functional and usable by all customers. ADA guidelines for shelves require:

• Recommended reach range between 15 and 48 inches from the floor

• Clear floor space (30” x 48”) in front of displays

• Adequate product placement (e.g., avoid placing essential items too high or too low, especially without staff assistance)

• Adjustable shelves to accommodate shoppers as needed

Bathroom Accessibility

The ADA has specific requirements for accessible restrooms, meaning if your store has public restrooms, they must provide:

• At least one accessible stall with a 60-inch maneuvering space

• Grab bars are securely mounted beside and behind the accessible toilet stall

• Toilets should be 17-19 inches high from the floor to the seat

• Sink counters no higher than 34 inches, with knee clearance underneath

• Bottom edge of the mirror is no more than 40 inches from the floor

Accessible Changing Rooms

Retailers selling apparel must provide accessible fitting rooms that meet the following:

• At least one changing room must be ADA compliant

• Must provide 60 inches of turning space

• A bench at least 48 inches long and 20-24 inches deep, mounted securely

• The door must allow for 32 inches of clear width, with privacy maintained

• Provide coat hooks or shelves within a reachable range (15-48 inches)

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Accessibility and Your Retail Store Website

Each of the ADA requirements mentioned above makes your physical store more accessible to users with disabilities — and ensures you’re compliant with legal requirements. 

But here’s the catch: ADA Title III applies not only to physical storefronts but also to your online business, as the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has ruled the web to be a public place. Because of this, your digital storefront must meet digital accessibility standards. This means aligning your content with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA. This includes adding meeting ADA standards for accessible design, such as:

• Keyboard navigation: Ensuring users who rely on keyboard commands and shortcuts can navigate and interact with your content.

• Screen reader compatibility: Semantic HTML and ARIA labels so assistive technology tools, including screen readers, can interpret your content.  

• Alt text for images: Alt text, also called alternative text, for all meaningful images provides much-needed context for screen readers and users with visual impairments. 

• Color contrast: Ensure web elements have sufficient color contrast with background elements for good readability. WCAG recommends a ratio of 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text.                        

• Resizable text: Text should be scalable up to 200% without breaking layout or functionality.

• Error identification: Error messages should be easy to spot and fix with clear instructions for resolution.

• Accessible forms: Forms should be accessible to users with disabilities, particularly during the checkout process.

These are just some of the accessibility requirements your online retail store must follow to be ADA compliant. For a more complete list, check out our Comprehensive WCAG Checklist.

To show your business is committed to accessibility, you may want to consider including an accessibility statement on your site. Not only does this show your organization values accessibility, but it also lets users know:

• What accessibility features your site supports

• What guidelines (like WCAG 2.1) you follow

• How users can report accessibility issues or request assistance

It’s simple, but an accessibility statement is a powerful way to build trust and demonstrate accountability —  especially as accessibility becomes a growing concern for online shoppers.

ADA Exemptions

The ADA applies broadly to businesses open to the public — but there are a few exceptions. If your business is located in an older building, operates on a small scale, or has limited financial resources, you may be exempt from ADA compliance or have some flexibility under the law.

Here’s a closer look at organizations that may be exempt from following ADA guidelines:

Religious Entities, Historical Buildings, and Private Buildings

Some types of organizations are entirely exempt from Title III of the ADA. These include:

• Religious organizations and places of worship (including facilities run by religious groups, such as schools or daycare centers).

• Private clubs that are truly exclusive and not open to the public.

• Historic properties, where altering the structure to meet accessibility standards would threaten the building’s historical significance.

That said, if any of these entities open their facilities to the general public for events or services, they may still be expected to meet certain accessibility standards for those occasions.

Small Businesses and Undue Hardship

Retail businesses with limited resources or space may worry about the cost and feasibility of making their stores fully ADA compliant. Fortunately, the law takes this into account. 

The ADA allows for an “undue hardship” exemption, but it’s not automatic. To qualify, a business must show that providing a specific accommodation would be extremely difficult or expensive given its size, financial resources, or operational impact. 

More importantly, an undue hardship exemption doesn’t mean do nothing — it just means the business may not be required to take on clearly unreasonable measures. You’re still expected to make reasonable accommodations and modifications wherever possible.

“Readily Achievable” Standards of Accessibility for Existing Facilities

If your store is located in an older building that was constructed before the ADA went into effect (1992), you’re not automatically required to bring it up to full compliance. However, you’re still expected to remove barriers when it is “readily achievable” to do so. 

“Readily achievable” means the fix is easy to accomplish without major renovations or expenses. Examples include:

• Installing grab bars in restrooms

• Lowering high shelves or displays

• Adding a small ramp over a step

• Re-striping a parking space to create an accessible stall

• Replacing doorknobs with levers

Put simply, the expectation is to do what you can, when you can. In fact, the DOJ has encouraged business owners to take a phased approach to barrier removal, addressing the most critical issues first (like entrance access or restrooms) and budgeting for others over time.

A web browser with steps leading up to an open door. At the base of the stairs is a person in a wheelchair unable to enter.

Penalties for Title III Non-Compliance

As mentioned above, most retailers are required to follow ADA Title III — and falling short of those requirements can result in both legal and financial consequences.

From a legal perspective, individuals can file legal complaints if they encounter barriers to access, or by the DOJ. In most cases, it starts with a formal complaint or a lawsuit in federal court, seeking to require changes to your physical or digital space. This is where the real cost of inaccessibility comes into play, as legal expenses and settlements can quickly become expensive. The cost of a first ADA violation can be as high as $75,000 and reach up to $150,000 for subsequent violations. This is in addition to the time and resources needed to implement accessibility fixes. 

If you receive a complaint, it’s important to consult an ADA lawyer. They can help determine whether the issue qualifies for an exemption or whether it’s something you’ll need to fix. Businesses often choose to settle lawsuits rather than go to trial — often a high cost.

Here’s the bottom line: Ignoring complaints or delaying ADA compliance can lead to more than legal trouble; it can also hurt your brand reputation. By prioritizing accessibility, you show you value all customers — and protect your business in the process.

Making Accessibility Work for Your Store

ADA requirements can feel like a big ask, especially for small or independently owned retail shops. But accessibility isn’t just about compliance; it's about creating an environment where more people can shop, feel welcome, and come back for more.

While making your store more accessible does require some upfront effort, it pays off in numerous ways — from showing you care about every customer experience to lowering your legal risk. 

To help you build a more accessible online experience (and unlock all the benefits that come from it), there’s AudioEye. AudioEye simplifies your path to ADA compliance with our three-pronged approach to accessibility. By combining automation with human-assisted AI technology, AudioEye provides a cost-effective solution for achieving ADA compliance — one that saves you up to 90% compared to traditional fix-at-source approaches. AudioEye also offers the only genuine guarantee of ADA compliance in the industry, giving you peace of mind that your online storefront is legally protected.

Want to see how accessible your digital storefront is? AudioEye’s free Web Accessibility Checker scans your site in seconds and identifies more than 30 WCAG violations, giving you a clear starting point for fixing issues that put you at risk. 

Take the first step toward ADA compliance and scan your content now.

Want to see what more AudioEye can do? Schedule a demo.