A Guide to Bollard Spacing: Spacing, Placement, and Best Practices

FRANÇAIS | ESPAÑOL

Proper bollard spacing is critical for maximizing safety, ensuring accessibility, and maintaining effective vehicle access control. The key principle is maintaining a minimum of 3 feet between bollards for ADA compliance while keeping maximum spacing at 5 feet to prevent vehicle intrusion. This balance ensures pedestrians can move freely while maintaining security objectives.

What Is Bollard Spacing and Why It Matters

Bollard spacing refers to the strategic distance maintained between individual bollard posts to achieve specific safety and accessibility objectives. The spacing directly impacts pedestrian accessibility, vehicle access control, and regulatory compliance.

When bollards are spaced too close together, they can block wheelchair access and create barriers for people with mobility devices. Conversely, when bollards are spaced too far apart, vehicles can slip through the gaps, compromising the security perimeter.

The proper spacing also affects visual continuity and emergency access. Emergency vehicles must be able to navigate around bollard installations, and fire lanes require specific clearances that vary by local jurisdiction.

Typical Bollard Spacing

While every site is unique, there are widely accepted norms for how far apart bollards should be installed. Typical bollard spacing falls between three and five feet, a range that accommodates both accessibility standards and vehicle deterrence. Understanding these baseline measurements makes it easier to plan installations that are compliant, functional, and consistent across different environments.

How far apart should bollards be spaced?

Standard bollard spacing ranges from 3 to 5 feet between posts, measured from the outermost edge of each bollard. This range accommodates both accessibility requirements and vehicle prevention needs.

For most commercial applications, 4 to 5 feet spacing provides optimal balance between security and accessibility. However, specific applications may require adjustments within this range based on site conditions and threat assessment.

What is the minimum gap between bollards?

The minimum spacing between bollards is 3 feet (36 inches) to comply with Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. This measurement ensures adequate clearance for wheelchairs, mobility scooters, and other assistive devices.

In high-security applications where tighter spacing is desired, the 3-foot minimum must still be maintained to avoid accessibility violations. Some installations use removable bollards to provide temporary wider access when needed.

Spacing Requirements for Vehicle Access Prevention

When bollards are intended to stop vehicles, precision in spacing becomes even more important. The width between posts determines whether cars, trucks, or motorcycles can slip through unprotected. Setting crash-rated bollards too far apart can leave dangerous gaps, while closer spacing creates a reliable barrier against unauthorized vehicle entry. Following vehicle access prevention guidelines ensures installations serve their core purpose: protection.

How to space bollards to block vehicles

To effectively prevent vehicle access, bollards should never exceed 5 feet spacing between posts. This maximum distance prevents even compact vehicles from passing through the barrier.

For enhanced security in high-risk areas, spacing can be reduced to 3.5 to 4 feet while maintaining ADA compliance. The specific threat level and vehicle types in the area should inform these decisions.

What’s the recommended spacing to stop cars?

Spacing bollards 4 to 5 feet apart center-to-center effectively stops standard passenger vehicles while allowing pedestrian passage. This spacing accounts for the narrowest point of modern vehicles while providing adequate security coverage.

In areas where motorcycles or smaller vehicles pose a threat, spacing should be reduced to 3 to 4 feet maximum. Always measure from the outermost protrusion of each bollard, including any decorative covers or sleeves.

Common Standards: ADA and OSHA Explained

Bollard spacing isn’t just a design choice—it’s guided by recognized standards that safeguard accessibility, safety, and performance. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) sets minimum clearances for accessibility, while OSHA for workplace safety. Together, these standards help to inform effective bollard placement across commercial, industrial, and public spaces.

What is the ADA spacing for bollards?

The Americans with Disabilities Act requires minimum 36-inch (3-foot) clear width between bollards. This spacing must accommodate wheelchairs, which typically require 32 inches minimum passage width, with additional clearance for maneuvering.

ADA compliance also requires that bollards not obstruct accessible routes, parking spaces, or building entrances. When measuring spacing, include any decorative elements or protrusions that could reduce the effective clearance.

What are the OSHA spacing guidelines?

OSHA does not mandate specific bollard spacing but requires employers to provide safe working environments. However, OSHA-referenced standards recommend maximum 48-inch spacing for construction and industrial applications.

For construction sites, OSHA guidelines suggest spacing no more than 48 inches apart to maintain effective barriers while allowing worker passage. These recommendations align with MUTCD standards for temporary traffic control devices.

Installation Considerations: Walls, Doors, and Pathways

Spacing around walls, doors, and pathways adds another layer of complexity to bollard installation. Bollards must be close enough to protect building edges and entry points, yet positioned to avoid blocking access for pedestrians and vehicles. Placement near storefronts, curbs, and high-traffic entryways requires careful planning to balance safety, accessibility, and everyday usability.

Bollard distance from wall or storefront

Bollards protecting storefronts should be installed 3 to 5 feet from building entrances to provide adequate protection while maintaining pedestrian access. This distance prevents vehicles from reaching the building while allowing customers to approach safely.

For areas with parallel parking, bollards should be placed 1.5 feet from the curb back to allow car doors to open fully without obstruction. If no parking is permitted, bollards can be placed closer to the curb edge.

Adjusting bollard spacing near entrances

Entrance areas may require wider spacing of 4 to 6 feet to accommodate higher pedestrian volumes and shopping carts. However, security effectiveness must be balanced against this increased accessibility.

Consider using removable bollards near main entrances to provide flexibility for deliveries or emergency access while maintaining security during normal operations. These systems allow temporary removal when wider access is needed.

Bollard Placement in Parking Lots and Storefronts

Parking lots and storefronts are among the most common locations where bollards are installed, and spacing plays a central role in their effectiveness. In these areas, bollards help define lanes, protect pedestrians, and shield buildings from vehicle collisions. Proper placement ensures they guide traffic, safeguard property, and provide a welcoming environment for customers—all while maintaining regulatory compliance.

Parking lot bollard installation guide

Parking lot bollards should be spaced 4 to 5 feet apart for lane delineation and traffic control. For parking stall protection, install 2 bollards per space, spaced 4.5 to 5 feet apart and centered within the stall width.

In parking lot crosswalks, maintain 3 to 5 feet spacing to allow pedestrian passage while preventing vehicle entry. Higher traffic areas may require closer spacing for enhanced visibility and protection.

Spacing guidelines for retail storefronts

Storefront protection requires 3 to 5 feet spacing with bollards positioned to create a continuous barrier without blocking customer access. Consider the speed and volume of adjacent traffic when determining exact spacing.

For shopping centers with cart traffic, spacing may extend to 5 to 6 feet in low-risk areas, but should not exceed the maximum vehicle prevention distance. Decorative bollards can provide visual appeal while maintaining security function.

Tips for Planning Effective Bollard Layouts

Best practices checklist:

• Measure spacing from outermost bollard edges, including covers
• Maintain 3-foot minimum for ADA compliance in all installations
• Never exceed 5-foot maximum for vehicle access prevention
• Consider local codes and emergency access requirements
• Account for sight lines and visibility at intersections
• Plan for utility locations and underground infrastructure

Mistakes to avoid:

• Blocking emergency vehicle access or fire lanes
• Installing bollards in the center of pedestrian walkways
• Ignoring local building codes and permit requirements
• Using inadequate foundation depth for the bollard type
• Failing to consider future maintenance access needs

Proper planning should include site surveys, traffic studies, and consultation with local authorities to ensure installations meet all safety, accessibility, and regulatory requirements.

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