How Often Should a Parking Lot Be Restriped?

The Typical Schedule

Most parking lots in Southwest Washington need restriping every one to two years. Busy retail, medical and apartment lots often need it every year, while quiet office or church lots can sometimes go longer.

Any time a lot is sealcoated, it needs to be restriped, because the new sealcoat covers the old lines.

Signs It's Time

If you can say yes to any of these, it's time to restripe:

• Lines are hard to see on a cloudy or rainy day
• Stall lines are worn through in the main driving lanes
• Accessible parking symbols, access aisles or fire lane markings are faded
• Drivers park crooked or across two stalls
• Arrows and stop bars are hard to read
• The lot was recently sealcoated or repaired

What Wears Lines Out Faster

Several things shorten how long striping lasts:

• Heavy traffic, especially turning tires in drive lanes
• Snow plowing and frequent sweeping
• Our long, wet winters
• Dirt and oil on the surface

Thermoplastic markings last much longer than paint for crosswalks, stop bars and arrows that take the most wear.

Planning Ahead

Striping needs dry pavement, so most of it happens from spring through early fall. Schedules fill up quickly once the weather turns, so booking in winter or early spring gets you the dates you want.

If you manage several properties, a maintenance plan keeps every lot on a schedule, so restriping, crack sealing and sealcoating happen before problems show up.

See our maintenance plans for property managers and HOAs

Common Questions