Bollard Spacing for Commercial Properties: A Practical Guide

Get the spacing wrong and bollards either fail to stop a vehicle or block accessible passage. Here's how to space commercial bollards correctly for vehicle protection, pedestrian flow, and AODA accessibility across Ontario properties.

Why Bollard Spacing Matters

Spacing is the difference between a bollard line that works and one that is purely decorative. Too far apart and a vehicle can drive between units; too close together and you obstruct pedestrian movement, carts, and accessible passage. On commercial sites the spacing decision has to balance three competing goals at once: vehicle containment, pedestrian throughput, and AODA-compliant clear width.

The General Rule: 4 to 5 Feet On Centre

For most commercial vehicle-protection applications, bollards are spaced roughly 4 to 5 feet (1.2 to 1.5 m) on centre. This is close enough that the average passenger vehicle cannot pass between two units, while still allowing comfortable pedestrian and cart movement around the line. For storefront protection in front of glazing, tighter spacing toward the lower end of that range is common.

Where the only concern is delineation — marking a boundary rather than stopping a vehicle — wider spacing is acceptable. Where the concern is genuine impact protection of a high-value asset, never let the gap exceed the width of a vehicle.

Accessibility and the AODA Clear-Width Requirement

Ontario's accessibility obligations under the AODA and the related Design of Public Spaces standards expect accessible routes to maintain a clear, unobstructed width. When bollards flank an accessible entrance or pedestrian path, you must preserve the required clear passage between units so that a wheelchair or mobility device can pass through without obstruction.

This is where many DIY bollard layouts fail an inspection: the spacing stops vehicles but pinches the accessible route below the minimum clear width. The fix is to plan the pedestrian opening first, then space the remaining vehicle-protection bollards around it.

Spacing for Specific Commercial Scenarios

• Storefront glazing protection: tight spacing (around 4 ft) directly in front of the glass line, set far enough back to absorb impact before the vehicle reaches the building.
• Pedestrian walkway edges: wider delineation spacing is fine, but maintain the accessible clear width at any crossing.
• Drive-through and loading areas: protect equipment, meters and corners with embedded bollards spaced to block the vehicle approach angle.
• Cart corrals and pickup zones: spacing that guides pedestrians without trapping carts.

Setback, Height, and Foundation Still Matter

Spacing alone does not make a bollard effective. The setback from the protected asset gives the bollard room to do its job, the height has to be visible to a driver and tall enough to engage a bumper, and the foundation has to anchor the unit against the expected impact force. A perfectly spaced line of shallow surface-mounted bollards still will not stop a vehicle.

Getting the Layout Right the First Time

For Waterloo Region commercial properties, we lay out bollard lines on site, accounting for the vehicle approach angles, the accessible route, and the asset being protected, before any concrete is cut. That avoids the expensive mistake of installing a line that either fails to protect or fails accessibility. Learn more about our bollard installation service.

Devon Moore, Operations Lead Co-Founder & Operations Lead — D&D Commercial Services

Devon Moore is the co-founder and Operations Lead at D&D Commercial Services, delivering professional commercial property maintenance across Waterloo Region.