Does the MUTCD apply to private parking lots, such as at shopping malls?
No. The Introduction of the 2009 MUTCD and the changes to the Code of Federal Regulations (23 CFR 655.603(a)) that were adopted on December 16, 2009, make it clear that the MUTCD does not apply to parking areas and driving aisles within parking areas, either privately or publicly owned. While MUTCD general principles and standard traffic control device designs should be used in parking areas, there are some MUTCD provisions that do not easily translate to conditions typically found in parking lots and parking garages. Consideration of making the MUTCD apply to parking areas may occur in the future after development of appropriate and feasible standards and guidance for the application of traffic control devices in parking areas.
