§ 71.028. HANDICAPPED PARKING SPACES PROVIDED BY CITY.

(A)

The City shall provide a minimum number of specially designed and marked motor vehicle parking spaces for the exclusive use of those severely physically disabled individuals who have permanent mobility problems that substantially impair their ability to ambulate and who have been issued an exemption entitlement parking permit pursuant to F.S. Sections 316.1958 or 320.0848.

(B)

The following minimum number of such parking spaces shall be provided:

(1)

One space in the immediate vicinity of any building which houses a governmental entity or the City government itself, including, but not limited to, State office buildings and courthouses, if no parking for the public is provided on the premises of such building.

(2)

One space for each 150 metered on-street parking spaces, and

(3)

For publicly maintained and operated parking facilities intended for public use and not subject to subsection (B)(1) above, the number of parking spaces for disabled persons as set forth in the following table:

Total Parking in Lot	Required Number of Accessible Spaces
Up to 25	1
26—50	2
51—75	3
76—100	4
101—150	5
151—200	6
201—300	7
301—400	8
401—500	9
501—1,000	2% of total
Over 1,000	20 plus 1 for each 100 over 1,000

 

(4)

However, when parking spaces are leased at such publicly maintained and operated parking facilities, the number of parking spaces for disabled persons shall be increased or decreased on demonstrated and documented need. A minimum of four (4) parking spaces for disabled persons shall be provided at a physical restoration rehabilitation center or a hospital.

(C)

Such parking spaces shall be designed and located as follows:

(1)

All spaces shall have accessible thereto a curb-ramp or curb-cut, when necessary to allow access to the building served, and shall be located so that users will not be compelled to wheel behind parked vehicles.

(2)

Diagonal or perpendicular parking spaces shall be a minimum of twelve (12) feet wide.

(3)

Parallel parking spaces shall be located either at the beginning or end of a block or adjacent to alley entrances. Curbs adjacent to such spaces shall be of a height which will not interfere with the opening and closing of motor vehicle doors.

(D)

Each such parking space shall be prominently outlined with paint and posted with a permanent above-grade sign of a color and design approved by the State Department of Transportation, bearing the international symbol of accessibility and the caption "PARKING BY DISABLED PERMIT ONLY."

(E)

It is unlawful for any person to stop, stand or park a vehicle within any such specially designated and marked parking space provided in accordance with this Section, unless such vehicle displays a parking permit issued pursuant to F.S. Sections 316.1958 or 320.0848, and such vehicle is transporting a person eligible for the parking permit. Whenever a law enforcement officer or a parking enforcement specialist finds a vehicle in violation of this Section that officer shall:

(1)

Have the vehicle in violation removed to any lawful parking space or facility or require the operator or other person in charge of the vehicle immediately to remove the unauthorized vehicle from the parking space. Whenever any vehicle is removed by a Law Enforcement Officer, parking enforcement specialist, or agency to a storage lot, garage, or other safe parking space, the cost of such removal and parking shall be a lien against the vehicle.

(2)

Charge the operator or other person in charge of the vehicle in violation with a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as provided in Section 71.999. However, any person who is chauffeuring a disabled person shall be allowed, without need for an identification parking permit, momentary parking in any such parking space for the purpose of loading or unloading such disabled person. No penalty shall be imposed upon the driver for such momentary parking.

(F.S. § 316.1955)

Cross reference

Penalty, § 71.999.