(A) Definitions. For the purpose of this section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
HANDICAPPED PERSON. Any person who has lost the use of both legs or one or both arms, who is blind, deaf or so severely handicapped as to be unable to move about without the aid of crutches or a wheelchair, or whose mobility is restricted by a permanent cardiovascular, pulmonary or other handicapping condition.
LICENSE PLATE OR PARKING CARD FOR HANDICAPPED PERSONS. A plate or card issued pursuant to state law or a substantially equivalent license or plate issued by a state, district, country or sovereignty with which the Ohio Director of Public Service has an active reciprocity agreement as authorized by state law.
(B) Public parking for handicapped persons.
(1) The Director of Public Safety or his or her designee is hereby authorized to designate on public property special parking places of suitable size and location for the exclusive use of handicapped persons and persons transporting handicapped persons.
(2) No person shall park in a clearly marked space reserved for handicapped persons under this division (B) without displaying a license plate or parking card for handicapped persons.
(C) Private parking for handicapped persons.
(1) Owners of private property shall designate on their property special parking places of suitable size and location for the exclusive use of handicapped persons and persons transporting handicapped persons when required to do so by this code of ordinances or by state law.
(2) No person shall park in a clearly marked space reserved for handicapped persons under this division (C) without displaying a license plate or parking card for handicapped persons.
(D) Posting of elevated sign. Each space designated under this section for handicapped parking shall be identified through the posting of an elevated sign, either permanently fixed or movable, imprinted with the international symbol of access and located reasonably close to exits, entrances, elevators and ramps. The distance from the ground to the top edge of the sign shall be five feet and the sign, or a sign affixed next to the designating sign, shall have wording that states the fine applicable for the offense of parking a motor vehicle in the special designated parking location if the motor vehicle is not legally entitled to be parked in that location pursuant to this section.
(E) Prohibited standing, stopping or parking. No person shall stop, stand or park any motor vehicle at special parking locations provided for handicapped persons under this section or at special parking locations provided for handicapped persons in or on privately-owned parking lots, parking garages or other parking areas and designated in accordance with this section, unless the motor vehicle is being operated by or for the transport of a handicapped person and is displaying a license plate or parking card issued to said handicapped person.
(F) Extension of lawful parking period. When a motor vehicle is being operated by or for the transport of a handicapped person and is displaying a license plate or parking card for handicapped persons, the motor vehicle shall be permitted to park for a period of two hours in excess of the legal parking period permitted by the municipality, except where a local ordinance or police rule provides otherwise or where the vehicle is parked in such a manner as to be clearly a traffic hazard.
(G) Marking of locations. No owner of an office, facility or parking garage shall fail to properly mark special parking locations for the handicapped as required by division (C)(1) above or fail to maintain the markings of the special locations, including the erection and maintenance of the fixed or movable signs.
(H) Removal of illegally parked motor vehicles. Any motor vehicle that is parked in violation of divisions (B)(2) or (C)(2) above may be towed or otherwise removed from the parking location by the Police Division.
(Ord. 270-1999, passed 12-13-1999)