(A) Applicability. This section shall apply to all new and existing nonresidential sites that have a parking area for 20 or more vehicles, including but not limited to, shopping centers, office buildings, commercial buildings, mercantile buildings, warehouses, storage buildings, manufacturing buildings, schools, and public buildings.
(B) Use. After establishment of specially marked parking spaces for handicapped persons, no person shall park a motor vehicle in such space unless a handicapped person is either a passenger or occupant of the vehicle and the vehicle contains a designation issued by the commissioner of motor vehicles for the state or some other governmental authority which designation shall be visible.
(C) Number of spaces to be provided.
(1) On each side having parking spaces for at least 20 but not more than 25 spaces, at least one space shall be specially designated and reserved for handicapped parking. Additional spaces for handicapped parking shall be in accordance with the following table.
Total parking on site | Required number of handicapped parking spaces |
Total parking on site | Required number of handicapped parking spaces |
26-50 | 2 |
51-75 | 3 |
76-100 | 4 |
101-150 | 5 |
151-200 | 6 |
201-300 | 7 |
301-400 | 8 |
401-500 | 9 |
501-1000 | 2% of total |
over 1000 | 20 plus 1 for each 100 over 1000 |
(2) Parking spaces for the handicapped shall be located as close as possible to elevators, ramps, walkways, and entrances, and so located that the handicapped person is not compelled to wheel or walk behind parked vehicles to reach entrances, ramps, walkways, and elevators.
(D) Parking spaces. Each such space designated for handicapped parking shall not be less than 15 feet in width, including a three feet cross hatch, unless the same would require the enlarging of existing parking spaces, in which event the existing parking space width shall be permitted. Each space shall be designated by above grade signs with white lettering against a blue background and shall bear the words "Handicapped Parking - State Permit Required". Such signs shall be erected, installed, and maintained by and at the expense of the owner, operator, lessee, or tenant of the site and shall further indicate that unauthorized use of the space shall subject the violator to a fine. If the signs and markings called for herein are not installed within 30 days after written request by the town police department, the town may proceed to install the same and impose the cost thereof against the owner of the site.
(E) Owner's responsibility. The registered owner of any vehicle parked in violation of this section shall be presumed to be the operator at the time of the violation.
(Ord. 191, passed 4-7-80) Penalty, see § 70.99(D)