(A) Stopping, standing, or parking prohibited. Except as is permitted by this section, no person shall stop, stand, or park a vehicle at anytime designated as herein provided parking for handicapped persons.
(B) Definition. For the purpose of this section, the term HANDICAPPED PERSON shall mean and include every natural person who has permanently lost the use of a leg or both legs or an arm or both arms or any combination thereof; is so severely disabled as to be unable to move without the aid of crutches or a wheelchair; because of old age, physical incapacity, or imperfection or deterioration is unable to move or walk without great discomfort; or a physician duly licensed in the state to practice medicine or surgery in all of its branches has otherwise determined such person would benefit from being classified as a handicapped person under the provision of this section to relieve conditions resulting from old age, physical incapacity, or imperfection or deterioration.
(C) Designation of vehicles. A vehicle shall be designated as being operated by or for a handicapped person if either of the conditions of division (C)(1) or (C)(2) below are complied with.
(1) State Vehicle Code. A vehicle shall be designated as being operated by or for a handicapped person if such vehicle bears registration plates specified in § 11-1301-1 (pertaining to handicapped persons parking exemptions), § 3-609 (pertaining to disabled veterans), § 3-616 (pertaining to disabled veterans), § 3-616 (pertaining to physically handicapped persons), or comparable provisions of the State Vehicle Code, being 625 ILCS 5/11-501.1 et seq.
(2) City designation. A vehicle shall be designated as being operated by or for a handicapped person if such vehicle bears a handicapped person sticker issued by the city as provided herein.
(D) City sticker. Any person who is a handicapped person may apply to the City Clerk for a handicapped person sticker. Such application must be accompanied by a written statement from a physician duly licensed in the state to practice medicine and surgery in all its branches to the effect that such person is a handicapped person, as defined in division (B) above. The application, upon receipt, shall be reviewed by the Chief of Police or his or her designate to determine whether such handicapped person is disqualified from obtaining driver’s license pursuant to the provisions of the State Vehicle Code.
(1) In the event the City Clerk determines the application is in proper order and the Chief of Police or his or her designate determines that such handicapped person is not disqualified from obtaining a driver’s license pursuant to the provisions of the State Vehicle Code, the City Clerk shall issue a handicapped person sticker to such person relative to a vehicle owned by such person. Such handicapped person sticker shall be displayed in the lower right side of the rear window of the vehicle of the handicapped person.
(2) The City Clerk may issue a handicapped person sticker hereunder to a non-handicapped person if a member of that person’s immediate family is a handicapped person, as defined in division (B) above, and does not possess a vehicle registered in the name of the handicapped person under the provisions of the State Vehicle Code. Such non-handicapped person must further provide evidence that the handicapped person relies frequently on the applicant for transportation in the vehicle to be registered. Only one vehicle per family member may be registered under this division (D)(2).
(3) All handicapped person stickers shall expire on the April 30 following issuance. Handicapped person stickers may be renewed by the person whom issued by submitting a statement to the City Clerk that the circumstances allowing issuance have not materially changed. A new application need not be filed.
(4) No fee shall be charged for any handicapped person sticker.
(E) Designation of parking for handicapped person. A parking space shall be designated as being for handicapped person if the conditions of this division (E) are complied with:
(1) General parking for handicapped persons. The City Council may from time to time designate parking spaces as being parking spaces for handicapped person parking only. Such parking spaces designated as herein provided shall be on property under the control and jurisdiction of the city including, but not limited to, streets, alleys, and parking lots. All of such parking spaces shall be referred to as general handicapped person parking spaces.
(2) Other general parking for handicapped persons. The owner or owners of real property which is regularly used by the public for purposes of vehicular travel by permission of the owner or owners may, from time to time, designate specific parking spaces on such real property as being parking spaces for handicapped person parking only. All such parking spaces shall also be referred to as general handicapped person parking spaces.
(3) Restricted parking for handicapped persons. Restricted parking for handicapped persons may from time to time be established as herein provided. All such restricted parking shall be restricted to or for the use of the specific handicapped person or persons designated when established.
(a) Any person who owns or operates a vehicle designated, pursuant to the provisions of division (B) above, may apply for a parking space restricted to parking for or by a designated handicapped person or persons only. Such application shall be filed with the City Clerk and may be filed in conjunction with an application for a handicapped person sticker, as provided by division (D) above. The application, upon receipt, shall be reviewed by the Chief of Police or his or her designate to determine whether the designation of a restricted parking space would adversely affect traffic conditions in the city or be contrary to the traffic laws of the city or the state.
(b) In the event the City Clerk determines the application is in proper form and the Chief of Police or his or her designate determines that a restricted parking space would not adversely affect traffic conditions in the city or would not be contrary to the traffic laws of the city or the state, a restricted parking space shall be established. All such parking spaces shall be referred to as a RESTRICTED HANDICAPPED PERSON PARKING SPACE.
(c) All restricted parking spaces established hereunder shall be limited to spaces immediately in front of and adjacent to real property owned or occupied by the handicapped person or persons.
(d) The City Clerk shall promptly notify the Public Works Director of any restricted parking spaces established. The Public Works Director shall place an appropriate sign at such location noting that such space is parking for or by a designated handicapped person or persons only.
(e) A one-time fee of $35 shall be charged for the placement of a restricted parking sign as provided herein.
(f) Any restricted parking spaces established hereunder shall terminate automatically when the appropriate person’s vehicle is no longer designated, as provided in division (C) above.
(F) Signs. Insofar as is practical, signs utilized hereunder shall conform with the most recent edition of a National Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways. Restricted handicapped person parking signs, however, simply include the words “Restricted Parking by Permit Only,” without further designation.
(G) Handicapped person parking privileges.
(1) General. A person may stop, stand, or park a vehicle at any place designated as a general handicapped person parking place; provided, such vehicle bears valid registration plates or a handicapped person sticker, as provided for in division (D) above. Parking even in such places shall be limited to three hours at one time. Such registration plates or stickers shall not entitle a person to stop, stand, or park a vehicle in a restricted handicapped person parking space for handicapped persons unless such space has been designated for that person.
(2) Restricted. A person may stop, stand, or park a vehicle at a place designated for that person as a restricted handicapped person parking space.
(Prior Code, Chapter 13, Article 5, § 6) (Ord. 11 (Series 1982-1983), passed - -) Penalty, see § 70.99