§ 2-22-25. Parking in spaces designated for certain disabled persons.

(a)

Designated parking for disabled persons.

(1)

The county shall provide in all parking areas on property owned or controlled by the county specially designated and marked parking spaces for the exclusive use of certain disabled persons as required by Section 553.5041, F.S.

(2)

Each parking space specially designated and marked in accordance with this paragraph (a) shall conform to the requirements of Section 553.5041(4), F.S., as amended, and shall be prominently outlined with paint and posted with a permanent above-grade sign of a color and design approved by the Florida Department of Transportation, which is placed on or at least sixty (60) inches above the finished floor or ground surface measured to the bottom of the sign and which bears the international symbol of accessibility meeting the requirements of the applicable standards and the caption "PARKING BY DISABLED PERMIT ONLY." Any such sign erected after October 1, 1996, must indicate the penalty for illegal use of the space.

(3)

Any business, firm, or other person within the county doing business with the public may provide in any parking area owned or leased by it specially designated and marked parking spaces for the exclusive use of certain disabled persons who have been issued a parking permit or license plate pursuant to Sections 316.1958, 320.084, 320.0842, 320.0843, 320.0845 and 320.0848, F.S.

(b)

Prohibition.

(1)

It is unlawful for any person to stop, stand or park a motor vehicle within, or to obstruct, any specially designated and marked parking space as provided in paragraph (a), unless such motor vehicle displays a parking permit or license plate issued pursuant to Sections 316.1958, 320.084, 320.0842, 320.0843, 320.0845 and 320.0848, F.S., and the vehicle is transporting the person to whom the parking permit or license plate is issued. However, any person who is chauffeuring a disabled person shall be allowed, without the need for a disabled parking permit or license plate, to momentarily park in any such parking space, for the purpose of actively loading or unloading such disabled person. No penalty shall be imposed upon the driver for such momentary parking.

(2)

It is unlawful for any person to obstruct the path of travel to an accessible parking space, curb cut, or access aisle by stopping, standing or parking a motor vehicle within any such designated area. The parking access aisles are reserved for the temporary exclusive use of persons who have a disabled parking permit or license plate and who require extra space to deploy a mobility device, lift, or ramp in order to exit from or enter a motor vehicle. Parking is not allowed in an access aisle. Violators are subject to the same penalties that are imposed for illegally parking in parking spaces that are designated for persons who have disabilities. A motor vehicle may not be parked in an access aisle, even if the vehicle owner or passenger is disabled or owns a disabled parking permit or license plate.

(Ord. No. 18-10 , § 14, 6-12-18)