Davis Municipal Code Art. 22.11 Parking Permits for Persons with Impaired Mobility

Due to a confusion among members of the automobile driving public as to the purpose and limitations of the parking spaces which have been designated by the city for use by disabled persons only, the reserved status of these parking spaces is being grossly abused and thus the policy of the city in providing adequate parking for those of its citizens who have impaired mobility is failing in its essential purpose. The purpose of this article is to assure that those persons who have impaired mobility will have access to the larger specially designated parking spaces now in existence, while at the same time establishing a parking permit program that will reduce the parking problems.

(Ord. 873 § 1)

For the purposes of this article, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this section:

Certification of disability.

A written assurance by a medical doctor of the existence of a physical condition that impairs the mobility of the applicant, or certification may be given in person by the police chief to anyone who has an obvious mobility impairment.

Police chief.

The police chief of the police department or any employee of such department, designated by the police chief to carry out the duties of this article.

Reserved parking space.

Those parking spaces designated by the international symbol of accessibility and/or the words "Handicapped Only."

(Ord. 873 § 2)

A vehicle displaying a reserved parking space permit shall be entitled to park in any of the parking spaces designated by the international symbol of accessibility and/or the words "Handicapped Only." There shall be no time limit upon such parking. A vehicle displaying a reserved parking space permit shall be exempt from any time restrictions in any public parking space in the city.

(Ord. 873 § 3)

Crosshatch lines within a parking lot or parking facility are hereby designated for the loading and unloading of vehicles displaying special identification license plates or placards for disabled persons or disabled veterans. The parking or standing of a vehicle shall be prohibited within all crosshatched areas.

(Ord. 1813 § 1)

It shall be unlawful for any person, business, property owner, or tenant, or any representative or agent of any of the foregoing, who own, lease, or otherwise control private property required to be designated as parking and/or for loading or unloading of vehicles displaying special identification license plates or placards for disabled persons or disabled veterans to:

(a) Refuse to or fail to mark or maintain proper signage for said parking spaces and unloading areas; or

(b) To block or otherwise cause said parking spaces and/or loading or unloading areas to be inaccessible or unusable for vehicles displaying special identification license plates or placards for disabled persons or disabled veterans.

(Ord. 1902, 1997)

In addition to the distinguishing license plate or placard issued by the State Department of Motor Vehicles, permanent or temporary placards may be issued by the police chief to individuals meeting the following conditions:

(a) For a permanent reserved parking space permit:

(1) Anyone with an apparent physical disability which would substantially impair his or her mobility. Such physical disabilities shall include, but are not limited to, paralysis of one or both legs, amputation of one or both legs, any disorder of the nervous system which substantially affects motor coordination.

(2) Any person who has a nonapparent physical disability which impairs his or her mobility. Such disabilities shall include, but are not limited to, disorders of the respiratory system or heart disease.

(3) Any person who has received disabled persons license plates or a placard from the Department of Motor Vehicles pursuant to Section 2511.5 or 9105 of the Vehicle Code shall have the same privileges as those with a reserved parking space permit. Issuance of a permanent permit as a result of any of the disabilities under subsection (a)(2) shall be predicated upon the certification of the disability by a physician.

(b) For temporary reserved parking space permit issued to any person whose mobility is impaired temporarily: When a temporary permit is issued, an expiration date for the permit shall be designated. The expiration date shall be based on the estimated length of time that the holder of the permit requires such permit. A temporary permit may be renewed upon a showing of a continuing need therefor. Time limits for the initial permit and any renewal must be based upon a physician's certification.

Temporary permits may be issued to anyone qualified for temporary disabilities such as, but not limited to, one or more broken bones affecting mobility.

Handicapped nondrivers who are otherwise eligible may obtain permits for the automobile in which they are transported.

(Ord. 873 § 4)

A placard issued by the police chief shall be approximately six inches by twelve inches in size and displayed on the driver's side dashboard of a vehicle. The color shall be distinguishable from that issued by the State Department of Motor Vehicles.

(Ord. 873 § 5)

Permits are nontransferable. Any person using a permit that has been issued to someone else, any person using a permit who does not suffer from a physical disability, or any person parking in a reserved parking space without displaying a reserved permit shall be deemed guilty of an infraction and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punishable by a fine not exceeding the maximum prescribed by law.

(Ord. 873 § 6)