Effective 28 Aug 2011

301.143. Parking space for physically disabled may be established by political subdivisions and others — signs, violations, enforcement, penalty — handicap and handicapped prohibited on signage, when. — 1. As used in this section, the term "vehicle" shall have the same meaning given it in section 301.010, and the term "physically disabled" shall have the same meaning given it in section 301.142.

2. Political subdivisions of the state may by ordinance or resolution designate parking spaces for the exclusive use of vehicles which display a distinguishing license plate or card issued pursuant to section 301.071 or 301.142. Owners of private property used for public parking shall also designate parking spaces for the exclusive use of vehicles which display a distinguishing license plate or card issued pursuant to section 301.071 or 301.142. Whenever a political subdivision or owner of private property so designates a parking space, the space shall be indicated by a sign upon which shall be inscribed the international symbol of accessibility and may also include any appropriate wording such as "Accessible Parking" to indicate that the space is reserved for the exclusive use of vehicles which display a distinguishing license plate or card. The sign described in this subsection shall also state, or an additional sign shall be posted below or adjacent to the sign stating, the following: "$50 to $300 fine.". Beginning August 28, 2011, when any political subdivision or owner of private property restripes a parking lot or constructs a new parking lot, one in every four accessible spaces, but not less than one, shall be served by an access aisle a minimum of ninety-six inches wide and shall be designated "lift van accessible only" with signs that meet the requirements of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, and any rules or regulations established pursuant thereto.

3. Any political subdivision, by ordinance or resolution, and any person or corporation in lawful possession of a public off-street parking facility or any other owner of private property may designate reserved parking spaces for the exclusive use of vehicles which display a distinguishing license plate or card issued pursuant to section 301.071 or 301.142 as close as possible to the nearest accessible entrance. Such designation shall be made by posting immediately adjacent to, and visible from, each space, a sign upon which is inscribed the international symbol of accessibility, and may also include any appropriate wording to indicate that the space is reserved for the exclusive use of vehicles which display a distinguishing license plate or card.

4. The local police or sheriff's department may cause the removal of any vehicle not displaying a distinguishing license plate or card on which is inscribed the international symbol of accessibility and the word "disabled" issued pursuant to section 301.142 or a "disabled veteran" license plate issued pursuant to section 301.071 or a distinguishing license plate or card issued by any other state from a space designated for physically disabled persons if there is posted immediately adjacent to, and readily visible from, such space a sign on which is inscribed the international symbol of accessibility and may include any appropriate wording to indicate that the space is reserved for the exclusive use of vehicles which display a distinguishing license plate or card. Any person who parks in a space reserved for physically disabled persons and is not displaying distinguishing license plates or a card is guilty of an infraction and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine of not less than fifty dollars nor more than three hundred dollars. Any vehicle which has been removed and which is not properly claimed within thirty days thereafter shall be considered to be an abandoned vehicle.

5. Spaces designated for use by vehicles displaying the distinguishing "disabled" license plate issued pursuant to section 301.142 or 301.071 shall meet the requirements of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, and any rules or regulations established pursuant thereto. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this section, on-street parking spaces designated by political subdivisions in residential areas for the exclusive use of vehicles displaying a distinguishing license plate or card issued pursuant to section 301.071 or 301.142 shall meet the requirements of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act pursuant to this subsection and any such space shall have clearly and visibly painted upon it the international symbol of accessibility and any curb adjacent to the space shall be clearly and visibly painted blue.

6. Any person who, without authorization, uses a distinguishing license plate or card issued pursuant to section 301.071 or 301.142 to park in a parking space reserved under authority of this section shall be guilty of a class B misdemeanor.

7. Law enforcement officials may enter upon private property open to public use to enforce the provisions of this section and section 301.142, including private property designated by the owner of such property for the exclusive use of vehicles which display a distinguishing license plate or card issued pursuant to section 301.071 or 301.142.

8. Nonconforming signs or spaces otherwise required pursuant to this section which are in use prior to August 28, 2011, shall not be in violation of this section during the useful life of such signs or spaces. Under no circumstances shall the useful life of the nonconforming signs or spaces be extended by means other than those means used to maintain any sign or space on the owner's property which is not used for vehicles displaying a disabled license plate.

9. Beginning August 28, 2011, all new signs erected under this section shall not contain the words "Handicap Parking" or "Handicapped Parking".

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(L. 1981 H.B. 511 § 8, A.L. 1986 H.B. 1062 & 929, A.L. 1997 H.B. 389, A.L. 1998 H.B. 1410, A.L. 2004 S.B. 1233, et al., A.L. 2011 H.B. 555)