Parking spaces reserved for persons with physical disabilities. (FE)

Various requirements apply to reserved disabled parking spaces, including that they must be at least 12 feet wide, maintained in inclement weather, and posted with an official traffic sign (disabled parking sign). Each sign must include the "international symbol for barrier-free environments" (wheelchair symbol) and a statement to inform the public that the parking space is reserved for vehicles used by persons with physical disabilities. DOT must promulgate rules governing the design, size, and installation of disabled parking signs.

Under this bill, if four or more disabled parking spaces are reserved under current law, at least 25 percent of these parking spaces must have an access aisle immediately adjacent to the parking space to provide entry to and exit from vehicles by persons with physical disabilities. The access aisle must be at least 96 inches wide and clearly marked. The disabled parking sign for a disabled parking space for which an access aisle is required must identify the space as "lift van accessible only."

However, these requirements apply only to parking areas initially constructed, reconstructed, resurfaced, or repainted after the effective date of the bill.

Current law also allows DOT and local authorities to post on highways or in parking facilities under their respective jurisdictions disabled parking signs prohibiting parking in disabled parking spaces.

Under this bill, the same access aisle requirements discussed above also apply with respect to disabled parking spaces reserved in parking facilities by DOT or local authorities.