Any person or body that has lawful control of
a public or private way or of improved or enclosed property used as
off-street parking areas for businesses, shopping malls, theaters,
auditoriums, sporting or recreational facilities, cultural centers,
residential dwellings or for any other place where the public has
a right of access as invitees or licensees is required to reserve
parking spaces in said off-street parking areas for any vehicle owned
and operated by a disabled veteran or handicapped person whose vehicle
bears the distinguishing license plate or placard authorized by MGL
c. 90, § 2, or Chapter 632 of the Acts of 1985, as amended.
It shall be unlawful for any person or persons
to have unauthorized vehicles within parking spaces designated for
use by disabled veterans or handicapped persons as authorized by the
above sections or to leave such a vehicle as to obstruct a curb ramp
designed for use by handicapped persons as a means of egress to a
street or public way. The penalty for violation of this section shall
be $100. The vehicle may be removed according to the provisions of
MGL c. 266, § 120D. The penalty for failure to establish
and maintain handicapped spaces and signs required by the above sections
in this chapter shall be $50 for each day such failure continues.
As an alternative to criminal enforcement, this chapter may, in accordance
with MGL c. 40, § 21D, be enforced in a noncriminal proceeding
by either the Building Commissioner and local inspectors or any member
of the Police Department. Any enforcement person taking cognizance
of a violation of the chapter may, as an alternative to initiating
criminal proceedings, give to the offender a written notice to appear
before the Clerk of the Orleans District Court at any time during
office hours, but not later than 21 days after the date of the notice,
unless the civil fine is sooner paid.