[Added 12-11-1979 by Ord. No. 1340]
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
PHYSICAL HANDICAP
A physical impairment which shall include the loss of use of one or more limbs as a consequence of paralysis, amputation, or other permanent disability which renders a person unable to ambulate without the aid of an assisting device or a person whose mobility is otherwise limited as certified by: a physician with a plenary license to practice medicine and surgery, a podiatrist licensed to practice in this state or a bordering state, a physician stationed at a military or naval installation located in this state who is licensed to practice in any state, or, a chiropractic physician licensed to practice in this state or a bordering state.
[Amended 3-19-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-2903]
PUBLIC BUILDING
Any building, structure, facility or complex used by the general public or to which the general public is invited, including but not limited to theaters, concert halls, auditoriums, museums, schools, libraries, recreation facilities, public transportation terminals and stations, factories, office buildings, businesses, shopping centers, hotels or motels and public eating places, whether privately or publicly owned, except that this term shall not include private family residences, warehouse storage areas and all buildings conducting hazardous occupancies that involve highly combustible, highly flammable or explosive material.
[Amended 3-19-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-2903]
The owners of all public buildings which provide parking spaces adjacent to or used in conjunction with the public building shall, within 180 days of notice thereof, provide for parking spaces for handicapped persons in accordance with the guidelines herein set forth and in a location and manner as determined by the Code Enforcement Officer.
[Amended 3-19-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-2903]
Parking spaces for the physically handicapped shall be constructed according to the following guidelines:
A. 
Required number of accessible spaces.
Total Number of Spaces
Required Number of Accessible Spaces
1 to 25
1
26 to 50
2
51 to 75
3
76 to 100
4
101 to 150
5
151 to 200
6
201 to 300
7
301 to 400
8
401 to 500
9
501 to 1,000
2% of total
Over 1,000
20 + 1 for each 100 over 1,000
B. 
The location of the physically handicapped spaces shall be on the shortest accessible route from the parking facility to an accessible entrance of the building which the facility serves. The determination of said location shall be made by the Code Enforcement Office in conjunction and consultation with the owner. In shopping centers and other multistore facilities, the handicapped spaces shall be as near to the flagship store as possible and/or at such other locations as may be agreeable between the Code Enforcement Officer and the owner. Where buildings have multiple accessible entrances with adjacent parking, the accessible parking spaces should be disbursed and located as near as possible to the accessible entrances.
C. 
Each space shall be identified with a clearly visible sign displaying the international symbol of access along with the following words: "These Spaces Reserved For Physically Handicapped Only. Special Vehicle Identification Required." The sign for each space shall be as specified in the current Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, and shall also state the current penalty which may be imposed for a violation under § 465-78 of this chapter. The lines designating the area shall be painted in powder blue paint and the center of the space shall have painted thereon the international symbol of accessibility.[1]
465 Handicapped Symbol.tif
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
D. 
Handicapped parking spaces shall be at least eight feet wide, with adjacent striped access aisle at least five feet wide. At least one handicapped parking space in each parking lot must be van accessible, being eight feet wide with an adjacent striped access aisle at least eight feet wide. Each handicapped parking space shall be indicated with a sign permanently installed in the ground at least five to seven feet above ground with the international symbol of accessibility.
E. 
Where possible, such spaces shall be located so that persons in wheelchairs or using braces or crutches are not compelled to wheel or walk behind parked cars.
F. 
Where applicable, curb ramps shall be provided from the end of the access aisle to the sidewalk. The entrance to said ramps shall not be higher than the grade level of the parking area to which they connect.
[Amended 8-27-1990 by Ord. No. 90-2195]
Parking is hereby prohibited in any space on public or private property appropriately marked for vehicles for the physically handicapped pursuant to N.J.S.A. 39:4-197.5 or any other applicable law unless the vehicle is authorized by law to be parked therein and a handicapped person is either the driver or a passenger in that vehicle.
The Township Clerk shall issue free of charge a Township special vehicle identification card to any physically disabled person (resident or nonresident) who may not qualify for such identification under N.J.S.A. 39:4-204 but does qualify under § 465-73 of this article. A physician's certification shall be necessary to establish the qualifying status of each applicant.
[Amended 4-28-1981 by Ord. No. 1421; 8-27-1990 by Ord. No. 90-2195; 12-15-2003 by Ord. No. 2003-2749]
Any person parking a motor vehicle in a restricted parking space without a special vehicle identification card in violation of N.J.S.A. 39:4-197.5 and § 465-77 of the Code of the Township of Middletown shall be liable to a fine of $250 for the first offense and for subsequent offenses a fine of at least $250 and up to 90 days of community service, such terms and in such form as the court shall deem appropriate, or in any combination thereof.