Orange Township, NJ Special Zones and Areas

[Added 4-15-86 by Ord. No. 34-86; amended 12-20-88 by Ord. No. 43-88; 5-21-91 by Ord. No. 14-91; 4-4-95 by Ord. No. 6-95; 8-2-95 by Ord. No. 19-95; 3-7-2017 by Ord. No. 7-2017; 11-6-2019 by Ord. No. 38-2019; 2-7-2023 by Ord. No. 1-2023; 5-16-2023 by Ord. No. 16-2023]

Upon adoption of an ordinance, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 39:4-197.6, establishing a restricted parking zone in front of a residence occupied by a person or persons with disabilities, the Public Works Department shall issue a permit which identifies a specific motor vehicle and the location wherein it is to be parked as designated in the ordinance. The permit shall be five and one-half (5 1/2) inches by eight and one-half (8 1/2) inches in size, shall bear an appropriate certification of authenticity and shall be displayed prominently within the vehicle when it is parked so as to be seen from the middle of the street. Such permits shall only be issued to persons who can prove ownership and operation of the motor vehicle and residency at the location specified thereon. The fee for each such permit shall be $100.

Each applicant for a restricted parking zone in front of his or her residence shall meet and satisfy all of the requirements set forth in N.J.S.A. 39:4-197.5, 39:4-197.6, 39:197.7, and any other applicable state statute, rule or regulation.

The locations described in Schedule XXII (Section 200-52.1) attached to and made a part of this chapter, are hereby designated as accessible parking spaces and subject to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 39:4-197.5, et seq.

No accessible parking space shall be established within three hundred (300) feet of any other accessible parking space, except that where accessible parking spaces are existing in closer proximity on the effective date of this section, those spaces may remain until the permit holder dies or otherwise permanently ceases to reside in that residence, or until he or she no longer qualifies for an accessible parking space under the terms of this section and/or the applicable state statutes;

Each applicant for a restricted parking zone in front of his or her residence shall certify on a form provided by the Department of Public Works that he or she has no driveway or garage accessible for use as a parking space;

Each applicant for a restricted parking zone in front of his or her residence may only receive one (1) accessible parking space, limited to that side of the street on which his or her residence is located if there is parking permitted on both sides of the street;

Where parking is restricted to one side of the street, the City may make provisions to ensure an accessible parking space is available to the applicant at all times;

Holders of temporary accessible license plates must reapply annually with the Department of Public Works to maintain a restricted parking zone in front of his or her residence once such accessible parking space has been issued;

Every two years, commencing in 1995, the Public Works Department shall send a form to each recipient of an accessible parking space containing a certification to be signed by the recipient certifying his or her continuing qualifications and need for an accessible parking space. Each form shall contain instructions for its completion and return within 30 days of receipt. It is the applicant's responsibility to notify the Public Works Department in the event that the designated accessible parking space is no longer required. Within 30 days after the due date for the return of the certifications, the Public Works Department shall submit a list to the City Council of all accessible parking spaces for which certifications were not returned. The City Council may then act at a subsequent meeting to terminate approval of those accessible parking spaces for which certifications were not received. In addition, after verification by the Public Works Department, the City Council may act at any time to terminate approval of those accessible parking spaces held by recipients that have died or have moved from the City of Orange.

Effective February 1, 2023, prior to introduction of an ordinance establishing an accessible parking space, the Department of Public Works shall obtain a report from the City Engineer that examines the feasibility of each proposed accessible parking space. The Department of Public Works and shall provide a copy of the Engineer’s report to the City Clerk and shall also report to the City Council if there is any public policy reason for denying approval of the proposed space, including, but not limited to: (1) parking is otherwise prohibited in the area; (2) the restricted space will interfere with the normal flow of traffic; (3) the number and/or nature of commercial establishments in the area make the restricted space burdensome and impractical; (4) the existence of other restricted parking spaces in the vicinity of the proposed space is likely to create an unreasonable burden on neighboring residents. The requirement for the report from the City Engineer shall not apply to ordinances for accessible parking spaces introduced prior to February 1, 2023. It shall be the responsibility of the City Clerk to distribute the City Engineer’s report to the City Council. The Director of the Department of Public Works or a designee shall provide written notice of any denial of an application for an accessible parking space to the applicant and provide the reason for the denial.