[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of Framingham
as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 1-5-2021 by Ord.
No. 2021-006 as Art. VI, Sec. 2, of the General
Ordinances]
Except for the occupants of said dwelling house, no person shall
park or cause to be parked any motor vehicle in front of any dwelling
house. This prohibition shall be in effect only in those areas where
notice of such prohibition or regulation is given by use of portable
or permanent signs.
[Adopted 1-5-2021 by Ord.
No. 2021-006 as Art. V, Sec. 9, of the General Ordinances]
Designated parking spaces shall be provided in public and private
off-street parking areas for vehicles owned and operated by persons
with disabilities, or for any vehicle transporting a person with a
disability. Such vehicle shall bear the distinctive number plates
or placard authorized by MGL c. 90, § 2.
A.
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, or any other place where
the public has the right of access as invitees or licensees shall
reserve parking spaces in said off-street parking areas in accordance
with 521 CMR 23.00 and MGL c. 40, § 21(23), for any vehicle
owned and/or operated by a person with a disability whose vehicle
bears the distinguishing license plate or placard authorized by MGL
c. 90, § 2. Parking for multiple dwellings, including residential
condominiums, is subject to all provisions of the Architectural Access
Board regulations (521 CMR) and this article.
[Amended 4-30-2024 by Ord. No. 2024-025]
B.
Each parking space designated as reserved under the provisions of Subsection A shall be identified by the use of an above-grade sign located at the head of each space and no more than 10 feet away and permanently affixed to the ground or structure. The top of the sign shall not be lower than five feet from the ground nor more than eight feet from the ground. Signs shall show the international symbol of access and may have the words "Accessible Parking: Special Plate Required, Unauthorized Vehicles May Be Removed At Owner's Expense" in white on a blue background. A smaller sign may be added indicating the fine amount in § 343-4B.
(1)
The spaces shall be as near as possible to a building entrance or
walkway; shall be adjacent to curb ramps or other unobstructive methods
permitting sidewalk access to a person with a disability, and shall
be eight feet wide plus a five-foot aisle with diagonal striping.
Two accessible spaces may share a common access aisle.
(2)
Van-accessible spaces shall be eight feet wide with a striped access
aisle eight feet wide allowing a van to operate a lift. Each such
space shall have a sign designating it van-accessible.
(3)
Centered at the head of the eight-foot striped access aisle, an additional
sign shall be posted stating "No Parking Anytime." The sign shall
not obstruct the accessible route at the head of the access aisle.
(4)
Alternatively, all spaces may be universal spaces, 11 feet wide with
an access aisle five feet wide.
(5)
Accessible spaces shall be marked by high-contrast painted lines
or other high-contrast delineation. Access aisles shall be clearly
marked by means of diagonal stripes. The signs and pavement marking
shall be maintained in a timely manner.
A.
No person shall leave any unauthorized vehicle within parking spaces designated for use by persons with disabilities as authorized by § 343-2 hereof or in such a manner as to obstruct a curb ramp designated for use by persons with disabilities as a means of egress to a street or public way. The cross-hatch area abutting an accessible parking space shall, for the purposes of this section, be considered a part of the accessible parking space.
B.
Furthermore, any person or body who has lawful control of a public
or private way or of improved or enclosed property used as off-street
parking for authorized vehicles bearing handicapped parking (HP) plates
or placards shall be responsible for exercising reasonable care to
see that the spaces and access ramps be kept clear of, but not limited
to, snow, debris, refuse and shopping carts so the spaces are accessible
and usable. If snow stops falling after sunrise (during daylight hours),
property owners will have until 10:00 p.m. that same day to clear
the HP parking spaces, sidewalks, and curb cuts. If snow stops falling
after sunset (overnight), property owners will have until 10:00 a.m.
the next day to clear the HP parking spaces, sidewalks, and curb cuts.
Appeals may be made to the Massachusetts Architectural Access
Board (AAB) for variances from AAB rules and regulations. For relief
from the current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), contact the
Department of Justice for its variance process.
All funds received from fines for accessible parking violations
shall be deposited by the City Treasurer-Collector into a separate
account and shall be solely used for the benefit of persons with disabilities.
Said account shall be established by the City Treasurer-Collector
and kept separate and apart from all other funds. Expenditures from
said account, including all interest, if any, shall be made upon the
recommendation of the Disability Commission with approval of the City
Council and Mayor. The City Accountant shall submit annually a report
of said account to the Mayor and City Council for review.
