The building official of the city is hereby authorized to designate specific parking stalls, spaces or areas upon public property as disabled parking spaces. Upon the request of the owner or operator of any existing off-street parking facility, the building official of the city is authorized to approve stalls, spaces or parking areas in an off-street parking facility as handicapped parking spaces. The building official, in the approval process for off-street parking facilities, is authorized to designate stalls, spaces or parking areas in an off-street parking facility as disabled parking spaces. Disabled parking spaces are for the exclusive use of vehicles which display a distinguishing license plate, specially designated symbols, tags or other devices issued pursuant to Texas Transportation Code §§ 502.253 — 502.255 to disabled persons and veterans. Such stalls or spaces shall be designated by posting, at the businesses' expense, signs which comply with the requirements of the said statute. The dimensions of all parking spaces so designated shall comply with state commission of licensing and regulation guidelines.
[Ord. No. 1493-24 adopted 3/11/2024]
A vehicle or vehicles not displaying the proper state issued handicapped designation may, at the discretion of any peace officer, be towed, or otherwise removed, from a properly designated handicapped parking space at the expense of the owner of said vehicle and, if towed, may be impounded and detained until all towing and storing charges are paid.
[Ord. No. 1493-24 adopted 3/11/2024]
(a) 
Generally.
A vehicle or vehicles not displaying the proper state-issued disability designation which is stopped, standing, parked or left in any parking space properly designated for the exclusive use of persons with disabilities within the city may, at the discretion of any peace officer or other authorized parking enforcement agent, be issued a parking citation. Authorized parking enforcement agents shall include any city police officer or employee or city volunteer designated by the chief of police or the city manager to enforce the provisions of this section.
(b) 
Penalty.
Any person, firm or corporation who violates, disobeys, omits, neglects or refuses to comply with or who resists the enforcement of any of the provisions of this section:
(1) 
Except as provided by this subsection (b), an offense under this division is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $250.00 or more than $500.00.
(2) 
If it is shown on the trial of an offense under this section that the person has been previously convicted one time of an offense under this section, the offense is punishable by a fine of not less than $300.00 or more than $600.00.
(3) 
If it is shown on the trial of an offense under this section that the person has been previously convicted two times of an offense under this section, the offense is punishable by:
a. 
A fine of not less than $300.00 or more than $600.00; and
b. 
Not less than ten or more than 20 hours of community service.
(4) 
If it is shown on the trial of an offense under this section that the person has been previously convicted three times of an offense under this section, the offense is punishable by:
a. 
A fine not less than $500.00 or more than $1,000.00; and
b. 
Not less than 20 or more than 50 hours community service.
(5) 
If it is shown on the trial of an offense under this section that the person has been previously convicted four times of an offense under this section, the offense is punishable by a fine of $1,000.00 and 50 hours of community service.
[Ord. No. 1493-24 adopted 3/11/2024]