[Adopted as Secs. 16-101 to 16-106 of the 1996 Code]
A. 
This article shall apply to all new and existing nonresidential sites that have a parking area for at least 20 motor vehicles, including but not limited to shopping centers, office buildings, manufacturing buildings, convalescent homes, schools and public buildings, and residential lots such as those in apartment and condominium complexes. In addition, it shall also apply to areas of the Town which the Traffic Authority may designate on Town roads which shall be of such size and location as he may specify.
B. 
It shall also apply to all physically disabled persons so designated under the provisions of General Statutes, § 14-253a, as amended.
A. 
After establishment of specially marked parking spaces for handicapped persons, no person shall park a motor vehicle in such spaces unless a physically disabled person shall park a motor vehicle in such space or unless a physically disabled person is either a passenger or occupant of the vehicle, and which, in either case, the vehicle contains a designation card in the lower left portion of the windshield or license plate with its first letters "HP" or is a motor vehicle registered in another state and marked to designate it as a physically disabled person's vehicle according to the laws of that state. The designation card of a Connecticut registered vehicle shall be the card issued by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles pursuant to General Statutes, § 14-253a, as amended.
B. 
Any motor vehicle parked in violation of the provisions of this section for the third or subsequent time shall be subject to being towed from such designated area. Such vehicle shall be impounded until payment for any fines is received by the Town.
C. 
No person, firm or corporation engaged in the business of leasing or renting motor vehicles without drivers in this state may be held liable for any acts of the lessee constituting a violation of the provisions of this section.
A. 
On each site having parking spaces for at least 20 but not more than 25 spaces, at least one space shall be specially designated and reserved for physically disabled persons' parking. Additional spaces for physically disabled persons' parking shall be in accordance with the following table:
Total Parking on Site
Required Number of
Handicapped Parking Spaces
26 - 50
2
51 - 75
3
76 - 100
4
101 - 150
5
151 - 200
6
201 - 300
7
301 - 400
8
401 - 500
9
501 - 1,000
2% of total
Over 1,000
20
Plus, for each 100 over 1,000
1
B. 
Parking spaces for the physically disabled shall be adjacent to curb cuts or other unobstructed methods permitting sidewalk access to a blind or physically disabled person and shall be located as close as possible to elevators, ramps, walkways and entrances and so located that the physically disabled person is not compelled to wheel or walk behind parked vehicles to reach entrances, ramps, walkways and elevators.
C. 
The exact location of the parking spaces shall be designated by the Town Traffic Authority or his designee.
Each such space designated for physically disabled persons' parking shall be not less than 15 feet in width, including three feet of cross-hatch, unless the same would create a nonconformance condition, in which event the existing parking stall width shall be permitted. Existing spaces for physically disabled persons' parking of less width and different markings need not comply until such time as the lot or space is repainted and/or the parking lot altered. Each space shall be designated by above-grade signs with white lettering against a blue background and shall bear the words "Handicapped Persons' Parking; State Permit Required." Such sign shall also bear the international symbol of access. Such signs shall be erected, installed and maintained by and at the expense of the owner, operator, lessee or tenant of said site and shall further indicate that unauthorized use of said space shall subject the violator to a fine. If the signs and markings called for herein are not installed within 30 days after written request by the Town Traffic Authority, the Town may proceed to install same and impose the costs thereof against the owner of the site, or may issue a citation as provided in the next section. Each day, after the 30 days within which time the owner if required but has not complied with the written request by the Town Traffic Authority to install markings and signs, shall be a separate violation.
Any person who violates any provision of this physically disabled persons' parking regulation shall have committed an infraction, and any Manchester police officer may issue a citation for such violation, which citation shall provide for a fine of $90 payable to the Town and remitted to the Manchester Police Department within 10 days of the citation date. If any fine is not paid within 10 days, a penalty in an amount equal to the fine shall immediately become due and payable in addition to the original fine.
The registered owner of any vehicle parked in violation of this article shall be presumed to be the operator at the time of the violation, provided that the registered owner shall be allowed to provide evidence to rebut said presumption.