Any person or body that has lawful control of
an improved off-street parking area shall reserve parking spaces in
said parking area for any vehicle owned and operated by a disabled
veteran or handicapped person whose vehicle bears the distinguishing
plate authorized by MGL c. 90, § 2 or for any vehicle transporting
a handicapped person and displaying the special identification plate
authorized by MGL c. 90, § 2 or for any vehicle bearing
the official identification of a handicapped person issued by any
other state or any Canadian province. Parking spaces for the handicapped
shall be provided according to the following table:
Total Number of Spaces
|
Number of Required Handicapped Spaces
|
---|
10 to 20
|
1
|
21 to 30
|
2
|
31 to 50
|
3
|
51 to 100
|
4
|
101 or more
|
Refer to Rules and Regulations of Architectural
Access Board
|
Parking spaces for the physically handicapped
shall be designed in accordance with the Rules and Regulations of
the Architectural Access Board of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Department of Public Safety (521 CMR), as such standards may be amended.
Such spaces shall be identified by above-grade
signs with white lettering against a blue background bearing the words
"Handicapped Parking: Special Plate Required. Unauthorized Vehicles
May Be Removed at Owner's Expense."
The handicapped spaces shall be located in the
portion of the parking lot nearest the entrance to the structure which
the parking lot serves, in accordance with the Rules and Regulations
of the Architectural Barriers Board of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Department of Public Safety (521 CMR), as such standards may be amended.
Where sidewalks are provided for such parking spaces or pair of spaces,
a curb cut (sidewalk ramp) shall be installed so that handicapped
persons are not required to enter the stream of traffic to attain
access to sidewalks.
It shall be unlawful to leave unauthorized vehicles
within parking spaces reserved and designated for use by disabled
or handicapped persons under the provisions of this article or in
such a manner as to obstruct a curb ramp designed for use by handicapped
persons as a means of egress to a street or public way.
In addition to other methods of enforcement
available, this article may be enforced by noncriminal complaint pursuant
to the provisions of MGL c. 40, § 21D by officers of the
Belchertown Police Department.