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.