§ 621-111. Parking privileges for physically handicapped persons.

(a)

As used in this section, "physically handicapped person" means:

(1)

Any person who has been issued a parking permit for physically handicapped individuals pursuant to IC 9-14-5;

(2)

Any person who has been issued a handicapped person license plate or decal pursuant to IC 9-18-22; or

(3)

Any person who has been issued a disabled veteran license plate pursuant to IC 9-18-18.

(b)

As used in this section, "private business property" and "shopping center" mean privately owned real property on which the public is invited to travel for business purposes.

(c)

The director of the department of public works shall reserve metered parking spaces on public streets for the exclusive use of physically handicapped persons seven (7) days per week twenty-four (24) hours per day provided that such designation shall not authorize handicapped parking in such spaces during hours when parking is otherwise prohibited at such location.

(d)

The owner or manager of a shopping center or private business property may reserve parking spaces within such shopping center or private business property for the exclusive use of physically handicapped persons at all times that such shopping center or private business property is open to the public.

(e)

Physically handicapped persons who park at such designated spaces shall display on their vehicle either a parking permit issued pursuant to IC 9-14-5, a handicapped person license plate or decal issued pursuant to IC 9-18-22, or a disabled veteran license plate issued pursuant to IC 9-18-18. Failure to display such placard or plate shall be a violation of this section and shall subject the owner or operator of the vehicle to the penalties provided for violations of this chapter.

(f)

Physically handicapped persons who park at designated metered spaces shall be subject to all restrictions and requirements applicable to such meters, including time restrictions and charges for parking. Failure to comply with such restrictions and requirements is a violation of this section and shall subject the owner or operator of the vehicle to the penalties provided for violations of this chapter. However, the director of the department of public works shall issue a permit waiving time restrictions and parking charges to any physically handicapped person who files an affidavit with the department stating that he is physically incapable of depositing money in a parking meter. It shall be unlawful for any person to park at a designated metered space without depositing money in the meter unless a permit issued pursuant to this subsection is prominently displayed on the vehicle so parked.

(g)

A vehicle displaying the placard or license plate required in subsection (e) above is eligible to be parked in the designated space only when the vehicle is being operated by or is providing transportation for the person to whom the placard or license plate has been issued. Failure to comply with this restriction is a violation of this section and shall subject the owner or operator of the vehicle to penalties provided for violations of this chapter.

(h)

Any person who parks at a space designated pursuant to subsections (c) and (d) above, and who fails to display the placard or plate required by subsection (e) or who is not eligible to obtain such a placard or plate shall be in violation of this section. Such violation shall subject the owner or operator of the vehicle to penalties provided for violations of this chapter. However a vehicle displaying an unexpired handicapped parking permit, an unexpired disabled veteran's registration plate or decal issued under the laws of another state may also park in designated spaces pursuant to this section.

(Code 1975, § 29-256.2; G.O. 39, 1998, § 1; G.O. 15, 2001, § 73)