Guide to accessible parking

NEW JERSEY

GUIDE TO

ACCESSIBLE

PARKING

RESERVED

PARKING

STATE DISABLED PARKING

PERMIT REQUIRED

PENALTY

$250-FIRST OFFENSE

SUBSEQUENT

OFFENSES

$250 MINIMUM

AND/OR UP TO 90 DAYS

COMMUNITY SERVICE

TOW-AWAY ZONE

PARKING THERE FOR “JUST A MINUTE . . .”

is 60 SECONDS TOO LONG!

Never park in a space reserved for people with

disabilities UNLESS you have a Person with a

Disability Identiﬁcation Card and identifying

placard/plates. It’s the courteous thing to do - -

and it’s the law.

REMEMBER: Do not park in the striped access

aisles next to spaces reserved for people with

disabilities, even if you have a placard or plates.

The access aisles provide room for wheelchair

users to transfer safely to and from their vehicles.

This publication is designed as a resource only;

it is not a substitute for the law or statute

related to accessible parking.

State of New Jersey

Phil Murphy, Governor

Sheila Oliver, Lt. Governor

Department of Human Services

Carole Johnson, Commissioner

Produced by the NJ DHS

• Temporary Placards (see Fig. 3) can be granted for short-term

mobility impairments. Written medical certication from a

qualied practitioner is required. Temporary Placards are valid

for six months, renewable once at the discretion of the issuing

authority, and issued by the chief of police of each municipality.

(C.39:4-206)

• Parking motor vehicles in accessible spaces without special

vehicle identication is prohibited and punishable with an initial

ne of $250 and subsequent nes of at least $250 and up to 90

days of community service. (C.39:4-197(3)c)

• Municipalities may establish accessible spaces in front of

residences, schools, hospitals, public buildings, and in shopping

and business districts. (C.39:4-197.5)

• Municipalities may establish accessible parking zones in front

of residences occupied by people with disabilities, unless such

parking interferes with the normal trafc ow. (C.39:4-197.6)

• Law enforcement ofcers may enforce accessible parking laws

on both public and private property. (C.39:4-138.o)

• Municipalities may set up parking enforcement units that

concentrate on shopping centers and malls. (C.39.4-197.9)

• Eligible individuals with a disability may request law

enforcement ofcers to arrange for the removal and storage of

motor vehicles unlawfully parked in accessible parking spaces

or zones. (C.39:4-207.7)

• Access to parking spaces, curb cuts, or other improvements

designed to provide accessibility, shall be unobstructed. Owners

or controllers of public parking areas must remove snow or ice

from these areas within 24 hours after the weather condition

causing the snow and/or ice ceases. Violation of this act is

punishable with penalties of $500 to $1,000. (C.394:4-207.9)

GUIDE TO ACCESSIBLE PARKING

2 3

Editors Note: Although state law uses the term

“handicapped” parking, the word “handicapped” has been

changed to “accessible” throughout this guide to reﬂect

person-ﬁrst language.

Reserved parking for people with disabilities ensures safe and

equal access to goods and services. Accessible parking makes it

possible for individuals with a disability to use and benet from

the services offered by public and private entities.

Accessible parking requirements in New Jersey are a

combination of New Jersey statutes and Americans with

Disabilities Act (ADA) standards.

• Every application for the issuance or

renewal of a “Person with a Disability

Identication Card” (see Fig. 1), required

every three years, must include medical

certication from a qualied practitioner that

the qualifying disability continues to exist. (C.39:4-205)

• The individual who holds the “Person with a Disability

Identication Card” must be in the vehicle or with the driver at

all times as proof of disability. This card is for the sole use of the

individual with a disability and is non—transferable. Abuse or

misuse of this privilege will be cause for immediate revocation

of the ID card, placard and plates and nes of at least $250.

(C.39:4-205)

• Permanent Placards (see Fig. 2) are required to be renewed every

three years and will clearly display the date on which they shall

become invalid. (C.39:4-206)

HIGHLIGHTS OF ACCESSIBLE PARKING

IN NEW JERSEY

GUIDE TO ACCESSIBLE PARKING

4 5

PERSON WITH A DISABILITY ID CARD

AND PLACARDS

• No penalty shall be imposed on those with valid “Person with

a Disability Identication Cards” for overtime parking in one

location for up to 24 hours, as long as the person with the

disability is either the driver or passenger of the vehicle. (C.39:4-

207)

(Note: metered parking is delegated to local municipalities by

N.J.S.A. 39:4-197; The 24 hour limit is set forth in N.J.S.A. 39:4-

207)

ADA STANDARDS OUTLINE THE FOLLOWING:

• Accessible parking spaces must be identied by signs that

include the International Symbol of Accessibility.

• Access aisles must be marked.

• An accessible route must adjoin each access aisle serving

accessible parking spaces. The accessible route connects each

access aisle to accessible entrances.

• Accessible parking spaces must be located on the shortest

accessible route of travel to an accessible entrance.

• Accessible parking spaces and the required accessible route

should be located where individuals with disabilities do not

have to cross vehicular lanes or pass behind parked vehicles

to have access to an accessible entrance. If it is necessary to

cross a vehicular lane - for example, perhaps local re access

requirements prohibit parking immediately adjacent to a building

- then a marked crossing running perpendicular to the vehicular

route should be included as part of the accessible route to an

accessible entrance.

• One in every six accessible parking spaces must be van

accessible.

FIGURE 1:

Person with a Disability

Identiﬁcation Card

FIGURE 2:

Permanent Person with a

Disability Placard

FIGURE 3:

Temporary Person with a

Disability Placard

• Striped access aisles adjacent to accessible parking spaces.

• Parking meters without depositing a coin.

• Parking meters beyond a 24-hour period.

• Other areas prohibited by law including within an intersection,

on a crosswalk, in any area appropriately marked “no parking,”

within 50 feet of a stop sign or within 10 feet of a re hydrant.

Remember: Restricted parking placards and plates are to be used

solely by the individual with the qualifying disability. If someone

without a disability uses another person’s placard or plates, the

Motor Vehicle Commission or issuing locality may revoke the

placard/plates, deny renewal, and issue nes of at least $250.

GUIDE TO ACCESSIBLE PARKING

6 7

Q: How many accessible parking spaces are required?

A: The number of accessible parking spaces required depends on

the total number of parking spaces in the lot or garage.

In accordance with the ADA standards of accessible design,

when there is new construction or an alteration of previously

constructed parking spaces, it is required that at least one

accessible space in every parking lot and one in every six

accessible parking spaces be van accessible, with increased

dimensions of at least 11 feet and an access aisle of at least 5

feet.

PLACARD OR PLATE HOLDER CANNOT PARK

IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS:

• Owners or operators of any facility that provides public parking,

whether an indoor or outdoor garage or parking lot, are required

to provide accessible parking in accordance with federal and

state laws. Enforcement of motor vehicle laws, including parking

privileges, is a local matter.

WHAT ARE BUSINESS OR FACILITY OWNERS

AND OPERATORS REQUIRED TO DO?

• Ask a state, county or municipal law enforcement ofcer to

ticket an illegally parked car and to arrange for the removal and

storage of the vehicle.

• Complain to a shopping center manager or business owner. Ask

them to inform the local authorities.

• File a complaint with your local municipality.

COMPLAINTS ABOUT ILLEGAL

PARKING...WHAT CAN BE DONE?

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Total # spaces

1-25

26-50

51-75

79-100

101-150

151-200

201-300

301-400

401-500

51-1,000

Over 1,000

Required # of

accessible spaces

At least 1 in

each lot

2% of total

20 + 1 for each

100 over 1,000

Required # of

accessible van

spaces if

constructed or

altered prior to

3/15/2012

1:8

1 in every 8

Required # of

accessible van

spaces if

constructed

or altered on or

after 3/15/2012

1:6

1 in every 6

GUIDE TO ACCESSIBLE PARKING

8 9

Q: How must accessible parking spaces and access aisles be

marked?

A: The parking spaces and access aisles must be painted in a color

(most often blue) contrasting with other spaces. Signage with

the International Symbol of Accessibility and the penalty sign

must be provided at each accessible parking space and must

be permanently installed 5 to 7 feet above the ground. Signs

identifying van parking spaces shall contain the designation

“van accessible.” The required “van accessible” designation is

intended to be informative, not restrictive, in identifying spaces

that are better suited for van use. The access aisle for both

accessible car and van spaces is required to be a minimum of 5

feet wide. Access aisles shall adjoin an accessible route, shall

be marked to discourage parking in them, and shall extend the

full length of the parking spaces they serve. Also, two parking

spaces may share a common access aisle.

Q: Can accessible parking spaces

be the same size as non-

accessible spaces, as long as

the appropriate signs are

placed in front of the space?

A: No. Accessible car parking

spaces must be at least 8 feet

wide. Accessible van parking

spaces must be at least 11 feet

wide. The access aisle for both accessible car and van spaces

is required to be a minimum of 5 feet.

Q: If a parking lot does not have spaces designated for people

with disabilities because it was paved a long time ago,

before these requirements were in place, does it now have

to provide accessible parking spaces?

A: Yes. The ADA requires private entities to remove barriers to

become compliant. Therefore, even if business owners are not

planning any type of construction, they are still obligated to

remove barriers that are readily achievable.

Q: Is my wheelchair symbol license plate/placard valid when

traveling outside of New Jersey?

A: Not always. Check with the state you intend to visit. Reciprocity

is standard for some but not all states. For example, a New

Jersey placard/pate is not valid on New York City streets, as

NYC requires their own accessible parking permit. However,

a motor vehicle with a special license plate, placard or parking

permit issued to a person with a disability by another state,

district or territory of the United States or by Canada shall be

entitled to accessible parking privileges in New Jersey. (39:4-

207.5)

Q: Store owners and other businesses often receive complaints

from patrons about other customers who illegally park

in the accessible parking spaces or misuse the spots by

parking in the stripped area next to the space. What should

they do?

A: Instances in which individuals illegally park in a space marked

for accessible parking should be reported to the proper law

enforcement authorities. In your area, if the local police are

responsible for addressing violations, they should be notied

as soon as possible. If a local security company staff patrols

your parking area, they should be notied.

Q: Is a person with a wheelchair symbol license plate/placard

required to deposit money when parking at a metered

space?

A: Yes. When parking at a metered space, a driver with a disability

placard/license plate must put the appropriate amount of

money in the meter. If the vehicle will occupy the space for

GUIDE TO ACCESSIBLE PARKING

10 11

FOR MORE INFORMATION

PO Box 705 Trenton, NJ 08625-0705

1-888-285-3036

www.state.nj.us/humanservices/dds/home/index.html

New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission

Special Plate Unit

225 East State Street

PO Box 15

Trenton, NJ 08666-0015

609-292-6500

www.state.nj.us/mvc/vehicles/disability.htm

ADA Information Line

1-800 514-0301 (Voice)

1-800-514-0383 (TTY)

www.ADA.gov

more than the maximum amount of time allotted on the meter,

the driver must ll the meter to the maximum amount allowed.

This will permit the vehicle to occupy the space for up to 24

hours without having to come back and rell the meter. A

municipality may require the vehicle to vacate the space after

24 hours.

(Note: metered parking is delegated to local municipalities

by N.J.S.A. 39:4-197; The 24 hour limit is set forth in

N.J.S.A. 39:4-207)

Q: How can I apply for a person with a disability license

plate or permanent placard?

A: The application and instruction checklist can be

obtained on the Motor Vehicle Commission website

at: www.state.nj.us/mvc/vehicles/disability.htm;

by visiting your nearest Motor Vehicle Commission

facility; or by calling the Motor Vehicle Commission

at 609-292-6500 and requesting that they be

mailed to you. The same application is used for

ﬁrst-time (initial), renewal, and replacement plate

and permanent placard requests. A “Person with

a Disability Identiﬁcation Card” will be issued

following an initial application and must be used in

conjunction with a plate and/or permanent placard.

Qualiﬁed applicants receive one set of wheelchair

symbol license plates for a vehicle registered either

to the qualiﬁed person with a disability OR to one

family member who provides the qualiﬁed person

with transportation (aka driver).