[Adopted by Town Council 12-17-1984; amended 4-17-1989; 8-4-2003]
This article shall apply to all new and existing nonresidential sites that have a parking area for 20 or more vehicles, including but not limited to shopping centers, office buildings, commercial buildings, mercantile buildings, warehouses, storage buildings, manufacturing buildings, convalescent homes, schools and public buildings.
After establishment of specially marked parking spaces for handicapped persons, no person shall park a motor vehicle in such space unless a handicapped person is either a passenger or occupant of the vehicle and the vehicle contains a designation issued by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, pursuant to the Connecticut General Statutes, which designation shall be visible as per the Connecticut General Statutes, or an official handicapped designation issued by any other state, district or territory subject to the laws of the United States of America shall be recognized as acceptable identification in the Town of Plainville.
A. 
On each site having parking spaces for at least 20 but not more than 25 vehicles, at least one space shall be specially designated and reserved for handicapped parking. Additional spaces for handicapped parking shall be in accordance with the following table:
Total Parking on Site
Required Number of Handicapped Parking Spaces
26 to 50
2
51 to 75
3
76 to 100
4
101 to 150
5
151 to 200
6
201 to 300
7
301 to 400
8
401 to 500
9
501 to 1,000
2% of total
Over 1,000
20 plus 1 for each 100 over 1,000
B. 
Parking spaces for the handicapped shall be located as close as possible to elevators, ramps, walkways and entrances, and so located that the handicapped person is not compelled to wheel or walk behind parked vehicles to reach entrances, ramps, walkways and elevators. Also, parking spaces shall be adjacent to curb cuts or other unobstructed methods permitting sidewalk access to a handicapped person.
Each such space designated for handicapped parking shall be as near as possible to a building entrance or walkway and shall be not less than 15 feet in width, including three feet of cross hatch, unless the same would create a nonconforming condition, in which event the existing parking stall width shall be permitted or shall be parallel to the sidewalk. Each space shall be designated by an above-grade sign with white lettering against a blue background and shall bear the words "HANDICAPPED PARKING STATE PERMIT REQUIRED" and "VIOLATORS WILL BE FINED." 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. If the sign and markings called for herein are not installed within 30 days after written request by the Town Council or its designee, the Town my proceed to install the same and impose the costs thereof against the owner of the site.
Whenever any vehicle shall be found parked in violation of this article, any Plainville police officer may issue a ticket for such violation, which ticket shall provide for a fine payable to the Town of Plainville and remitted to the Plainville Police Department within 15 days of the ticket date. If any fine is not paid within 15 days, a penalty in an amount equal to the fine shall immediately become due and payable in addition to the original fine and a warrant may be issued for the arrest of the violator. Any person who violates any provision of this article for which a penalty or fine is not otherwise provided shall, for a first violation, be subject to a fine of $150 and, for a subsequent violation, shall be subject to a fine of $250.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
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.
A. 
For the purpose of enforcing the provisions of this article, tickets may be issued by any persons authorized to issue tickets, summons or infractions under the authority of the Connecticut General Statutes or the Charter of the Town of Plainville.
B. 
The adoption of this article shall not preclude the enforcement, by properly authorized officials, of like provisions of the Connecticut General Statutes.