§ 50-236. Handicapped parking.

(a)

License plate, placard, identification card on veteran plate required. It shall be unlawful to park or leave standing any vehicle in a space designated for handicapped persons when such vehicle does not display the distinguishing license plate, placard, or identification card or a disabled veteran registration plate as provided by state law.

(b)

Unlawful use of distinguishing plates, placards or cards. It shall be unlawful for any person not qualifying for the rights and privileges extended to handicapped or visually impaired persons to exercise or attempt to exercise such rights or privileges by the unauthorized use of a distinguishing license plate, placard or identification card.

(c)

Obstruction of handicapped parking. It shall be unlawful for any person, including any person qualified for the rights and privileges extended to handicapped or visually impaired persons, to obstruct:

(1)

The parking in or egress from, by motor vehicle; or

(2)

The access to or egress from, on foot or by assisting device

any parking space designated for handicapped persons. Parking in any place in which parking is otherwise prohibited by any ordinance or statute, which place adjoins any such designated handicapped parking space, is declared to be a violation of this section.

(d)

Penalty for violation of section. A violation of this section shall subject the offender to a civil penalty as provided for in G.S. § 20-37.6 (f) (1). This penalty shall be collected in the same manner as other violations of the parking provisions of the city are collected.

(e)

Enforcement; notice. The chief of police may designate persons to enforce the provisions of this section. Such persons shall attach to any vehicle violating the provisions of this section a notice to the owner or operator of such vehicle that such vehicle has been parked in violation of the provisions of the ordinances of the city, and that such violation subjects the offender to a civil penalty in the amount stated in the notice.

(Code 1971, § 31-169.1; Ord. of 9-7-95, § 1; Ord. No. 00-1171, § 1, 11-9-00; Ord. No. 05-0838, § 1, 8-4-05)