(1) Definitions:

(a) Physically Handicapped Person. Any person who is eligible to receive a handicapped plate or handicapped parking placard as defined in § 1338 of the Vehicle Code, 75 Pa. C.S.A. § 1338, or any subsequent amendment thereto.

(b) Severely-Disabled Veteran. Any veteran who is eligible to receive a severely-disabled veteran plate or severely-disabled veteran placard as defined in § 1342 of the Vehicle Code, 75 Pa.C.S.A. § 1342, or any subsequent amendment thereto.

(c) Handicapped Plate. As defined in § 1338(a) of the Vehicle Code, 75 Pa. C.S.A. § 1338(a), or any subsequent amendment thereto.

(d) Handicapped Parking Placard. As defined in § 1338(b) of the Vehicle Code, 75 Pa. C.S.A. § 1338(b), or any subsequent amendment thereto.

(e) Severely-Disabled Veteran Plate. As defined in § 1342(a) of the Vehicle Code, 75 Pa.C.S.A. § 1342(a), or any subsequent amendment thereto.

(f) Severely-Disabled Veteran Placard. As defined in § 1342(b) of the Vehicle Code, 75 Pa.C.S.A. § 1342(b), or any subsequent amendment thereto.

(g) Disabled Veteran Plate. As defined in § 1342(c) of the Vehicle Code, 75 Pa.C.S.A. § 1342(c), or any subsequent amendment thereto.

(h) Disabled Veteran. Any veteran who is eligible to receive a disabled veteran plate.

(2) Exemption for physically handicapped persons and disabled or severely- disabled veterans from parking time limits and parking meter fees:[49]

(a) When a motor vehicle bearing a handicapped plate, a handicapped parking placard, a severely-disabled veteran's plate, or a severely-disabled veteran placard is being operated by or for the transportation of a physically handicapped person or a severely-disabled veteran, the driver shall be entitled to park for a period of sixty (60) minutes in excess of the maximum time limit and without payment of any parking meter fees during that sixty (60) minute period on streets where parking is limited but not prohibited by ordinance or by the Vehicle Code. Such motor vehicles shall comply with all parking prohibitions.

(b) When a motor vehicle that is identifiable as a wheelchair lift-equipped van is being operated by or for the transportation of a physically disabled person or a severely disable veteran, the driver shall be entitled to park without limitation as to time and without payment of any parking meter fees on streets where parking is limited but not prohibited by ordinance of by the Vehicle Code. Such motor vehicles shall comply with all parking prohibitions.

(3) Reserved on-street parking for physically handicapped persons and severely-disabled veterans; reserved on-street accessible parking spaces:[50]

(a) After an investigation determining need has been performed through the Department of Health with the information set forth in (3)(b) and approved by the Department of Streets for practicality and feasibility of traffic operations, the Department of Streets may designate reserved on-street parking for the physically handicapped and severely-disabled veterans.

(b) When applying for an on-street parking space for the exclusive use by handicapped persons or severely-disabled veterans, at least the following information shall be supplied by the applicant to the City and, in part, shall be used as criteria for determining the appropriate location for a handicapped parking space:

(.1) the nature and use of adjacent buildings;

(.2) the availability and proximity of off-street parking;

(.3) any other information which the Department of Streets and/or the Department of Health may require.

(c) When a motor vehicle bearing a handicapped plate, a handicapped parking placard, a severely-disabled veteran plate or a severely-disabled veteran placard is being operated by or for the transportation of a physically handicapped person or severely-disabled veteran, the driver shall be permitted to park without limitation as to time in any reserved on-street parking space for physically handicapped persons and severely-disabled veterans.

(d) Reserved on-street parking spaces shall be located as close as practicable to educational institutions, government buildings, hospitals, medical centers, cultural institutions and recreational facilities. Reserved on-street parking in residential areas shall be provided for under § 3354(d) of the Vehicle Code, 75 Pa. C.S.A. § 3354(d), or any subsequent amendment thereto.

(e) Reserved on-street parking spaces shall not be provided at any other location where parking is prohibited by ordinance or by the Vehicle Code.

(f) On each side of each hundred block on which there is metered parking, one reserved accessible parking space shall be located as close as possible to an accessible curb ramp, marked by signs at both ends of the space showing the symbol of accessibility. Parking at each accessible space shall be regulated by an electronic meter which has no moving parts, handles or thumb slides, which is programmed to accept at least seven different coins or tokens, and which is painted blue. No vehicle may park at any such space except a motor vehicle bearing a handicapped plate, a handicapped parking placard, a severely-disabled veteran's plate, or a severely-disabled veteran placard and which is being operated by or for the transportation of a physically handicapped person or a severely-disabled veteran. Drivers of such vehicles shall be entitled to park in an accessible space for a period of sixty (60) minutes in excess of the maximum time limit and without payment of any parking meter fees during that sixty (60) minute period. Such motor vehicles shall comply with all parking prohibitions, including, but not limited to, snow emergency, street cleaning or resident parking.[51]

(4) Eligibility requirements for special parking privileges:

(a) Handicapped and severely-disabled veterans' plates and parking placards shall be prominently displayed on the motor vehicle.

(b) Except for persons parking vehicles lawfully bearing registration plates or parking placards issued to physically handicapped persons or severely-disabled veterans, no person shall park a vehicle in parking spaces reserved for physically handicapped persons and severely-disabled veterans, including any parking space in a public garage or public parking lot that is identified as an accessible parking space.[52]

(5) Administrative provisions:

(a) Any handicapped person or severely-disabled veteran as defined in subsections 12-1117(1)(a) and (b) may request that an investigation be conducted to determine the need for a parking space for a handicapped person or severely-disabled veteran. An application shall be submitted to the Department of Health and to the Department of Streets.

(b) After an investigation has been completed by the Department of Health and approved by the Department of Streets with regard to practicality and feasibility of traffic operations, the Department of Streets shall install a sign or signs indicating that an on-street parking space is reserved for the exclusive use of handicapped persons or severely-disabled veterans, that no parking is allowed there by others, and that any unauthorized person parking in a reserved space is subject to the penalty provided for in this Section.

(c) The Department of Streets may promulgate such rules and regulations which are necessary or desirable to effectuate the purpose of this Section.

(d) The Police Department, in its discretion, may limit or temporarily suspend any of the parking privileges specified in this Section to cover emergencies or special events and may impose any other restriction deemed necessary in the interest of traffic safety and traffic control.

(6) Penalty: Any person violating subsections 12-1117(3), (4) or (5) shall be liable for payment of fines, costs and additional fees prescribed and assessed in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 12-2800 of this Title.[53]