Title
Ordinance - An Ordinance of the City of Mansfield, Texas, Amending Title VII “Traffic Code” of the Code of Mansfield, Texas, by Adding Section 72.24 “Designating Parking Spaces for Disabled Persons”; Providing That This Ordinance is Cumulative of All Ordinances; Providing a Severability Clause; Providing a Penalty Clause; Providing for Publication as Required by Law; and Providing an Effective Date
Requested Action
Consider an Ordinance adding a new section regarding the identification of parking spaces for disabled persons within the City of Mansfield.
Recommendation
Staff recommends passing of the Ordinance.
Description/History
Senate Bill 904, passed during the 88th Texas Legislature, Regular Session added a provision to Section 681.011 of the Transportation Code which prohibited a peace officer from issuing a citation for vehicles parked in parking spaces intended for disabled persons if said parking spaces did not have identifying signs in accordance with the requirements of the standards and specifications adopted by the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulations. Instead, the peace officer is only allowed to issue a warning.
Justification
As a result of Senate Bill 904 being passed, there has been an increase in the number of vehicles that are parking in spaces intended for disabled persons, without having the proper license plates or placards previously required to utilize said spaces.
The Transportation Code authorizes a political subdivision to require private property owners to conform to the standards and specifications adopted by the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulations when designating parking spaces with disabled persons. Doing this would allow peace officers the ability to once again issue citations for parking in said spaces without the proper license plates or placards issued by the State.
The Ordinance provides for notice to be given to the property owner when signs on their private property designating spaces f...
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