On December 14, 2022, at the request of Commissioner Fernandez, the City Commission referred for discussion, item C4 J to the Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee (FERC) and the Disability Access Committee (DAC).

At the February 17, 2023 FERC meeting, the Committee discussed the subject item and also discussed a similar item sponsored by Commissioner Richardson, both pertaining to managing disabled parking to curb abuse.

This referral item is more specific to on-street parking and also proposes a registration process that would allow disabled placard holders to park in excess of posted times. At the meeting, staff was directed to return to FERC to further discuss both items with the purpose of identifying means to address disabled placard abuse.

The February 17, 2023 FERC memorandum regarding this item shared that Florida law allows persons with disabled placards or license plates to park at on-street metered spaces for free for up to four (4) hours. However, Miami-Dade County Code section 30-43 (3), prohibits the County and any municipality or agency to exact any fee for parking on public streets or highways or in any metered parking space from a driver of a vehicle with a disabled parking permit or license plate. Upon further review with the City Attorney’s Office (CAO), it was clarified that Code section 30-43 (5) allows penalties to be imposed upon vehicles displaying a disabled placard and parked in excess of posted time limits. Consequently, the City does have the right to impose time limits to all parking customers including those with disabled placards.

The proposed registration program, time restrictions, and imposition of parking fees in parking lots and garages will be presented and discussed with Disability Access Committee (DAC) at its April 18, 2023 meeting. Establishment of a registration program will require further discussion in coordination with the CAO to ensure Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) or any other applicable regulations and laws are not violated.

The abuse of disabled placards is an issue that extends beyond the City, County, and State. The City’s ability to impose time restrictions on vehicles displaying a disabled parking permit as well as to charge for parking in municipal lots and garages should be further discussed, taking into consideration DAC feedback. Eliminating or reducing financial incentives related to the use of disabled placards will serve to curb abuse while releasing accessible parking spaces for those who have legitimate needs.