§ 118-183. Offenses and penalties.

(a)

It shall be unlawful for any person to stop, stand or park any vehicle in a handicapped parking place unless there is displayed on the dashboard or hung from the rear-view mirror of the parked vehicle a valid unexpired handicapped parking permit or unless there is attached to the vehicle a specially designated license plate for the disabled as authorized under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-222, as amended.

(b)

It shall be unlawful for any person to stop, stand or park any vehicle in a handicapped parking place except for the purpose of allowing a handicapped person to enter or get out of such vehicle while in such parking place. However, nothing in this subsection shall prevent an ambulance or emergency vehicle from stopping in a handicapped parking place.

(c)

It shall be unlawful for any person to obtain by fraud or counterfeit a handicapped parking permit.

(d)

It shall be unlawful for any person or institution, other than the one to whom a handicapped parking permit or specially designated license plate for the disabled is issued, to make use of a handicapped parking permit or specially designated license plate for a disabled person. It shall be unlawful for any person to use a handicapped parking permit for any institutional vehicle other than the one for which the permit has been issued.

(e)

No person shall park a vehicle so as to block any entrance or egress ramp used by the handicapped on public or private property.

(f)

Any person violating subsection (c) of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

(g)

Any person violating subsection (a), (b), (d) or (e) of this section shall be subject to a fine according to section 118-31. Enforcement of this subsection shall be through a civil action in the magistrate court by the issuance of a citation which shall either be left with the vehicle or delivered to the person in possession thereof.

(h)

In addition to the penalties provided for in section 118-31, any vehicle which is illegally parked in a handicapped parking place on public or private property may be towed away or caused to be towed away by a proper county law enforcement officer at the expense of the owner of the vehicle or, if the vehicle is leased or rented, at the expense of the person responsible for payment on the lease or rental agreement.

(Res. of 5-8-89; Code 1977, § 3-24-109)