(Credit: Philadelphia Parking Authority Instagram @Philaparking)
The Philadelphia Parking Authority updated its People with Disabilities Parking Program, making it possible to apply for an assigned disability parking zone outside a resident’s home.
As of July 1, residents whose current parking zone is at least five years old — or new applicants — may apply for a designated accessible parking space directly outside their residence. Approved spaces are reserved for vehicles registered to the applicant, who may use other spots on the block only if their space is illegally occupied.
The application is available on the PPA’s website, with instructions on how to fill out and mail the form. A copy of a valid driver's license, Disabled Person Placard ID card and valid vehicle registration, displaying a disabled license plate, is also required, along with a physician's certification. According to the website, the approval process will take around two to four months.
Accessible parking is available around the city, outside schools, government buildings, hospitals, medical centers, cultural institutions and recreational facilities. The PPA created an interactive map of all available parking spaces reserved for disabled persons in Center City, available at philapark.org.
Each side of every hundred block with metered parking has at least one marked accessible space near a curb ramp. Drivers with disability plates have one free hour at all metered parking spaces before or after payment.
There is a $301 fine for parking in a handicapped space illegally.
To use the map, expand it using the arrows and scroll around to see the location and street numbers of all metered accessible parking in Center City.
