Accessible Disability (handicap) Parking Spaces

Use of Disability Parking Spaces:
Disability Parking Spaces are provided on streets and in parking lots for use by people with Disability Parking Permits, Placards or Plates. These spaces should be designated by signs bearing the international access symbol. There is a $100 FINE for parking in a disability / handicap parking space in Cambridge without a Disability Permit, Plate or Placard.

Requesting a Disability Parking Space on a public street:
To request a designated Disability Parking Space on the street near your residence, contact the Cambridge Traffic, Parking and Transportation Department ( 617-349-4700 voice, 617-349-4621 TTY or 617-349-4747 fax) for an application or get the information from their web site at http://www.cambridgema.gov/~Traffic/other_info.html.  In general, you will need to provide a written statement from the owner of your home indicating that you have either no off-street parking where you live, or why the available off-street parking is inadequate or unavailable for your use. You will also need to provide a photocopy of your vehicle registration with disability status and/or vehicle registration and Disability Placard number, and documentation from your physician.

Accessible Parking Spaces in private, public and commercial lots
- per requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board: All parking lots for customers and visitors (with the exception of valet parking) should have accessible spaces for vehicles with proper identification. Parking lots for employees (built or altered after January 26, 1992) should also have accessible spaces. If an employee with a disability needs such an accommodation in an older parking lot, he or she should request it of the employer. In most cases, for existing parking lots that have not been altered since 1992, it is considered "readily achievable" under the ADA to provide accessible parking consistent with these regulations. When parking lots are altered, repainted, or re-striped, they should be brought into conformance with these regulations.

Parking Space Size:
Accessible spaces should be at least 96 inches (8 feet) wide, with clearly marked access aisles not less than 60 inches (5 feet) wide. Two accessible spaces may share a common aisle. One in eight accessible spaces (minimum of one) should be a "van-accessible" space, 96 inches (8 feet) wide, with an access aisle 96 inches (8 feet) wide allowing a van to operate a lift. Or, all spaces may be "universal design" spaces 132 inches (11 feet) wide with a 60-inch (5 feet) wide access aisle.

Location:
These spaces should be in a level area (no more than 2% slope in any direction) and located so as to provide the shortest safe and accessible route of travel to an accessible entrance. Where there is more than one accessible entrance, the spaces should be proportionally distributed near each accessible entrance. Sidewalks at such spaces should have curb cuts at each access aisle, so a person is not required to enter the stream of traffic to get to a sidewalk.

Signage:
Provide a sign at each accessible space showing the international symbol of accessibility, as in the example above. “Van-accessible” spaces should have an additional sign mounted underneath which reads "VAN-ACCESSIBLE". Signs should be provided so that the top edge of the sign is mounted at a height between 60 inches to 96 inches (5 feet to 8 feet) off the ground, in order to maximize visibility.

Lots for Specialized Facilities::
Ten percent (10%) of the total number of parking spaces in the lot for an Outpatient Medical Facility should be accessible. Twenty percent (20%) of the total number of parking spaces in facilities specializing in treatment or services for people with mobility Impairments should be accessible.

Parking Space Numbers: