“How can I get a handicap parking space in front of my house?” is a commonly asked question. A lot of disabled drivers in the U.S. live in properties that do not have a private parking garage attached or a private driveway. These people need to find parking on the street in front of their house. Not having a designated disabled space in close proximity to their home can cause a lot of hassle.
“Can I put a handicap sign in front of my house?” “Can I rent or buy a parking space outside my house?” We get asked these, as well as other similar questions, a lot. Many disabled parking permit holders do not know how to go about arranging an on-street disabled space in front of their house, so we’re here to tell you everything you need to know.
Disabled parking permit holders whose homes have a private parking garage are guaranteed a residential disabled parking space.
All private residential parking garages are required by law to have disabled spaces. If a garage does not have enough disabled spaces for the number of permit holders that live in the building, more can be requested.
Handicap spaces are usually wider than a regular space. A handicap space must be at least 96 inches wide and have an adjacent access aisle. There are van-accessible and non-van-accessible disabled spaces, the difference between the two being the width of the access aisle.
A handicap parking space is reserved for disabled parking permit holders only. It is illegal for a non-permit-holder to park in a disabled space.
Each state and municipality runs its own disabled parking program, so the specific details vary state by state. In most municipalities, it is possible to get a disabled parking space in close proximity to your home that can be used only by residential disabled parking permit holders.
It is not a good idea to install a handicap parking sign in front of your house without consulting local authorities. You are much better off working with local authorities to arrange an official designated disabled space close to your house.
Most municipalities have a program in place through which disabled residents can request a disabled parking space in close proximity to their homes. Each area’s application process is different, so you will need to consult with your local disabled parking authorities, and they will guide you through the application process.
Some areas do not have an official residential disabled parking program in place. If you live in one of these areas, you can still make a request to your local disabled parking authorities.
In most cases, your need will be recognized and a disabled space will be installed – perhaps not directly in front of your home, but in reasonably close proximity. It is important to note that these spaces may be usable to all disabled permit holders, not just local residents.
In some cases, there will be an initial application fee to have a handicap space installed. This can be anything from $20 to $100. There is often also an annual maintenance fee in many areas. This can be approximately $25 each year.
Some municipalities that do not have an official residential disabled parking program in place will ask the permit holder to pay the installation costs for their disabled space.
In order to arrange a disabled space in close proximity to your address, you will need:
If you have not yet applied for a disabled parking permit, the best way to do it is through DisabledParking.com. The team will arrange an online consultation with a local medical professional who will help you with your application. The process is quick and easy.
