Disabled Parking

The City of Tampa Parking Division makes every effort to comply with guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1993. As a result of the periodic changes being made to disabled parking regulations, the Parking Division elects to remain current with the changes by attending the International Parking Institute Conference and Trade Show held throughout a number of major US cities on an annual basis. Additionally, the Parking Division maintains an active membership status with the Florida Parking Association.

Disabled Parking On-Street

The present on-street disabled parking inventory consists of thirty (30)-designated spaces located throughout the downtown core area. Florida State Statute Chapter 553.5041(4b) states that there must be one (1) accessible parking space for each 150 metered on-street parking spaces provided by state agencies and political subdivisions. The City of Tampa meets and exceeds this total as we currently provide one (1) accessible space per every 54 on-street spaces within the downtown core.

With the April 2008 removal of on-street meters in Ybor City, the Parking Division has maintained three (3) designated, on-street disabled parking spaces within the historic Ybor City District. The City of Tampa meets and exceeds the State Statute requirements by providing one (1) accessible space per every 67 on-street spaces within the historic district. Providing on-street disabled spaces within the historic district remains a challenge as many of the streets have retained the historic brick-paved element. ADA guidelines require an accessibility route that maintains a level surface and is free of obstruction. In an effort to accommodate the increased need for disabled parking in the historic district, the Parking Division allows a disabled patron to park free of charge (up to four hours) when parking at any of the three (3) City owned and operated metered surface lots. Additionally, the Ybor City Development Corporation and the Parking Division continue to explore more opportunities for additional on-street disabled parking locations.

Florida State Statute 316.1964 (5) states when an on-street parking meter restricts the duration of time that a vehicle may be parked, a vehicle properly displaying a disabled parking permit is allowed a maximum of 4 hours at no charge.
 

Disabled Parking Off-Street

As the Parking Division continues to improve the appearance and physical conditions of the City owned and operated parking facilities, we are focusing on the disabled parking environment within each facility. The guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1993 states that one in every four spaces, but not less than one, must be designated as van accessible. Additionally, the vertical clearance of each garage must be equivalent to 114 inches (9 ½ feet). Unfortunately, several of the older designed garages only offer a 6’ 8” clearance. In such cases, we are unable to offer van accessible spaces and therefore must offer an equivalent solution in a nearby surface lot or on-street space. Please be advised that the following garages do offer an appropriate height for van accessible parking spaces: South Regional Garage, William F. Poe Garage, and the Fernando Noriega Jr./Palm Avenue Garage.

For information regarding disabled parking regulations, please see Florida State Statutes 316.1955 and 316.1964

Please contact the County tax collector's office to obtain a disabled placard or tag