What You Need to Know About Birmingham's Accessible Parking Policy

BIRMINGHAM, MI — Birmingham officials began designating some 70 accessible parking spaces throughout the Central Business District on Saturday as part of the city’s new accessible parking policy, adopted to comply with state and federal laws as well as being more consistent with neighboring communities. This change will provide more reserved, designated handicap accessible parking than ever before offered in Birmingham.

The city’s new parking policy will apply to any public street that has individually marked parking spaces and all municipal lots. Under the new regulations, the city will provide reserved, marked accessible spaces at the ratio of at least one parking space per 25 that already exist on any city block. With the addition of these new dedicated accessible spaces, the spaces will be metered and subject to time limitations and fees. Consistent with neighboring communities, parking for free at any meter or at yellow curbed zones is not permitted.

The construction of the new designated accessible parking spaces will be complete in early November. Once all the accessible parking spaces are clearly marked and ready for use, the police department will begin temporarily issuing advisory warnings to anyone not in compliance with the new policy. Multiple warnings will result in a violation being issued, however, strict enforcement will not commence until January of 2017.

“We’re pleased to offer accessible parking spaces that comply with the new ADA requirements,” Birmingham City Manager Joe Valentine said in a news release. “We recognize it will take some time for users to become familiar with this change, and have created the educational warning period to allow everyone to get acclimated to the new requirements.”

Access detailed information, including a map showing the location of the new accessible parking spaces and an FAQ regarding the City’s new Accessible Parking Program here.

Photo courtesy of the city of Birmingham