Handicap Parking Permit Abuse?

[kwest]

What is the name of your state? Florida

In our condo complex - there is a tenant (single occupant) that has two vehicles. The apartment has an assigned, covered parking space in which the tenant parks one vehicle there and the tenant parks the second vehicle in a handicap parking space. There are the hanging handicap parking permits in both vehicles (I have not investigated closely if they are duplicates or not). One vehicle is a small pickup truck which may be associated with the tenant's business or work. The handicap parking space and the assigned parking space are about equal distance to the elevator.

The thing is this tenant always keeps one vehicle in the handicap parking space and leaves the assigned parking space empty when gone. Not sure how the vehicles are registered, but the tenant is the only driver. The tenant uses both vehicles often, so is constantly switching the vehicles around to keep the unused vehicle parked in the handicap parking space.

So if the truck is in the handicap space - the tenant will move the truck out of that space a short distance (often briefly parking along the bushes), get out of the truck - walk to the assigned space and move the other vehicle (car) from the assigned space to the handicap parking, get out and walk back to the truck and drive off. Then later, if the tenant wants to use the car, the reverse happens - parking the truck close to the handicap space, walk to the car - move it from the handicap space to the assigned space, walk back to the truck and move it into the handicap space.

This is an older person that walks without the aid of any devices - I understand fully that not all disabilities are "visible" and apparent - however, the degree of effort and walking back and forth that is involved to manipulate the vehicles as to always keep one of the vehicles occupying the handicap space is unbelievable - this happens on a daily basis - often twice a day. I should be able to do so much exercise!

This has become apparent because in this building are other handicap individuals - as well as guests, and the normal parking spaces are difficult, especially for the wheel chair bound.

Is this person doing something illegal - or is it just immoral / unethical? The amount of walking this person does back and forth in moving cars is more walking distance than if simply parking in closeby regular parking spaces. There is adequate parking / plenty of regular spaces.

The obvious answer is more handicap spaces - which was brought up at the last Board meeting - however, some do not think more spaces are needed - and asked why more spaces are being recommended - so this whole situation came up for public discussion.

Any advice / direction would be appreciated.

[The Occultist]

Possibly unethical on his part, but no, not illegal.

[Ozark_Sophist]

Occultist is correct if the driver is to whom the handicap placards have been assigned. If the other resident is the individual with the disability, there may be some issues.

[kwest]

this is one resident with 2 vehicles - each vehicle has a moveable handicap placard - I just have not peered into the car to determine if each placard has the same numbers (duplicates) or if they are different permits.

I guess if someone can have duplicate permits for each vehicle - it is more of an ethical issue - if it is not a duplicate, then I guess it would be misuse of someone else's permit.

[Ozark_Sophist]

Then it really depends on your state statutes. From your description, it does not appear he is using the space as intended. Still, it is improbable anything could be accomplished legally unless he is using someone else's placard. The condo association may be able to define use of handicap spaces as actual use, but that is just speculation.

[VeronicaLodge]

my question is "what business of yours is this?" I gather you aren't the tenant and you arent the landlord and you arent law enforcement. myob.

[kwest]

Originally Posted by VeronicaLodge

my question is "what business of yours is this?" I gather you aren't the tenant and you arent the landlord and you arent law enforcement. myob.

if you do not wish to be constructive, then please follow your own advice and myob.

I am a condo owner and sought the easy solution of simply asking for more parking handicap spaces - it is only when some resisted the need for more handicap spaces that the situation came to light, so now the discussion is whether to resolve the situation via legal routes or add more handicap spaces. I have no problem with more handicap spaces but it is not my decision alone.

As an owner, the well being and upkeep of this community is my concern as with all owners. Watching handicap spaces being abused in this community while visitors and other residents must struggle is my concern from a simple human compassion standpoint.