According to federal law, ALL states and local governments must honor handicapped plates and placards issued by other states, as well as those from other countries. Read it at the following link, it's at the very bottom of the page under "Sec. 1235.8 Reciprocity.":

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/legsregs/directives/fapg/cfr1235.htm

However (there's always a "however", right?) under the 1991 ADA standards, the only accessible parking spaces regulated were in parking lots and off-street parking. On-street parking was not regulated; design standards require room for wheelchair lifts, and most streets aren't wide enough. I know New York City has special on-street permits, and trying to use a "normal" Disabled Parking placard in on-street will get you a ticket.

However (we've heard this somewhere, before), I've read where the 2010 ADA update now includes on-street accessible spots - but I haven't found anything in the information I've read. Here are a few links... feel free to look around:

Search this for "R214 On-Street Parking Spaces" ("On-street parking" parking that is marked and/or metered) and "R309 On-Street Parking Spaces" (e.g. Parallel (R309.2), Perpendicular and Angled Parking Spaces (R309.3) and more), BUT I haven't found a "final rule" version:
http://www.access-board.gov/prowac/nprm.htm

More, but less on parking:
http://www.ada.gov/regs2010/2010ADAStandards/Guidance2010ADAstandards.htm

Good luck!

It is my recollection from my days on the Traffic & Parking Commission that handicap placards do not exempt anyone from the City's overnight parking prohibition which is Citywide. It sounds like your citation is technically correct. It doesn't sound like you were cited for using an invalid handicap placard, it sounds like you were cited for parking overnight without a permit or exemption and according to State Law, a handicap placard does not qualify.

Please feel free to call Chad Lynn, the City of Beverly Hills Director of Parking Operations, and he will gladly discuss it with you and walk you through the process of challenging the citation if you wish.

This is Gary Simon. The reason cited for the ticket was the out-of-State placard. Tickets are not issued, at least in BH, to overnight parkers with California placards -- if you drive around BH you will see scores of cars parked overnight with California placards. The outcome is that I actually paid the ticket within an hour of finding it on my windshield. According to my bank, the check cleared before the ink was dry further supporting my position that these overnight parking regulations are about revenue and not safety. Although I had only given litigation a brief, passing thought, some of the comments make me think that a lawsuit would make sense. I will review the matter again and might even consult with a Civil Rights attorney (could you imagine the field day someone like Gloria Allred with have with this!!!!!)

Mea Culpa, the City does indeed issue overnight exemptions and permits to those who live in certain permit restricted zones. I believe that only multifamily areas qualify for overnight permits because many of our old 1920's and 1930's apartment buildings do not have adequate parking for the residents. Single family homes have driveways and garages therefore in theory they do not need to park on the street overnight.

@Gary Simon
Have you put in a call to the Beverly Hills Director of Parking Operations yet? Seems that is the best way to proceed from here.
Best,
Marie

It's truly a bad thing if this gentleman got a ticket he did not deserve, but may I digress a little here -- these handicapped placards are widely used and abused, so it is encouraging that BH is trying to enforce the rules. My street has parking restrictions and I routinely see young, healthy people park with the placards and merrily go on their way. Steve Lopez recently exposed such behavior in his LATimes column, and commenters pointed out that it can be difficult to determine if a person is indeed handicapped or is picking up a disabled person, as the law allows. I'll be a crumudgeon here and bet that a majority of parking with these placards is not for legitimate purposes. I don't say anything to abusers to avoid confrontation and have called parking enforcement a few select times - but let's be honest, people who abuse such a privlege should be ashamed of themselves. They are the reason people such as this gentleman get caught up in ticket-writing efforts.

A hard lesson learned.

George Vreeland Hill

My understanding is that in single-family areas, specific exemptions to the overnight parking ban are made for people with disabled placards. However, such exemptions would only apply to residents with disabled placards, who are supposed to park directly in front of their houses. Disabled placards are not supposed to grant a blanket exemption for anyone who wants to avoid the City's general ban on overnight parking.

I have to agree with DoughBoy that the abuse of disabled placards has truly gotten out of hand. We are actively looking at ways to curb the abuse, including working with our Sacramento lobbyists to try to get appropriate legislation introduced and passed at the State level.

Councilmember Mirisch summed it up very well. To all residents, it is always best to call the City first if you feel you were mistakenly or unfairly issued a citation as we do have a "1 time forgiveness" policy for certain circumstances. I imagine this unfortunate situation that Gary Simon experienced probably would have qualified. If for some reason that doesn't deal with the issue...then of course you always have the option to contest the citation as well. Something for us all to keep in mind for the future.