LTC 221-2024 Voluntary Disabled Parking Placard Registration ProgramMIAMI BEACH
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
LTC# LETTER TO COMMISSION
TO: Honorable Mayor Steven Meiner and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Rickelle Williams, Interim City Manager ru
DATE:
SUBJECT:
June 3, 2024
Voluntary Disabled Parking Placard Registration Program
The purpose of this Letter to Commission ("LTC") is to advise the Mayor and City Commission
("City Commission") that, pursuant to Ordinance No. 2024-4585 adopted by the City Commission
on January 31, 2024, the City of Miami Beach ("City") Parking Department will commence strict
enforcement of the Voluntary Disabled Parking Placard Registration Program ("Program") on
Monday, June 3, 2024, following a two (2)-month voluntary registration period and an educational
campaign.
The purpose of the Program is to discourage the fraudulent use of disabled placards in the City;
and it is important to note that the Program applies to the general public (residents and non-
residents). The Program applies exclusively to municipal parking spaces (garages, lots, and on-
street parking) and does not grant access to residential parking zones, where a separate permit
is required. Residents who reside in residential permitted zones must register their vehicle tag
numbers within their respected residential zones to utilize residential parking spaces.
City residents, employees and visitors who currently possess a disabled parking placard or
disabled license plate and wish to continue receiving special parking privileges must register their
disabled placard with the City. Voluntary registration for the Program commenced on April 1,
2024. Registrants must appear in person at the Miami Beach Customer Service Center, 1755
Meridian Avenue (first floor). To apply for a permit under the Program, applicants must submit the
following documentation:
• Disabled placard and placard registration;
• Driver's license or state identification;
• Vehicle registration; and
• Medical practitioner information, including the practitioner's license number
An application and consent form must be completed, signed, and notarized. The consent form
authorizes the City to verify information provided by the registrant with respect to the medical
practitioner who approved the issuance of a disabled placard. A notary public is available to
customers at time of registration. Permits under the Program expire on the same date as the
customer's disabled placard expiration date. To date, the City's Customer Service Center has
registered 753 vehicles under the Program.
Customers who have a disabled veteran license plate, a Florida toll exemption permit, or a vehicle
(
221-2024
DocuSign Envelope ID: E2627FA8-48A1-4B8A4-A2AD-4AE4EDF3C933
equipped with specialized equipment, such as ramps, lifts and foot or hand controls, are not
required to participate in the Program to retain their free parking benefits in municipal garages,
lots, or on-street parking.
Disabled placard or disabled license plate holders who choose not to participate in the Program
must pay standard parking rates in municipal garages, lots and on-street spaces. Pursuant to
Florida Statute 316.1964, those individuals will receive a maximum of four (4) hours of free on-
street parking. Beyond those hours, customers must pay the applicable rates in those on-street
parking areas.
On April 10, 2024, the City issued a press release regarding the Program (Attachment A). The
Parking Department worked with the Marketing and Communications Department to disseminate
information regarding the Program on the City's website and social media platforms. Public
outreach efforts are ongoing and will continue throughout the Program.
Since May 1, 2024, as part of the educational campaign to inform the community with regard to
the Program, Parking Enforcement Officers have been distributing warnings and flyers
(Attachment B) with information on the Program to vehicles displaying a disabled placard.
On Monday, June 3, 2024, the Parking Department will commence strict enforcement of the
Program, including the four (4)-hour maximum grace period of free on-street parking for
customers displaying disabled placards.
For more information regarding the Program, please contact Jos~ R. Gonz~lez, P.E.,
Transportation and Mobility Director/Interim Parking Director at josegonzalez@miamibeachfl_gov.
Attachments
Attachment A: Press Release
Attachment B: Program Flyer
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Attachment A
MIAMI BEACH
City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beoch, FL 33139, www.miamibeachfl.gov
OFFICE OF MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS, Tel 305.673.7575
Melissa Berthier, Email: melissaberthier@miamibeachfl.gov
Mott Kenny, Email: mattkenny@miamibeachfl.gov
Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 10, 2024
Voluntary Disabled Parking Registration Begins in Miami Beach
The city aims to discourage placard fraud-
Miami Beach, FL - Complimentary disabled parking registration began this month on Miami
Beach. The registration program is offered to residents and visitors who already possess a
disabled parking placard or disabled license plate and wish to continue receiving special
parking privileges next month when a planned enforcement change takes effect.
"We want to discourage people from knowingly breaking the law by using fraudulently obtained
placards in Miami Beach," explained Miami Beach City Commissioner Alex Fernandez, who
sponsored the legislation. "Fraud creates an additional hardship for everyone who is already
touched by disability. Our new registration requirement will help ensure the integrity of disabled
parking placards by allowing our enforcement officers to aggressively pursue and punish those
who selfishly exploit for personal gain parking resources that should be respected and reserved
for individuals with disabilities."
The voluntary Miami Beach registration program applies exclusively to municipal parking
spaces. Registrants must appear in person at the Miami Beach Customer Service Center, 1755
Meridian Avenue (first floor). An application and consent form must be completed, signed and
notarized. The consent form authorizes the city to verify information provided by the registrant
with respect to the medical practitioner who approved the issuance of a disabled permit.
People who have a disabled veteran license plate, Florida toll exemption permit or a vehicle
equipped with specialized equipment, such as ramps, lifts and foot or hand controls need not
participate in the program to retain their free parking benefits for municipal garages, lots,
facilities or on-street parking.
Disabled placard or disabled license plate holders who choose not to participate in the
voluntary registration program will have to pay standard parking rates in municipal garages,
lots and facilities. They will receive four hours of free on-street parking unless they exceed the
maximum time in those on-street parking areas in which a maximum allowable parking time
has been established and posted.
To apply for the voluntary registration program, applicants must bring the following
documentation to the Miami Beach Customer Service Center:
• Disabled placard and registration.
• Vehicle registration.
• Driver's license or state identification.
• Medical practitioner information, including the practitioner's license number.
We are committed to providing excellent public service and safety to all who live, work and play in our vibrant, topical, historic community
DocuSign Envelope ID: E2627FA8-48A1-4B8A-A2AD-4AE4EDF3C933
A notary public will be available at the Miami Beach Customer Service Center, open Monday
through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., with a daily closure between 12 p.m. to 1p.m.
For additional information, visit www.miamibeachfl.gov/disabled-parkinq-program.
To request this material in altemate format, sign language interpreter (fie-day notice required), information on access for persons with disabilities, and/ or any accommodation to review any document or participate in
an; ity sponsord proceedings, call 305.604.2AD4 (2232) and let for English or 2 for Spanish, then option 6; TTY users may all via 711 (Florida Relay Serie).
WVe are committed to providing excellent public service and safety to all who live, work and play in our vibrant, tropical, historic community
DocuSign Envelope ID: E2627FA8-48A 1-4B8A-A2AD-4AE4EDF3C933
Attachment B
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ENT ERIT
REGISTER NOW!
Voluntary Disabled Parking Program
REMOVE FROM MIRROR
BEFORE DRIVING VEHICLE
1 123456
The City of Miami Beach has initiated a voluntary registration
program allowing disabled permit holders to register their disabled
permits in order to continue receiving waived parking fees.
Applicants must register in person at the Miami Beach Customer Service Center,
located at 1755 Meridian Avenue, 1st Floor.
Please bring the following documentation:
• Disabled placard and registration.
• Vehicle registration.
• Driver's license or state identification.
• Medical practitioner information, including the practitioner's license number.
A notary public will be available at the Customer Service Center, open Monday
through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., with a daily closure between 12 p.m.
to 1 p.m.
Effective May 1, 2024, regular parking fees will apply at all municipal lots and
garages unless your disabled permit is registered under the City of Miami Beach
Voluntary Disabled Parking Program.
Learn more: www.miamibeachfl.gov/disabled-parking-program
b.
EXPIRES ON THIS DATE
04 / 24
MIAMI BEACH
PARKING DEPARTMENT