Washington

  1. Criteria for determining the disability: Unable to walk 200 feet without stopping to rest; Unable to walk without the use of or assistance from a brace, cane, crutch, another person, prosthetic device, wheelchair, or other assistive device; restricted by lung disease; restricted by a cardiac condition; restricted by an arthritic, neurological, or orthopedic condition; has a disability resulting from an acute sensitivity to automobile emissions which limits or impairs the ability to walk.

  2. Placard design: A removable windshield placard bearing the international symbol of access and an individual serial number, along with a special identification card bearing the name and date of birth of the person to whom the placard is issued, and the placard's serial number.

  3. Parking space provisions: Each parking space will be marked by a vertical sign, between thirty-six and eighty-four inches off the ground, with the international symbol of access, whose colors are white on a blue background and the notice "State disabled parking permit required."

  4. Enforcement/Penalties: Any person that is not handicapped who intentionally and falsely represents itself in order to get such a permit - a gross misdemeanor punishable by a term in jail of up to one or a fine of up to $5,000, or both; Any person that uses the placard when not entitled to it, blocks the access to the disabled parking, parks in the parking space designated for persons with disabilities when not entitled to it - traffic infraction punishable by a fine of $250; For any second or subsequent violations - in addition to the monetary fine, the violator must complete a minimum of 40 hours of community service for a nonprofit organization that serves the disabled community or persons having disabling diseases or any other community service that may sensitize the violator to the needs and obstacles faced by persons who have disabilities.

Links to Washington Statutes: Washington-46.16.381.htm, Washington-46.61.581.htm.

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