Board Wishes to Grant Exclusive Use of Handicapped Parking Space to Unit Owner

D.B. from New Haven County writes:

Dear Mister Condo,

The association installed a handicapped spot per owner’s request. He is upset since visitors are occasionally parking in it. Can we put the unit number on it?

Mister Condo replies:

D.B., the association is free to enforce the handicapped parking spaces in their association-owned parking lots as they see fit. If non-handicapped cars are parking in handicapped spaces, they can be towed at owner expense, especially if there are signs indicating that non-handicapped cars will be towed from handicapped designated spaces. However, just because there is a handicapped space that was set up by the Board at an owner’s request, that doesn’t make the spot his. Other handicapped unit owners (and/or guests depending on the parking policy) with properly marked handicapped placards may also use the space. Generally speaking, it is “first come/first served”. However, if the Board wishes to designate a space for the specific use of one resident, it could try. However, don’t be surprised of other unit owners balk at the idea. After all, if everyone else is fighting for the limited spaces available at the association, they would be right to call foul for any single unit owner getting special treatment. Shared association parking is at a premium; the Board has a duty to protect the rights of all unit owners to use the amenity. All the best!