Fake disabled parking permits on the rise, say bylaw officers

More people in Ottawa appear to be going to great — and illegitimate — lengths to secure the premium parking real estate rightly reserved for people with disabilities.

Ottawa Bylaw Services tweeted a warning Friday to anyone trying to take advantage of reserved parking spaces for disabled people without an official permit. The department, which deals with everything from calls about animal licensing to noise complaints, said it has noticed an increase in the number of fake accessible parking permits on vehicles in and around Ottawa.

Bylaw officers had seized several of the fake permits from people trying to snag parking spaces a little closer to the front door of the establishment they were visiting.

The department warned motorists against using fake permits and encouraged people to leave accessible parking spots for those who are actually in need of them.

“Poor photocopies are easy to spot, colouring may be another indication. We have other techniques, but we can’t give them all away!” Ottawa Bylaw Services responded to a Twitter user who asked about fake permit signs to keep an eye out for.

According to Ottawa bylaws, the fine for parking in an accessible parking spot is $450. There’s a second, more expensive fine for misuse of an accessible parking permit.

Ottawans with temporary or permanent disabilities can obtain an accessible parking permit application by calling Service Ontario.

The permits, which must be displayed on a vehicle’s dashboard or sun visor, allow holders to park in reserved spaces in lots, and up to four hours on the street and in noparking zones. Off-street, permit holders are required to pay the same parking fee as other lot users unless otherwise indicated.