- Massachusetts Office on Disability
To: Mayors, Boards of Selectmen, Town Managers, Municipal Parking Coordinators, and Municipal ADA Coordinators
From: Mary Mahon McCauley, Executive Director, Massachusetts Office on Disability
RE: The applicability of Chapter 40 Sections 22A and 22C to Municipal Kiosk Parking
Date: August 31, 2022
The purpose of this memorandum is to clarify the law regarding municipal parking meters and pay-to-park systems for people using disability plates and placards.
Chapter 40 of the Massachusetts General Laws allows municipalities to have metered parking spots both on-street and off-street in lots. M.G.L. c. 40, Sections 22A and 22C. Individuals with disability plates or placards issued by the RMV under Chapter 90, Section 2 of the Massachusetts General Laws are exempt from paying parking fees in municipal metered spots. Id.
Over the past decade, some municipalities have moved away from individually metered parking spots both on-street and in municipal parking lots and have replaced individual meters with kiosks or web-based systems for collecting parking fees. If these kiosks and web-based systems collect parking fees based on time parked in the spot, they are considered “metered parking” in the same way as an individually metered spot.
Therefore, individuals with disability plates or placards are exempt from paying meter fees at municipal kiosks or via web-based systems in the same way they are exempt from paying meter fees at more traditional municipal parking meters.
This guidance does not apply to parking in privately-owned lots.
Municipalities who have questions about parking rules for individuals with disability plates or placards are encouraged to call us at 617-727-7440.
