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hazard include parking in fire lanes, emergency vehicle access areas, or clearly posted no-parking zones.
To prevent unfair penalties, the bill provides protections for disabled parking permit holders against towing and ticketing solely because the vehicle occupies more than one parking space or exceeds standard parking dimensions. Public and private property owners and towing companies must make reasonable efforts to determine whether a vehicle meets the criteria highlighted in the bill prior to ticketing or towing.
The bill passed in the House on March 4, 2026, and is set to take effect on July 1, 2026, if approved by the legislature and ultimately signed by the governor.
Ultimately, this legislative change would help drivers with disabilities who need extra room to safely enter or exit their vehicles. However, critics argue the broader issue remains the widespread abuse of disabled parking permits. Most recently in Miami, Tax Collector Daniel Fernandez and law enforcement issued a crackdown revoking nearly 1,000 disabled parking permits in early 2026. Under Florida law, fraudulent use of a disabled permit can result in up to one year in jail, a $ 1,000 fine, or both, along with a four-year ban on obtaining a new permit. n
Author: Amy Currotto – Banker Lopez Gassler P. A.
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