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DelawareHS 1 for HB 48153rd General Assembly (2024–2026)House

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLES 9, 21, AND 22 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO ACCESSIBLE PARKING SPACES.

Sponsored By: DeShanna U Neal (Democratic)

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.

Deadlines to upgrade accessible parking spaces

New accessible spaces installed after the law's effective date must meet its design and construction rules. Existing spaces must comply when restriped, repainted, resurfaced, or otherwise changed after that date, or within five years, whichever comes first. Lots with 25 or fewer spaces and spaces in a national register district or national historic area need not comply until changed after the effective date. Required signs must comply within two years after the effective date.

Higher fines for accessible parking violations

The mandatory fine for a first accessible-parking violation rises from $200 to $250. A later similar offense carries a $500 fine, up from $300, or community service instead.

Clearer signs and reserved mobility spaces

Accessible-space signs must be at least 12 inches wide and 18 inches tall, with their bottoms at least 60 inches high. They must show the access symbol, disability-use wording, and current maximum fines; van spaces also need a “Van Accessible” label. Access aisles need no-parking signs, blue borders, and contrasting diagonal stripes. Space identification is not required at sites with four or fewer total spaces, or for spaces assigned to specific homes or sleeping units. For every three van-accessible spaces required by federal law, one must be marked for wheelchair or scooter users only, unless this violates a zoning or building code's minimum parking-space rule.

Stronger protections for accessible parking users

The law covers spaces or zones on public or private property that owners or renters designate for vehicles used by people with disabilities. Drivers cannot park in striped areas or access aisles within or beside these spaces. A person charged with a violation cannot use minor differences, including a missing sign, as a defense when the space is otherwise clearly marked. Accessible spaces cannot have parking time limits, except when they are metered.

Better accessible parking, excluding street spaces

Accessible spaces must meet the law's standards, applicable federal rules, and applicable local and statewide building codes. Spaces must be closest to an accessible entrance along the shortest accessible route, unless local fire codes prevent this. Owners or operators must maintain spaces and aisles, keep aisles clear, and remove snow, ice, and debris as soon as practical. Governments can set stricter standards, and public or private groups can provide extra accessible spaces, but neither is required. These new standards do not cover on-street parking or spaces along public roads or streets.

Parking permits, checks, and compliance fines

Delaware must set construction and upkeep rules; all three counties and incorporated municipalities must adopt permit, compliance-check, and enforcement rules. New or changed accessible spaces generally need a permit from the local authority overseeing commercial-building work; facilities covered by the Architectural Accessibility Act need an Architectural Accessibility Board approval letter instead. Local authorities may waive later permits for restriping, repainting, or resurfacing only if the lot received a permit under this law after its effective date, the plan stays unchanged, and the property remains compliant. After permitted work, the issuing agency must verify compliance through a site visit or documents and photos, with a site visit required when that evidence is insufficient. Local rules must require a written warning before penalties or other enforcement; permit violations can bring civil fines up to $500 each, but the responsible party gets 90 days to fix them before a fine. Municipalities can use county signage rules or their own rules that are no less strict.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • DeShanna U Neal

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Debra Heffernan

    Democratic • House

  • Kendra Johnson

    Democratic • House

  • Eric Morrison

    Democratic • House

  • Nicole Poore

    Democratic • Senate

  • Cyndie Romer

    Democratic • House

  • Melanie Ross Levin

    Democratic • House

  • Claire Snyder-Hall

    Democratic • House

  • John "Jack" Walsh

    Democratic • Senate

  • David L. Wilson

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. HS 2 for HB 48 - Signed by Governor

    9/25/2025Governor

  2. HS 2 for HB 48 - Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES

    6/30/2025Senate

  3. HS 2 for HB 48 - Lifted From Table in Senate

    6/30/2025Senate

  4. HS 2 for HB 48 - Laid On Table in Senate

    6/30/2025Senate

  5. HS 2 for HB 48 - Reported Out of Committee (Environment, Energy & Transportation) in Senate with 2 Favorable, 3 On Its Merits

    6/18/2025Senate

  6. HS 2 for HB 48 - Assigned to Environment, Energy & Transportation Committee in Senate

    6/17/2025Senate

  7. HS 2 for HB 48 - Passed By House. Votes: 27 YES 7 NO 2 NOT VOTING 5 ABSENT

    6/17/2025House

  8. HS 2 for HB 48 - - Passed In House by Voice Vote

    6/17/2025House

  9. Substituted in House by HS 2 for HB 48

    6/10/2025House

  10. Reported Out of Committee (Health & Human Development) in House with 8 Favorable, 1 On Its Merits

    5/14/2025House

  11. Adopted in lieu of the original bill HB 48, and Assigned to Health & Human Development Committee in House

    4/17/2025House

Bill Text

  • Current

    4/17/2025

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