Žilina Council Revokes Reserved Parking for Some Residents with Disabilities, Sparking Outcry
A controversial decision by the Žilina City Council to amend regulations regarding reserved parking spaces for individuals with severe disabilities has ignited a wave of criticism from affected residents.
The Žilina City Council approved changes last September to its generally binding regulation on the use of public space, impacting the allocation of reserved parking. The revised rules now stipulate that only individuals holding a ŤZP card and receiving an official determination of dependence on personal vehicle transportation are eligible for dedicated parking spaces. This means residents with disabilities who do not meet this specific criterion will lose their previously assigned spots. The current reserved spaces will remain valid until March 31st, or until regulated parking is implemented in their respective locations.
The city government explained that the shift is intended to create more accessible parking options for all individuals with disabilities, transitioning from individual reserved spaces to general parking areas available near apartment buildings and distributed evenly throughout residential areas. However, the changes have been met with significant resistance from those who will be impacted. Many residents report having initially funded the installation of their reserved parking signage – including the purchase of traffic signs – and now face additional costs for removal.
What is the Deadline for Compliance?
The city has issued an official notice to affected individuals, outlining the new regulations and requiring proof of dependence on personal transportation. To retain their reserved parking space, residents must submit documentation from the relevant office of labor, social affairs, and family by the end of March confirming their need for a personal vehicle.
However, the most contentious aspect of the announcement is the requirement that those who do not meet the new criteria, or fail to submit the necessary documentation, must remove the existing parking signage at their own expense by the end of March. This obligation has triggered a fresh wave of complaints.
One affected resident estimated the cost of initial signage installation at approximately 190 euros, expressing concern about the financial burden of removal. “I have a bad feeling about it, because after 2 valve transplants, I have a pacemaker and when I leave work at around 9:10 p.m., I see that there is not a single free space in the vicinity of my residence, so I can’t imagine how I will walk so far from my car home. There will be general disabled parking spaces somewhere, but I won’t be sure that I will park in them,” the resident shared.
Responsibility for Sign Removal Lies with Residents
City Hall confirmed that the reserved parking signs are privately owned by the applicants and, therefore, their removal is the responsibility of the individual, without any financial assistance from the city. According to city spokeswoman Zuzana Ondrášová, the cost of removal will vary depending on the scope of work involved.
“The amount of costs depends on the scope of work and the method of disposal of the removed markings. These are mainly the costs of physical work (removing the post from the ground and covering the horizontal traffic marking with paint), or the costs of consumables (paint). Additional costs may arise if the owner of the traffic marking ensures its disposal in accordance with the Waste Act,” Ondrášová stated.
Beyond the removal of signage, affected individuals have no other new obligations. Those no longer eligible for a dedicated space will utilize the general disabled parking spaces available with a valid parking permit. Some of these spaces will remain in their original locations, but without specific branding, while others will be relocated to improve accessibility.
Related reading
