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Missoula updates disabled‑parking fines to match state law (HB 38)
Summary
Following state law changes that took effect Oct. 1, Missoula City Council updated local ordinance language to set disabled‑parking fines at $150 for a first violation, $250 for a second and $500 for third and subsequent violations; council approved the ordinance unanimously.
City Council updated Missoula’s parking penalties on Oct. 6 to align with a recent change in Montana state law (House Bill 38) that raised penalties for disabled‑parking violations.
Jody Pilgrim, director of the Missoula Parking Commission, told council the state law established a tiered fine schedule. Under the city’s updated ordinance language, the first disabled‑parking violation carries a $150 fine; a second violation is $250; third and subsequent violations are $500. The state law took effect Oct. 1 and the city’s ordinance language was updated to match that schedule.
Why it matters: Raising fines for disabled‑parking violations is intended to strengthen enforcement and deter misuse of accessible parking. The parking director said the change is mandatory under state law and the municipal code language needed to be revised to conform.
Questions and clarifications
- Councilmember Gwen asked whether the escalating fine schedule resets after a year; Pilgrim replied the city’s existing enforcement system escalates by license plate and that the state law sets no reset period. Pilgrim added that enforcement is by license plate, not by person, so a different license plate on the vehicle would be treated independently.
Public process and vote
- The Land Use/Committee chair moved to approve an ordinance amending the relevant municipal code section to reflect the new fine structure. The council held a public hearing with no comments and passed the ordinance by voice vote; the motion passed unanimously.
Code references and timing
- Staff said the state law (HB 38) went into effect Oct. 1 and the city adopted the fine structure on Oct. 1; council updated municipal code section language (identified in packet as sections 10‑51‑40(a)(3) and 10‑54‑1‑48 in the staff materials) to reflect the new amounts.
Next steps
- The Missoula Parking Commission will continue enforcement using the updated fines and the city will track compliance and enforcement outcomes under the new state law.
