Parking your car can be an ordeal, especially if you’re out shopping on a busy day. We all know the frustration of thinking we see an available space, only to find that a smaller car or a motorcycle is occupying it. Perhaps even more frustrating, however, is driving up to a space only to find a sign stating that that it’s reserved in some way. You’re likely familiar with the blue accessible parking spaces, so you know they’re unavailable. And other reserved spaces usually have signage explaining who can park in them and when. But what if you’ve found a purple parking space? Can you park in it?

What Does a Purple Parking Space Mean?

According to CS/HB 1029 from the Florida State House of Representatives, “around the United States parking spaces are being created in parking lots, which are reserved for combat injured veterans.” This bill went into effect July 1, 2021.

Why pick purple for these spaces? The Florida bill explains that it’s a nod to the Purple Heart medal, which is “presented to service members who have been wounded or killed as a result of enemy action while serving in the U.S. military.”

Can I Park in a Purple Parking Space?

When it comes to reserved parking spaces or accessible parking spaces, you cannot park in them without consequences. Unless you meet the stated criteria, you run the risk of having to deal with repercussions. Parking enforcement may ticket your car, tow it away, or do something else, like fine you. For accessible spaces, fitting the criteria means having the correct placard to display. Meanwhile, for reserved spaces, you must follow the stated rules to use the space. But what about a purple parking space?

Per the Florida bill, “while not officially reserved or protected, these spaces are designed to honor those who were wounded in combat.” So you can technically park in them even if you’re not a Purple Heart medal recipient. However, politeness dictates that you should leave the space available if possible.

However, this isn’t the case across the board. These spaces are being designed at the local levels rather than the federal. That means that it’s up to the cities and states to decide how they want to enforce their rules. The Berkeley Heights Township of New Jersey is much stricter about who can use the parking spaces in question. If you don’t have the proper stickers designating you a combat-wounded veteran or a Purple Heart medal recipient, you’ll face penalties. The township can fine you $253 for a first offense and $253 plus 90 days of community service for further offenses.

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Rebecca Wright Brown
Rebecca has been her dad’s DIY assistant since she was old enough to walk. Prior to Family Handyman, she worked as a freelance writer and editor across industries.   
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