What Are Purple Parking Spaces?

Have you ever been driving through a grocery store or mall parking lot and noticed a parking space painted bright purple? You are probably used to seeing blue lines for disabled parking, but these purple spaces are popping up all over the country.

If you have ever wondered what they mean and who is allowed to park in them, here is a simple guide written in plain, everyday language.

What Are Purple Parking Spaces?

Purple parking spaces are specially reserved parking spots meant to honor and assist combat-wounded military veterans.

Specifically, they are dedicated to veterans who have received the Purple Heart. The Purple Heart is a special military medal given to brave service members who were hurt or wounded while fighting for our country in the military.

These spaces are a small way for businesses and communities to say “thank you” to the men and women who sacrificed their health for our freedom.

How to Spot a Purple Parking Space

These parking spots are very easy to see if you know what to look for. They usually have two main features:

• The Color: The lines of the parking space are painted bright purple. Sometimes, the entire concrete space is painted solid purple.

• The Sign: There is almost always a sign posted at the front of the spot. The sign usually features a picture of the Purple Heart medal—which has a profile image of George Washington on it—and text that reads “Reserved for Combat Wounded” or “Purple Heart Recipient.”

Who is Allowed to Park There?

These spots are reserved strictly for veterans who were wounded in combat.

Important Note: These spaces are different from regular blue handicapped spaces. A veteran does not necessarily need to have a state-issued disabled placard to use a purple space, as long as they are a combat-wounded Purple Heart recipient.

What if you park there by mistake?

Because these spots are usually put up voluntarily by private businesses (like supermarkets, hardware stores, or colleges) to show respect, there is not always a formal police fine for parking in them. However, some towns have passed local laws that do issue fines or require special veteran license plates to park there.

The best rule of thumb is simple: if you are not a combat-wounded veteran, leave the space open for someone who is.

Why These Spaces Matter

For many older veterans or those living with physical limitations from their time in service, walking long distances across a busy parking lot can be painful and difficult.

These spaces are placed close to the front entrance of buildings to make their errands a little easier. More than that, seeing these purple spots helps keep the sacrifices of our veterans fresh in everyone’s mind, sparking awareness and grateful conversations right in our own neighborhoods.