{ "id": "nexus-ext-1-0007-123970", "citation": "Res. 10096-2008 Sala Constitucional", "section": "nexus_decisions", "doc_type": "constitutional_decision", "title_es": "Obligación municipal de construir aceras accesibles para personas con discapacidad", "title_en": "Municipal obligation to build accessible sidewalks for persons with disabilities", "summary_es": "La Sala Constitucional examina si la Municipalidad de Aserrí ha violado los derechos de una persona no vidente al permitir que en el Barrio San Martín no existan aceras. Se alega que la falta de aceras impide el libre tránsito y atenta contra la igualdad y no discriminación. El tribunal desarrolla el marco normativo de protección de las personas con discapacidad, citando la Constitución (artículo 33), la Convención Americana sobre Discapacidad (Ley 7948), la Ley de Igualdad de Oportunidades (7600) y su reglamento, así como el Código Municipal (artículos 75 y 76). Destaca que las municipalidades tienen un deber genérico de eliminar barreras físicas y asegurar la infraestructura necesaria para la seguridad y libre tránsito de las personas con discapacidad. La Sala constata que la propia administración reconoce la omisión y que no puede delegar en el ciudadano su obligación de fiscalización. Se acoge el recurso y se condena a la Municipalidad al pago de costas, daños y perjuicios, enfatizando su responsabilidad de velar por el cumplimiento de la ley en su jurisdicción.", "summary_en": "The Constitutional Chamber examines whether the Municipality of Aserrí has violated the rights of a blind person by failing to construct sidewalks in the San Martín neighborhood. The lack of sidewalks allegedly impedes free transit and violates equality and non-discrimination principles. The court elaborates on the legal framework for protecting persons with disabilities, citing the Constitution (article 33), the Inter-American Convention on Disability (Law 7948), the Equal Opportunities Law (7600) and its regulations, and the Municipal Code (articles 75 and 76). It emphasizes that municipalities have a generic duty to eliminate physical barriers and provide necessary infrastructure for the safety and free transit of persons with disabilities. The Chamber finds that the administration itself acknowledged the omission and cannot delegate its oversight duty to the citizen. The appeal is granted, and the Municipality is ordered to pay costs, damages, and losses, highlighting its responsibility to ensure law enforcement within its jurisdiction.", "court_or_agency": "Sala Constitucional", "date": "2008", "year": "2008", "topic_ids": [ "_off-topic" ], "primary_topic_id": "_off-topic", "es_concept_hints": [ "amparo", "Ley 7600", "Código Municipal", "persona no vidente", "aceras", "barreras arquitectónicas", "igualdad ante la ley", "condena en costas" ], "concept_anchors": [ { "article": "Art. 33", "law": "Constitución Política" }, { "article": "Art. 41", "law": "Ley 7600" }, { "article": "Art. 75", "law": "Código Municipal" }, { "article": "Art. 76", "law": "Código Municipal" }, { "article": null, "law": "Ley 7948" } ], "keywords_es": [ "amparo", "Municipalidad de Aserrí", "aceras", "personas con discapacidad", "no vidente", "Ley 7600", "Código Municipal", "igualdad", "no discriminación", "barreras arquitectónicas", "costas" ], "keywords_en": [ "amparo", "Municipality of Aserrí", "sidewalks", "persons with disabilities", "blind person", "Law 7600", "Municipal Code", "equality", "non-discrimination", "architectural barriers", "costs" ], "excerpt_es": "En reiteradas ocasiones este Tribunal ha desarrollado el tema de los derechos de las personas con discapacidad, los cuales se encuentran tutelados a nivel constitucional por el principio de igualdad desarrollado por el artículo 33 de la Carta Magna, y a nivel legal por una serie de normas, entre las que destaca la Ley 7948 \"Convención Americana para la Eliminación de todas las Formas de Discriminación contra las Personas con Discapacidad\", y la Ley 7600 \"Ley de Igualdad de Oportunidades para las personas con discapacidad\". (...) De la lectura del considerando anterior, se desprende que existe un deber genérico de todos los entes y órganos que conforman la Administración, incluidas las municipalidades, de garantizar el derecho a la igualdad de las personas con discapacidad, mediante la eliminación de cualquier tipo de barreras, que puedan impedir el ingreso total de estas personas a la sociedad. (...) esta Sala considera que en el presente recurso se constata la alegada violación a los derechos fundamentales del amparado, pues del propio dicho de los recurridos se deduce que en varios sectores del Barrio San Martín no existen aceras, situación que constituye una violación no sólo a los derechos del amparado, sino también a la obligación de la Municipalidad recurrida de velar porque las calles del cantón cuenten con la infraestructura necesaria para garantizar el libre tránsito de las personas con discapacidad, tal y como lo dispone la Ley 7600 y el Código Municipal.", "excerpt_en": "This Court has repeatedly addressed the rights of persons with disabilities, which are protected at the constitutional level by the principle of equality developed in Article 33 of the Constitution, and at the legal level by a series of norms, including Law 7948 \"Inter-American Convention for the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities,\" and Law 7600 \"Equal Opportunities Law for Persons with Disabilities.\" (...) From the reading of the preceding recital, it follows that there is a generic duty of all entities and bodies that make up the Administration, including municipalities, to guarantee the right to equality of persons with disabilities, by eliminating any type of barriers that may prevent these persons from fully entering society. (...) this Chamber finds that the alleged violation of the petitioner's fundamental rights is confirmed, since from the respondents' own statements it can be deduced that in several sectors of the San Martín neighborhood there are no sidewalks, a situation that constitutes a violation not only of the petitioner's rights, but also of the respondent Municipality's obligation to ensure that the canton's streets have the necessary infrastructure to guarantee the free transit of persons with disabilities, as provided by Law 7600 and the Municipal Code.", "outcome": { "label_en": "Granted", "label_es": "Con lugar", "summary_en": "The amparo appeal filed by a blind person is granted, declaring that the Municipality of Aserrí violated the right to equality and non-discrimination by failing to build sidewalks in the San Martín neighborhood, and it is ordered to pay costs, damages, and losses.", "summary_es": "Se acoge el recurso de amparo interpuesto por una persona no vidente, declarando que la Municipalidad de Aserrí violó el derecho a la igualdad y no discriminación al no construir aceras en el Barrio San Martín, y se le condena al pago de costas, daños y perjuicios." }, "pull_quotes": [ { "context": "Considerando IV", "quote_en": "there is a generic duty of all entities and bodies that make up the Administration, including municipalities, to guarantee the right to equality of persons with disabilities, by eliminating any type of barriers that may prevent these persons from fully entering society.", "quote_es": "existe un deber genérico de todos los entes y órganos que conforman la Administración, incluidas las municipalidades, de garantizar el derecho a la igualdad de las personas con discapacidad, mediante la eliminación de cualquier tipo de barreras, que puedan impedir el ingreso total de estas personas a la sociedad." }, { "context": "Considerando VI", "quote_en": "the respondent Municipality cannot delegate to the administered its obligation to supervise and ensure compliance with the law in the lands that are part of its jurisdiction.", "quote_es": "la Municipalidad accionada no puede delegar en los administrados su obligación de fiscalizar y velar por el cumplimiento de la ley en los terrenos que forman parte de su jurisdicción." } ], "cites": [], "cited_by": [], "references": { "internal": [ { "target_id": "norm-23261", "kind": "concept_anchor", "label": "Ley 7600 Art. 41" } ], "external": [] }, "source_url": "https://nexuspj.poder-judicial.go.cr/document/ext-1-0007-123970", "tier": 2, "_editorial_citation_count": 0, "regulations_by_article": null, "amendments_by_article": null, "dictamen_by_article": null, "concordancias_by_article": null, "afectaciones_by_article": null, "resoluciones_by_article": null, "cited_by_votos": [], "cited_norms": [], "cited_norms_inverted": [ { "doc_id": "norm-38533", "norm_num": "7135", "norm_name": "Ley de la Jurisdicción Constitucional", "tipo_norma": "Ley", "norm_fecha": "11/10/1989" }, { "doc_id": "norm-40197", "norm_num": "7794", "norm_name": "Código Municipal", "tipo_norma": "Ley", "norm_fecha": "30/04/1998" }, { "doc_id": "norm-871", "norm_num": "0", "norm_name": "Derecho a un ambiente sano y ecológicamente equilibrado — Artículo 50 de la Constitución Política", "tipo_norma": "Constitución Política", "norm_fecha": "07/11/1949" } ], "sentencias_relacionadas": [], "temas_y_subtemas": [], "cascade_only": false, "amendment_count": 0, "body_es_text": "“ III.- Sobre el fondo.\r\nEn reiteradas ocasiones este Tribunal ha desarrollado el tema de los derechos\r\nde las personas con discapacidad, los cuales se encuentran tutelados a nivel\r\nconstitucional por el principio de igualdad desarrollado por el artículo 33 de\r\nla Carta Magna, y a nivel legal por una serie de normas, entre las que destaca\r\nla Ley 7948 \"Convención Americana para la Eliminación de todas las Formas\r\nde Discriminación contra las Personas con Discapacidad\", y la Ley 7600\r\n\"Ley de Igualdad de Oportunidades para las personas con\r\ndiscapacidad\". Sobre lo anterior, conviene destacar lo dicho en la\r\nsentencia número : 2005- 15751 de las diez horas con\r\nveintiocho minutos del diecisiete de noviembre del dos mil cinco, en la que se\r\nseñaló en lo que interesa: \n\r\n\r\n\n \n\r\n\r\n\nIII.- Sobre el fondo. En primer término\r\nes importante señalar que con la \"Convención Americana para la Eliminación\r\nde todas las Formas de Discriminación contra las Personas con\r\nDiscapacidad\", aprobada por la Asamblea Legislativa por ley N°7948 y la \"Ley de Igualdad de Oportunidades para las\r\nPersonas con Discapacidad\", N°7600, así como las\r\n“Normas Uniformes para la equiparación de Oportunidades de las personas con\r\ndiscapacidad” consisten en la piedra angular de protección de los derechos de\r\nlas personas con discapacidad. \n\r\n\r\n\n \n\r\n\r\n\nLa Convención Americana Sobre Derechos Humanos y la Constitución Política\r\nde Costa Rica, consagran el principio de igualdad de\r\nla persona y la prohibición de hacer distinciones contrarias a su dignidad\r\n-artículos 24 y 33 respectivamente-. Adicionalmente, La Convención define en su\r\nartículo 1 la Discriminación de la siguiente manera: \n\r\n\r\n\n \n\r\n\r\n\n\"El término discriminación contra las personas con discapacidad,\r\nsignifica toda distinción, exclusión o restricción basada en una discapacidad,\r\nantecedente de discapacidad, consecuencia de discapacidad presente o pasada,\r\nque tenga el efecto o el propósito de impedir o anular el reconocimiento, goce\r\no ejercicio por parte de las personas con discapacidad, de sus derechos humanos\r\ny libertades fundamentales \" \n\r\n\r\n\n \n\r\n\r\n\nAsimismo, consagra la obligación de los Estados que la suscribieron, a\r\nadoptar: \n\r\n\r\n\n \n\r\n\r\n\n\"las medidas para eliminar progresivamente la discriminación y\r\npromover la integración por parte de las autoridades gubernamentales y/o\r\nentidades privadas en la prestación o suministro de bienes, servicios,\r\ninstalaciones, programas, actividades, tales como el empleo, el transporte, las\r\ncomunicaciones, la vivienda, la recreación, la educación, el deporte, el acceso\r\na la justicia y los servicios policiales y las actividades políticas y de\r\nadministración\" \n\r\n\r\n\n \n\r\n\r\n\n IV.- De la lectura del considerando anterior,\r\nse desprende que existe un deber genérico de todos los entes y órganos que\r\nconforman la Administración, incluidas las municipalidades, de garantizar el\r\nderecho a la igualdad de las personas con discapacidad, mediante la eliminación\r\nde cualquier tipo de barreras, que puedan impedir el ingreso total de estas\r\npersonas a la sociedad. En el caso específico de las municipalidades una de las\r\nobligaciones que se derivan de lo dicho anteriormente, consiste en eliminar\r\ncualquier tipo de barrera física en las calles de su cantón, que limite el\r\ntránsito de las personas con discapacidad que habiten o simplemente transiten\r\npor su jurisdicción. Este deber, es desarrollado por la Ley 7600 en su artículo\r\n41, y por el Reglamento a la citada ley, en su\r\nartículos 103, 125 y 126, al disponer en lo que interesa: \n\r\n\r\n\n \n\r\n\r\n\nArtículo 41.- Especificaciones técnicas reglamentarias \n\r\n\r\n\nLas construcciones nuevas, ampliaciones o remodelaciones de edificios,\r\nparques, aceras, jardines, plazas, vías, servicios sanitarios y otros espacios\r\nde propiedad pública, deberán efectuarse conforme a las especificaciones\r\ntécnicas reglamentarias de los organismos públicos y privados encargados de la\r\nmateria. \n\r\n\r\n\nLas edificaciones privadas que impliquen concurrencia y brinden atención\r\nal público deberán contar con las mismas características establecidas en el\r\npárrafo anterior. \n\r\n\r\n\nLas mismas obligaciones mencionadas regirán para los proyectos de\r\nvivienda de cualquier carácter, financiados total o parcialmente con fondos\r\npúblicos. En este tipo de proyectos, las viviendas asignadas a personas con\r\ndiscapacidad o familias de personas en las que uno de sus miembros sea una\r\npersona con discapacidad deberán estar ubicadas en un sitio que garantice su\r\nfácil acceso. \n\r\n\r\n\n \n\r\n\r\n\nArtículo 103.- Fiscalización \n\r\n\r\n\nEl Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Transportes, el Ministerio de Vivienda\r\ny Asentamientos Humanos, el Ministerio de Salud Pública, el Instituto Nacional\r\nde Vivienda y Urbanismo, las Municipalidades y demás entidades competentes de\r\nrevisar planos y conceder permisos de construcción y remodelación o cualquier\r\notra autorización similar, deberán controlar y fiscalizar que las disposiciones\r\npertinentes contenidas en el presente reglamento se cumplan en todos sus\r\nextremos. \n\r\n\r\n\n \n\r\n\r\n\nArtículo 125.- Características de las aceras \n\r\n\r\n\nLas aceras deberán tener un ancho mínimo de 1.20 mts.,\r\nun acabado antiderrapante y sin presentar escalones;\r\nen caso de desnivel éste será salvado con rampa. \n\r\n\r\n\nLos cortes transversales o rampas que se hagan a lo largo de la línea de\r\npropiedad, no será de un tamaño mayor a 1,20 mts.,\r\ndeberán cumplir con los requisitos de gradiente, superficie y libre paso de\r\naguas. Podrán hacerse en estos casos sin necesidad de visto bueno municipal.\r\n\n\r\n\r\n\nEn caso de ser mayores los cortes o menor la distancia de separación\r\nsegún dicho, su distancia máxima sobre la línea de construcción será la que\r\nexista de área de entrada o de estacionamiento. Estas áreas deberán cumplir con\r\nlos requisitos que indique el reglamento al respecto y deberá contarse en este\r\ncaso con el visto bueno de la municipalidad del lugar para su ejecución. \n\r\n\r\n\nLas aceras deberán tener una altura (gradiente) de entre 15 y 25 cms. medida desde el cordón del caño. En caso de que la\r\naltura de la línea de propiedad sea menor a la señalada, se salvará por\r\ngradiente que deberá cumplir con lo establecido a continuación. \n\r\n\r\n\nLa gradiente en sentido transversal, tendrá como máximo el 3%. \n\r\n\r\n\n \n\r\n\r\n\nArtículo 126.- Rampas en las aceras. En las aceras, en todas las esquinas\r\ndeberá haber una rampa con gradiente máxima de 10% para salvar el desnivel\r\nexistente entre la acera y la calle. Esta rampa deberá tener un ancho mínimo de\r\n1.20 mts. y construidas en\r\nforma antiderrapante. \n\r\n\r\n\n \n\r\n\r\n\n V.-\r\nPor otra parte, también conviene mencionar que el deber antes mencionado,\r\nno sólo tiene asidero en lo dispuesto por la normativa que tutela\r\nespecíficamente los derechos de las personas con discapacidad, tal y como es el\r\ncaso de la Ley 7600, sino además en la obligación de las municipalidades de\r\nvelar por que las calles de su jurisdicción cuenten con la infraestructura\r\nnecesaria para garantizar la seguridad de los habitantes del cantón, tales como\r\nacercas, cordones, caños y cunetas, y que además no existan sobre ellas\r\nobstáculos que puedan dificultar el tránsito de las personas, especialmente de\r\naquellas que sufran algún tipo de discapacidad. Este deber es\r\ndesarrollado por los artículos 75 incisos d) y g) y 76 del Código Municipal,\r\nlos cuales a su vez otorgan a la Municipalidad una serie de potestades\r\ncon el fin de garantizar el cumplimiento de lo dispuesto por ellos, al disponer\r\nen lo que interesa: \n\r\n\r\n\n \n\r\n\r\n\n \n\r\n\r\n\n \n\r\n\r\n\n\"Artículo 75. \n\r\n\r\n\nDe conformidad con el Plan Regulador Municipal, las personas físicas o\r\njurídicas, propietarias o poseedoras, por cualquier título, de bienes\r\ninmuebles, deberán cumplir las siguientes obligaciones: \n\r\n\r\n\n... \n\r\n\r\n\nd) Construir las aceras frente a sus propiedades y darles\r\nmantenimiento. \n\r\n\r\n\n.... \n\r\n\r\n\ng) Abstenerse de obstaculizar el paso por las aceras con\r\ngradas de acceso a viviendas, retenes, cadenas, rótulos, materiales de\r\nconstrucción o artefactos de seguridad en entradas de garajes. Cuando por\r\nurgencia o imposibilidad de espacio físico deben de colocarse materiales de\r\nconstrucción en las aceras, deberá utilizarse equipos adecuados de depósito. La\r\nmunicipalidad podrá adquirirlos para arrendarlos a los munícipes. \n\r\n\r\n\n \n\r\n\r\n\n... \n\r\n\r\n\nSalvo lo ordenado en la Ley General de Salud, cuando los munícipes\r\nincumplan las obligaciones anteriores, la municipalidad está facultada para\r\nsuplir la omisión de esos deberes, realizando en forma directa las obras o\r\nprestando los servicios correspondientes. Por los trabajos ejecutados, la\r\nmunicipalidad cobrará, al propietario o poseedor del inmueble, el costo\r\nefectivo del servicio o la obra. El munícipe deberá reembolsar\r\nel costo efectivo en el plazo máximo de ocho días hábiles; de lo contrario,\r\ndeberá cancelar por concepto de multa un cincuenta por ciento (50%) del valor\r\nde la obra o el servicio, sin perjuicio del cobro de los intereses moratorios.\r\n\n\r\n\r\n\nCon base en un estudio técnico previo, el Concejo Municipal fijará los\r\nprecios mediante acuerdo emanado de su seno, el cual deberá publicarse en\r\n\"La Gaceta\" para entrar en vigencia. Las municipalidades revisarán y\r\nactualizarán anualmente estos precios y serán publicados por reglamento. \n\r\n\r\n\n \n\r\n\r\n\nCuando se trate de las omisiones incluidas en el párrafo trasanterior de este artículo y la municipalidad haya\r\nconocido por cualquier medio la situación de peligro, la municipalidad está\r\nobligada a suplir la inacción del propietario, previa prevención al munícipe\r\nconforme al debido proceso y sin perjuicio de cobrar el precio indicado en el\r\npárrafo anterior. Si la municipalidad no la suple y por la omisión se causa\r\ndaño a la salud, la integridad física o el patrimonio de terceros, el\r\nfuncionario municipal omiso será responsable, solidariamente con el propietario\r\no poseedor del inmueble, por los daños y perjuicios causados. \n\r\n\r\n\n \n\r\n\r\n\nArtículo 76.- \n\r\n\r\n\nCuando se incumplan las obligaciones dispuestas en el artículo anterior,\r\nla municipalidad cobrará trimestralmente con carácter de multa: \n\r\n\r\n\n \n\r\n\r\n\na) Por no limpiar la vegetación\r\nde sus predios situados a orillas de las vías públicas ni recortar la que\r\nperjudique el paso de las personas o lo dificulte, trescientos colones\r\n(¢300,00) por metro lineal del frente total de la propiedad. \n\r\n\r\n\n \n\r\n\r\n\nb) Por no cercar los lotes donde\r\nno haya construcciones o existan construcciones en estado de demolición,\r\ncuatrocientos colones (¢400,00) por metro lineal del frente total de la\r\npropiedad. \n\r\n\r\n\n \n\r\n\r\n\nc) Por no separar, recolectar ni\r\nacumular, para el transporte y la disposición final, los desechos sólidos\r\nprovenientes de las actividades personales, familiares, públicas o comunales, o\r\nprovenientes de operaciones agrícolas, ganaderas, industriales, comerciales y\r\nturísticas solo mediante los sistemas de disposición final aprobados por la Dirección\r\nde Protección al Ambiente Humano de l Ministerio de Salud, cien colones\r\n(¢100,00) por metro cuadrado del área total de la propiedad. \n\r\n\r\n\n \n\r\n\r\n\nd) Por no construir las aceras\r\nfrente a las propiedades ni darles mantenimiento, quinientos colones (¢500,00)\r\npor metro cuadrado del frente total de la propiedad. \n\r\n\r\n\n \n\r\n\r\n\ne) Por no remover los objetos,\r\nmateriales o similares de las aceras o los predios de su propiedad, que\r\ncontaminen el ambiente u obstaculicen el paso, doscientos colones (¢200,00) por\r\nmetro lineal del frente total de la propiedad. \n\r\n\r\n\n \n\r\n\r\n\nf) Por no contar con un sistema\r\nde separación, recolección, acumulación y disposición final de los desechos\r\nsólidos, aprobado por la Dirección de Protección al Ambiente Humano del\r\nMinisterio de Salud, en las empresas agrícolas, ganaderas, industriales,\r\ncomerciales y turísticas, doscientos colones (¢200,00) por met\r\nro lineal del frente total de la propiedad,\r\ncuando el servicio público de disposición de desechos sólidos es insuficiente o\r\ninexistente o si por la naturaleza o el volumen de los desechos, este no es\r\naceptable sanitariamente. \n\r\n\r\n\n \n\r\n\r\n\ng) Por obstaculizar el paso por\r\nlas aceras con gradas de acceso a viviendas, retenes, cadenas, rótulos,\r\nmateriales de construcción o artefactos de seguridad en entradas de garajes,\r\nquinientos colones (¢500,00) por metro lineal del frente total de la propiedad.\r\n\n\r\n\r\n\n \n\r\n\r\n\nh) Por no instalar bajantes ni\r\ncanoas para recoger las aguas pluviales de las edificaciones, cuyas paredes\r\nexternas colinden inmediatamente con la vía pública, ochocientos colones\r\n(¢800,00) por metro lineal del frente total de la propiedad. \n\r\n\r\n\n \n\r\n\r\n\ni) Por no ejecutar las obras de\r\nconservación de las fachadas de casas o edificios visibles desde la vía pública\r\ncuando, por motivos de interés turístico, arqueológico o patrimonial, lo exija\r\nla municipalidad, quinientos colones (¢500,00) por metro cuadrado del frente\r\ntotal de la propiedad.\" \n\r\n\r\n\n \n\r\n\r\n\n \r\nVI.- En el caso concreto, el recurrente reclama que en el Barrio San\r\nMartín de San Gabriel de Aserrí no existen\r\naceras, situación que genera una serie de problemas para el amparado, quien es\r\nuna persona no vidente. En su informe, las autoridades recurridas informan que\r\ntras realizar una visita al lugar antes mencionado, se pudo constatar que sólo\r\nalgunos sectores cuentan con aceras; sin embargo explican que se encuentran\r\nimposibilitados para actuar, hasta tanto el amparado no señale los lugares en\r\nlos que la falta de acera le genera un problema. Con vista en lo anterior, esta\r\nSala considera que en el presente recurso se constata la alegada violación a\r\nlos derechos fundamentales del amparado, pues del propio dicho de los\r\nrecurridos se deduce que en varios sectores del Barrio San Martín no existen\r\naceras, situación que constituye una violación no sólo a los derechos del\r\namparado, sino también a la obligación de la Municipalidad recurrida de velar\r\nporque las calles del cantón cuenten con la infraestructura necesaria para\r\ngarantizar el libre tránsito de las personas con discapacidad, tal y como lo\r\ndispone la Ley 7600 y el Código Municipal. Asimismo, conviene aclarar a los\r\nrecurridos que no existe una obligación del amparado de informar cuales son los\r\nsitios en los que estima que la falta de aceras le genera un problema, esto,\r\npor cuanto la Municipalidad accionada no puede delegar en los administrados su\r\nobligación de fiscalizar y velar por el cumplimiento de la ley en los terrenos\r\nque forman parte de su jurisdicción. Así en razón de lo expuesto anteriormente,\r\nlo procedente es acoger el recurso planteado, como en efecto se hace.”", "body_en_text": "III.- On the merits.\nOn repeated occasions this Court has addressed the issue of the rights of persons with disabilities, which are protected at the constitutional level by the principle of equality developed by Article 33 of the Constitution (Carta Magna), and at the statutory level by a series of norms, among which Law 7948 \"Inter-American Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities\" (Convención Americana para la Eliminación de todas las Formas de Discriminación contra las Personas con Discapacidad), and Law 7600 \"Law on Equal Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities\" (Ley de Igualdad de Oportunidades para las personas con discapacidad) stand out. Regarding the above, it is worth highlighting what was stated in judgment number: 2005-15751 of ten hours and twenty-eight minutes of November seventeenth, two thousand five, in which it was indicated, as relevant:\n\nIII.- On the merits. First of all, it is important to note that the \"Inter-American Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities,\" approved by the Legislative Assembly through Law No. 7948, and the \"Law on Equal Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities,\" No. 7600, as well as the \"Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities\" (Normas Uniformes para la equiparación de Oportunidades de las personas con discapacidad) constitute the cornerstone of the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities.\n\nThe American Convention on Human Rights and the Political Constitution of Costa Rica enshrine the principle of equality of the person and the prohibition of making distinctions contrary to their dignity -Articles 24 and 33 respectively-. Additionally, the Convention defines Discrimination in its Article 1 as follows:\n\n\"The term discrimination against persons with disabilities means any distinction, exclusion, or restriction based on a disability, record of disability, consequence of current or past disability, which has the effect or purpose of preventing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment, or exercise by persons with disabilities of their human rights and fundamental freedoms\"\n\nLikewise, it enshrines the obligation of the States that subscribed to it, to adopt:\n\n\"measures to progressively eliminate discrimination and promote integration by governmental authorities and/or private entities in the provision or supply of goods, services, facilities, programs, and activities, such as employment, transportation, communications, housing, recreation, education, sports, access to justice and police services, and political and administrative activities\"\n\nIV.- From the reading of the preceding whereas clause (considerando), it follows that there is a generic duty of all entities and bodies that make up the Administration, including municipalities (municipalidades), to guarantee the right to equality of persons with disabilities, by eliminating any type of barrier that may prevent the full inclusion of these persons in society. In the specific case of municipalities, one of the obligations deriving from the foregoing consists of eliminating any type of physical barrier on the streets of their canton (cantón), which limits the transit of persons with disabilities who reside or merely transit through their jurisdiction. This duty is developed by Law 7600 in its Article 41, and by the Regulation to the cited law, in its Articles 103, 125 and 126, by providing, as relevant:\n\nArticle 41.- Regulatory technical specifications\nNew constructions, expansions, or remodeling of buildings, parks, sidewalks (aceras), gardens, plazas, roadways, sanitary services, and other public property spaces must be carried out in accordance with the regulatory technical specifications of the public and private entities responsible for the matter.\nPrivate buildings that involve public attendance and provide service to the public must have the same characteristics established in the preceding paragraph.\nThe same obligations mentioned shall govern housing projects of any nature, financed totally or partially with public funds. In this type of project, dwellings assigned to persons with disabilities or families of persons in which one of their members is a person with a disability must be located in a site that guarantees their easy access.\n\nArticle 103.- Oversight\nThe Ministry of Public Works and Transport, the Ministry of Housing and Human Settlements, the Ministry of Public Health, the National Institute of Housing and Urbanism, the Municipalities, and other entities competent to review plans and grant construction and remodeling permits or any other similar authorization, must control and oversee that the pertinent provisions contained in this regulation are complied with in all their aspects.\n\nArticle 125.- Characteristics of sidewalks\nSidewalks must have a minimum width of 1.20 mts., a non-slip finish and present no steps; in case of a change in level, this shall be resolved with a ramp.\nTransversal cuts or ramps made along the property line shall not be larger than 1.20 mts., and must comply with the requirements for gradient (gradiente), surface, and free flow of water. They may be made in these cases without the need for municipal approval (visto bueno municipal).\nIf the cuts are larger or the separation distance is smaller according to what has been stated, their maximum distance over the building line shall be that of the existing entrance or parking area. These areas must comply with the requirements indicated by the regulation in this regard, and in this case, the approval (visto bueno) of the local municipality shall be required for their execution.\nSidewalks must have a height (gradient) of between 15 and 25 cms. measured from the curb (cordón del caño). In case the height of the property line is less than that indicated, it shall be resolved by a gradient that must comply with the provisions established below.\nThe transversal gradient shall have a maximum of 3%.\n\nArticle 126.- Ramps on sidewalks. On sidewalks, at all corners, there must be a ramp with a maximum gradient of 10% to overcome the existing change in level between the sidewalk and the street. This ramp must have a minimum width of 1.20 mts. and be constructed in a non-slip manner.\n\nV.- On the other hand, it is also worth mentioning that the aforementioned duty not only has its basis in the provisions of the norms specifically protecting the rights of persons with disabilities, as is the case of Law 7600, but also in the obligation of municipalities to ensure that the streets in their jurisdiction have the necessary infrastructure to guarantee the safety of the inhabitants of the canton, such as sidewalks (acercas), curbs (cordones), gutters (caños) and ditches (cunetas), and also that there are no obstacles on them that may hinder the transit of persons, especially those who suffer from some type of disability. This duty is developed by Articles 75 subsections d) and g) and 76 of the Municipal Code, which in turn grant the Municipality a series of powers in order to guarantee compliance with their provisions, by stating, as relevant:\n\n\"Article 75.\nIn accordance with the Municipal Regulatory Plan (Plan Regulador Municipal), natural or legal persons, owners or possessors, by any title, of real estate must comply with the following obligations:\n...\nd) Build the sidewalks in front of their properties and maintain them.\n....\ng) Refrain from obstructing passage on sidewalks with access steps to dwellings, barriers (retenes), chains, signs, construction materials, or security devices at garage entrances. When, due to urgency or impossibility of physical space, construction materials must be placed on sidewalks, adequate storage equipment must be used. The municipality may acquire such equipment to lease it to the residents (munícipes).\n...\n...\nExcept as ordered in the General Health Law, when the residents fail to comply with the preceding obligations, the municipality is empowered to remedy the omission of those duties, directly carrying out the works or providing the corresponding services. For the works executed, the municipality shall charge the owner or possessor of the property the effective cost of the service or work. The resident must reimburse the effective cost within a maximum period of eight business days; otherwise, they must pay, as a fine, fifty percent (50%) of the value of the work or service, without prejudice to the collection of default interest.\nBased on a prior technical study, the Municipal Council shall set the prices by means of an agreement emanating from its body, which must be published in \"La Gaceta\" to come into effect. Municipalities shall review and update these prices annually, and they shall be published by regulation.\nIn the case of the omissions included in the third-to-last paragraph of this article and when the municipality has become aware, by any means, of the dangerous situation, the municipality is obligated to remedy the inaction of the owner, after prior warning to the resident in accordance with due process and without prejudice to charging the price indicated in the preceding paragraph. If the municipality does not remedy it and due to the omission damage is caused to the health, physical integrity, or property of third parties, the negligent municipal official shall be jointly and severally liable, together with the owner or possessor of the property, for the damages and losses caused.\nArticle 76.-\nWhen the obligations set forth in the preceding article are breached, the municipality shall charge quarterly, as a fine:\na) For not clearing the vegetation from their lots located on the edges of public roads and not trimming that which harms or hinders the passage of persons, three hundred colones (¢300.00) per linear meter of the total frontage of the property.\nb) For not fencing lots where there are no constructions or where there are constructions in a state of demolition, four hundred colones (¢400.00) per linear meter of the total frontage of the property.\nc) For not separating, collecting, or accumulating, for transport and final disposal, solid waste originating from personal, family, public, or community activities, or originating from agricultural, livestock, industrial, commercial, and tourist operations, solely through the final disposal systems approved by the Directorate of Human Environmental Protection of the Ministry of Health, one hundred colones (¢100.00) per square meter of the total area of the property.\nd) For not building the sidewalks in front of the properties and not maintaining them, five hundred colones (¢500.00) per square meter of the total frontage of the property.\ne) For not removing objects, materials, or similar items from the sidewalks or their own properties, which contaminate the environment or obstruct passage, two hundred colones (¢200.00) per linear meter of the total frontage of the property.\nf) For not having a system for the separation, collection, accumulation, and final disposal of solid waste, approved by the Directorate of Human Environmental Protection of the Ministry of Health, in agricultural, livestock, industrial, commercial, and tourist enterprises, two hundred colones (¢200.00) per linear meter of the total frontage of the property, when the public solid waste disposal service is insufficient or non-existent or if, due to the nature or volume of the waste, it is not sanitary acceptable.\ng) For obstructing passage on sidewalks with access steps to dwellings, barriers, chains, signs, construction materials, or security devices at garage entrances, five hundred colones (¢500.00) per linear meter of the total frontage of the property.\nh) For not installing downspouts or gutters (canoas) to collect rainwater from buildings whose external walls immediately border the public road, eight hundred colones (¢800.00) per linear meter of the total frontage of the property.\ni) For not carrying out conservation works on the facades of houses or buildings visible from the public road when, for reasons of tourist, archaeological, or heritage interest, the municipality so requires, five hundred colones (¢500.00) per square meter of the total frontage of the property.\"\n\nVI.- In the specific case, the petitioner complains that in Barrio San Martín of San Gabriel de Aserrí there are no sidewalks, a situation that generates a series of problems for the protected party, who is a blind person. In their report, the respondent authorities report that after conducting a visit to the aforementioned location, it was verified that only some sectors have sidewalks; however, they explain that they are unable to act until the protected party indicates the places where the lack of a sidewalk causes him a problem. In view of the foregoing, this Chamber considers that in the present appeal the alleged violation of the fundamental rights of the protected party is verified, since from the respondent authorities' own statement it is deduced that in several sectors of Barrio San Martín there are no sidewalks, a situation that constitutes a violation not only of the protected party's rights, but also of the respondent Municipality's obligation to ensure that the canton's streets have the necessary infrastructure to guarantee the free transit of persons with disabilities, as provided by Law 7600 and the Municipal Code. Likewise, it is appropriate to clarify to the respondent authorities that there is no obligation for the protected party to report which sites he considers the lack of sidewalks causes him a problem, this because the respondent Municipality cannot delegate to citizens (administrados) its obligation to oversee and ensure compliance with the law on the lands that form part of its jurisdiction. Thus, based on the foregoing, the appropriate course is to grant the appeal filed, as is hereby done.\n\nThe citizen must reimburse the effective cost within a maximum period of eight business days; otherwise, they must pay a penalty of fifty percent (50%) of the value of the work or service, without prejudice to the collection of default interest.\n\nBased on a prior technical study, the Municipal Council shall set the prices by means of an agreement issued from its body, which must be published in \"La Gaceta\" to enter into force. Municipalities shall review and update these prices annually, and they shall be published by regulation.\n\nWhen dealing with the omissions included in the paragraph before last of this article, and the municipality has learned of the dangerous situation by any means, the municipality is obligated to remedy the owner's inaction, after prior warning to the citizen in accordance with due process and without prejudice to charging the price indicated in the previous paragraph. If the municipality does not remedy it and the omission causes harm to the health, physical integrity, or property of third parties, the negligent municipal official shall be jointly and severally liable with the owner or possessor of the property for the damages caused.\n\n**Article 76.-**\n\nWhen the obligations set forth in the preceding article are breached, the municipality shall charge quarterly, as a penalty:\n\na) For failing to clear vegetation from their properties situated on the edges of public roads, or to trim vegetation that hinders or obstructs the passage of persons, three hundred colones (¢300.00) per linear meter of the total frontage of the property.\n\nb) For failing to fence lots where there are no buildings or where there are buildings in a state of demolition, four hundred colones (¢400.00) per linear meter of the total frontage of the property.\n\nc) For failing to separate, collect, or accumulate, for transport and final disposal, solid waste originating from personal, family, public, or community activities, or from agricultural, livestock, industrial, commercial, and tourism operations, solely through the final disposal systems approved by the Dirección de Protección al Ambiente Humano of the Ministry of Health, one hundred colones (¢100.00) per square meter of the total area of the property.\n\nd) For failing to build sidewalks (aceras) in front of their properties or to maintain them, five hundred colones (¢500.00) per square meter of the total frontage of the property.\n\ne) For failing to remove objects, materials, or similar items from sidewalks (aceras) or their own properties that contaminate the environment or obstruct passage, two hundred colones (¢200.00) per linear meter of the total frontage of the property.\n\nf) For failing to have a system for the separation, collection, accumulation, and final disposal of solid waste, approved by the Dirección de Protección al Ambiente Humano of the Ministry of Health, in agricultural, livestock, industrial, commercial, and tourism enterprises, two hundred colones (¢200.00) per linear meter of the total frontage of the property, when the public solid waste disposal service is insufficient or non-existent, or if, due to the nature or volume of the waste, it is not sanitary acceptable.\n\ng) For obstructing passage on sidewalks (aceras) with steps for access to dwellings, barriers, chains, signs, construction materials, or security devices at garage entrances, five hundred colones (¢500.00) per linear meter of the total frontage of the property.\n\nh) For failing to install downspouts and gutters to collect rainwater from buildings whose external walls immediately border the public road, eight hundred colones (¢800.00) per linear meter of the total frontage of the property.\n\ni) For failing to carry out conservation works on the facades of houses or buildings visible from the public road when the municipality so requires for reasons of tourist, archaeological, or heritage interest, five hundred colones (¢500.00) per square meter of the total frontage of the property.\"\n\n**VI.-** In the specific case, the appellant claims that in Barrio San Martín of San Gabriel de Aserrí there are no sidewalks (aceras), a situation that generates a series of problems for the protected party, who is a visually impaired person. In their report, the respondent authorities reported that after conducting a visit to the aforementioned place, it was found that only some sectors have sidewalks (aceras); however, they explained that they are unable to act until the protected party points out the places where the lack of a sidewalk (acera) causes a problem. In view of the foregoing, this Chamber considers that in the present appeal, the alleged violation of the fundamental rights of the protected party is verified, as from the respondent's own statement it is deduced that in several sectors of Barrio San Martín there are no sidewalks (aceras), a situation that constitutes a violation not only of the protected party's rights, but also of the respondent Municipality's obligation to ensure that the streets of the canton have the necessary infrastructure to guarantee the free transit of persons with disabilities, as provided by Law 7600 and the Municipal Code. Likewise, it is appropriate to clarify to the respondents that there is no obligation on the part of the protected party to report which are the sites where they consider that the lack of sidewalks (aceras) creates a problem for them, this, because the sued Municipality cannot delegate to the administered parties its obligation to supervise and ensure compliance with the law on the lands that form part of its jurisdiction. Thus, based on the foregoing, it is appropriate to grant the appeal filed, as is hereby done.\"\n\nThe municipalities shall review and update these prices annually and they shall be published by regulation.

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When dealing with the omissions included in the paragraph before last of this article and the municipality has become aware of the dangerous situation by any means, the municipality is obligated to remedy the owner's inaction, after prior warning to the resident in accordance with due process and without prejudice to charging the price indicated in the preceding paragraph. If the municipality does not remedy it and the omission causes harm to the health, physical integrity, or property of third parties, the omissive municipal official shall be jointly and severally liable with the owner or possessor of the property for the damages caused.

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Article 76.-

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When the obligations set forth in the preceding article are breached, the municipality shall collect quarterly as a fine:

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a) For failing to clear vegetation from their properties situated along the edges of public roads or to trim vegetation that hinders or obstructs the passage of persons, three hundred colones (¢300.00) per linear meter of the total frontage of the property.

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b) For failing to fence lots where there are no buildings or where there are buildings in a state of demolition, four hundred colones (¢400.00) per linear meter of the total frontage of the property.

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c) For failing to separate, collect, or accumulate, for transport and final disposal, solid waste originating from personal, family, public, or community activities, or originating from agricultural, livestock, industrial, commercial, and tourism operations, solely through final disposal systems approved by the Directorate for the Protection of the Human Environment of the Ministry of Health, one hundred colones (¢100.00) per square meter of the total area of the property.

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d) For failing to build sidewalks (aceras) in front of the properties or to maintain them, five hundred colones (¢500.00) per square meter of the total frontage of the property.

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e) For failing to remove objects, materials, or similar items from the sidewalks (aceras) or properties they own, which pollute the environment or obstruct passage, two hundred colones (¢200.00) per linear meter of the total frontage of the property.

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f) For lacking a system for the separation, collection, accumulation, and final disposal of solid waste, approved by the Directorate for the Protection of the Human Environment of the Ministry of Health, in agricultural, livestock, industrial, commercial, and tourism enterprises, two hundred colones (¢200.00) per linear meter of the total frontage of the property, when the public solid waste disposal service is insufficient or nonexistent, or if, due to the nature or volume of the waste, it is not sanitary acceptable.

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g) For obstructing passage on the sidewalks (aceras) with access steps to dwellings, barriers, chains, signs, construction materials, or security devices in garage entrances, five hundred colones (¢500.00) per linear meter of the total frontage of the property.\n

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h) For failing to install downspouts and gutters to collect rainwater from buildings whose external walls immediately adjoin the public thoroughfare, eight hundred colones (¢800.00) per linear meter of the total frontage of the property.

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i) For failing to carry out conservation works on the facades of houses or buildings visible from the public thoroughfare when, for reasons of tourism, archaeological, or heritage interest, the municipality so requires, five hundred colones (¢500.00) per square meter of the total frontage of the property.\"

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            \nVI.- In the specific case, the appellant claims that in the San Martín neighborhood of San Gabriel de Aserrí there are no sidewalks (aceras), a situation that generates a series of problems for the petitioner, who is a blind person. In their report, the respondent authorities inform that after conducting a visit to the aforementioned place, it was possible to verify that only some sectors have sidewalks (aceras); however, they explain that they are unable to act until the petitioner indicates the places where the lack of a sidewalk (acera) causes him a problem. In view of the foregoing, this Chamber considers that in the present appeal the alleged violation of the fundamental rights of the petitioner is confirmed, since from the respondents' own statements it can be deduced that in several sectors of the San Martín neighborhood there are no sidewalks (aceras), a situation that constitutes a violation not only of the petitioner's rights, but also of the respondent Municipality's obligation to ensure that the canton's streets have the necessary infrastructure to guarantee free transit for persons with disabilities, as provided by Ley 7600 and the Municipal Code. Likewise, it is appropriate to clarify for the respondents that there is no obligation on the part of the petitioner to inform of the sites where he believes that the lack of sidewalks (aceras) causes him a problem, this because the sued Municipality cannot delegate to the administered parties its obligation to oversee and ensure compliance with the law on the lands that are part of its jurisdiction. Thus, based on the foregoing, it is proper to grant the appeal filed, as is hereby done.\"

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