St. Pete Council OKs Parking Fine & Permit Fee Increases

The St. Petersburg City Council advanced significant increases to parking fines and permit fees last Thursday. The proposed changes, including a $15 jump for most parking tickets and a doubling of residential permit costs, will undergo a public hearing and final vote on Oct. 15.

The ordinance raises the penalty for an expired meter or pay station from $17.50 to $32.50. Most other violations, such as blocking a driveway, double parking, abandoning a vehicle in a fire lane, and parking on a sidewalk or crosswalk, will climb from $30 to $45. Drivers parking without authorization in permit-only areas will face a $65 ticket, up from $50. The same increase applies to prohibited trailer parking.

The fine for occupying a space reserved for people with disabilities will remain $250.

Residential parking permits will increase from $15 to $30 annually. Monthly downtown permits will rise from $20 to $25. The charge for removing a parking boot will double from $25 to $50.

Downtown drivers purchasing a monthly permit will see their annual cost increase from $240 to $300. Residents in areas like Pinellas Point or along the waterfront may see a noticeable shift in their parking budget.

The ordinance also adjusts permit eligibility. Residents within one block of a permit area could qualify if their property's location and conditions necessitate parking in the zone. College students in a permit zone may use a student ID and documentation like a lease or utility bill to prove residency, bypassing the need to change driver's license and vehicle registration.

Permits will become valid for one year from their issuance date, replacing the previous calendar year expiration. The city may also transition to digital permit issuance instead of windshield stickers. Residents with unpaid parking citations will not qualify for a permit until their debts are settled.

The proposed increases follow a review by the council’s Budget, Finance, and Taxation Committee on Aug. 28. Transportation and Parking Management Director Evan Mory stated the changes align with the city budget approved Sept. 17. Council members Gina Driscoll and Brandi Gabbard were absent from last Thursday’s meeting, and no one registered to speak on the item. The ordinance will take effect after a final vote and mayoral approval.