St. Pete Council Approves Parking Fine Hikes

St. Petersburg City Council voted Thursday to increase parking fines and permit fees, a decision that will affect drivers in busy areas, including those near Tropicana Field. Most parking tickets will rise by $15, and resident parking permits will double in cost.

The council approved the first reading of the ordinance without opposition. A public hearing and final vote are scheduled for Oct. 15, allowing residents to voice their opinions.

Under the proposal, the fine for an expired meter or pay station will increase from $17.50 to $32.50. Other common 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 in permit-only areas without authorization will face a $65 ticket, up from $50. Fines for prohibited trailer parking will also increase. The fine for occupying a space reserved for people with disabilities remains $250.

Residential parking permits will double from $15 to $30 annually. Monthly downtown permits will rise from $20 to $25. The cost to remove a parking boot will also double, from $25 to $50. Downtown drivers purchasing a monthly permit will see their yearly cost increase from $240 to $300.

The ordinance also expands permit eligibility to some residents living just outside permit boundaries and offers college students new ways to prove residency.

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 indicated in a memo that the changes align with the city budget approved Sept. 17.

Council members Gina Driscoll and Brandi Gabbard were absent from last week's meeting. No one registered to speak on the item.

The increases are not yet in effect. If the council adopts the ordinance on Oct. 15, it will proceed through the city’s standard approval process, including an opportunity for the mayor to veto the legislation.