Downtown Parking Enforcement, Fines Restructured

Free parking downtown on Saturdays will return, however, parking fines and late fees will increase. 

The City Commission voted 5-0 at its Monday meeting to approve the second reading of the proposed parking fine ordinance to adjust the rates and fees. The commission also approved with its motion to end Saturday downtown enforcement and for staff to develop a plan to manage employee parking for businesses.

"This has been quite an issue back and forth here, but you know what?" Mayor Suzanne Atwell said. "I guess all's fair in love and war and parking."

Weekday enforcement will change to 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. instead of ending at 8 p.m., too.

An effective date for the changes has not been announced.

Here's what the fines will be: 

• Change to a tier structure of late fees, where $15 is charged on the 15th day then every 30 days, a $15 fine would be assessed up to a maximum of $45

• Increase the fee to install and remove a wheel boot from $50 to $75 due to the time and effort it takes staff to process and install/remove boots

• Create a $35 fine for non-electric cars parked in electric car charging stations spaces

A proposal to adjust the fine for failure to display a parking permit waiver from $7.50 to $15 was removed after staff found that the measure was pre-empted by state law.

Lyons said the state grants municipalities the power to charge up to $250 for the electric vehicle fine but found that it's excessive.

Also, in order to be eligible to have a boot installed on your car, a car must have:

• Up to $100 in unpaid parking fines including late fees 

• Two unpaid parking tickets in 45 days without filing for an appeal

• Three unpaid parking tickets in 30 days without filing for an appeal 

The commission approved the first draft on Sept. 17 and coincides with a new collections process for the late fees.

Sarasota Parking Enforcement Coverage:

• Merchants to Wear Grocery Bags in Protest March
• VIDEO: Bag-Headed Merchants Protest Meters
• Public On Parking Meters: Find A Different Kind
• Commission Votes To End Paid Parking
• Free Parking Transition Continues in City
• Parking Enforcement Returns
• Committee Tasked With Creating Answers To Parking Issues
• Put A Bullet Through A Parking Meter For Charity?
• City Proposes Changes To Parking Fines
• City Learns That Rectangles Don't Fit In St. Armands Circle