Tampa Bay City Increasing Fines For Parking Violations And Expired Meters

If you forget to feed the meter, a trip to the beach  just got more expensive! A Tampa Bay city is increasing fines for parking violations and expired meters.

The city of St. Pete Beach is starting to crack down on parking violations. If you're parked at an expired meter, it will cost you $40. But wait, there's more. If you don't feed the meter or move your car, a new ticket can get issued every two hours!

It doesn't stop there. Parking in a residential area without a permit will set you back $90. Unlawfully parking on a right of way will cost you $500!

Michelle Gonzalez, St. Pete Beach's Director of Community Development, explained the increased parking fines. "The reason behind this regulation is to encourage people to follow the city’s parking rules and do the right thing," Gonzalez wrote in an email. "If you parked violating the city’s rules, then after the first ticket it incentivizes people to correct the violation, so they don’t get another ticket. The City does not want people to leave their car parked illegally all day, especially in residential parking permit restricted areas."

On a busy day, St. Pete Beach issues about 150 tickets. We'll see if these increased fines will change how busy it will be at St. Pete Beach. Until then, make sure you feed your parking meter when you're at the beach!

[SOURCE Spectrum Bay News 9]