Running afoul of Old City parking restrictions is about to get a whole lot more expensive.
Parking penalties in parts of downtown St. Augustine could rise from $35 to $100 — a 185% increase — under a proposal e the City Commission is expected to pass on Monday.
If approved, the new fine would apply to violations such as:
- Parking in a prohibited area, including blocking crosswalks or driveways
- Parking in residential zones without a permit
- Stopping in unauthorized areas used by buses, shuttles, or rideshare services like Uber or Lyft
The increased fine would only apply within a designated area bordered by Old Mission Avenue, the Matanzas River, South Street, and the San Sebastian River — an area that includes much of the city’s historic downtown.
In addition to raising fines, the ordinance would also add formal definitions for transportation-related zones like franchise stops, rideshare stops, and residential parking areas.
The curbside crackdown, the proposal asserts, would promote the use of alternative forms of transportation and perhaps reduce spiraling traffic concerns in the Ancient City, especially during events like Nights of Lights.
Decreasing vehicular volume in St. Augustine, the measure notes, should remain a top priority.
“Congestion will be addressed by means other than solely considering adding capacity for single occupancy vehicles,” a seciton of the proposal states.
