Some streets in Historic Downtown Fernandina Beach might soon come with a price tag — and resident anger is off the meter.
In a proposal that’s parked at the center of controversy, the Fernandina Beach City Commission is considering implementing a paid parking system for some sections of the downtown area by October 2025.
But many residents and small business owners say the idea isn’t just unpopular — it could spur tourist flight.
“Introducing parking fees could deter both locals and visitors alike,” reads a plea from a community-led Change-org campaign that’s drawn nearly 5,000 signatories in a matter of days.
Critics assert that the paid parking would literally drive off business and transform the wildly popular and largely walkable town into a less inviting and more commercialized zone.
City officials were compelled to respond to the backlash and released a video to dispel what it called “rumors” about the initiative.
It noted that the platform would use mobile phones without the need for unsightly meters and would only impact roughly half of the spots in the downtown zone.
Small businesses, many of which rely on the ease and accessibility of current free parking, could be hit hardest, the campaign alleges.
“Many shops and restaurants in our historic downtown area survive on the ease and accessibility currently provided by the free parking arrangement,” it warns.
And while the Commission sees meters as a modern source of revenue for the area, critics argue that it’s a fast track to an economic slowdown.
The concern stretches beyond just wallets and parking spots. “This move would not only impact businesses but also diminish the unique feel of our town,” the campaign continues.
Locals worry that Fernandina Beach’s “informal, welcoming nature” is exactly what constitutes its appeal — and that paid parking could flatten that charm into something much more transactional.
Congestion , they said, would likely shift into nearby neighborhoods as drivers look for free alternatives, leaving nearby homeowners frustrated.
The campaign urges the City Commission to reconsider and explore less invasive options — like improved public transportation, better parking management, or partnerships with private lots.
“Once the small-town charm is gone, it’s irreplaceable,” the campaign warns.
There will be a town hall meeting on the issue on Tuesday June 24.
