On Monday, August 11, 2025, the St. Augustine City Commission voted to advance Ordinance 2025-22, which increases illegal parking fines to $100, to second reading for a public hearing. In response to residents’ and community stakeholder frustrations during Nights of Lights in 2024, this amendment attempts to address parking on yellow curbs, in front of fire hydrants, and loading zones, for example. Often times, when this occurs, it causes interference with parking in residential neighborhoods, where drivers are willing to pay a parking fine, currently set at $35, rather than to park in a legal space or use alternative parking solutions, such as free parking and shuttles, provided by the City.
“This is intended to de-incentivize drivers from parking illegally because they don’t mind a $35 ticket,” remarked Assistant City Manager Reuben Franklin. Franklin continued, “This does not change or impact fines for expired meters or violations in legitimate, legal parking spaces and lots.”
The ordinance will be placed on the August 25, 2025, City Commission agenda for second reading, and the public hearing will provide an opportunity for those interested in making public comments to be heard by the city commission.
For media inquiries, contact Melissa Wissel, Communications Director, at 904.293.3307 or via email at mwissel@citystaug.com.