US city parking crackdown now in effect with fines up to $500 – but under ’14-day’ rule you could pay half
DRIVERS are facing increased fines of up to $500 after a city rolled out a new plan to reduce traffic and crack down on illegal parking.
The enhanced penalties, which went into effect on April 19, also aim to increase safety for locals and visitors.
The changes are taking place in San Marcos, Texas, a city of roughly 70,000 that is part of the Greater Austin Metropolitan Area.
The fees may come as a surprise to not only visitors but also locals as they've increased, and more than doubled in some cases, for the first time since 2003.
The new fines depend on the level of the offense.
Drivers who are hit with a level one parking ticket will be fined $50, a $30 increase from 2023.
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Level one tickets are issued for low-risk parking violations such as parking within 20 feet of a crosswalk, having wheels more than 18 inches from the curb, parking on the wrong side of the street, or parking within four feet of a mailbox during specific hours.
Level two violations are issued to drivers who back into spaces that prohibit back-in parking, park in a no-parking zone, block a driveway or alley, or obstruct a sidewalk.
They will cost a driver $100, up from $30.
Level three violations have increased from $50 to $250, while level four violations remain at $500.
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Obstructing a fire zone, parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant or in a bicycle lane, or parking a commercial vehicle in a residential area will result in a level three violation.
Level four violations are the highest tier of penalties and do not include associated court or administration fees.
The city is hoping to provide drivers who commit level-one offenses some relief.
They can pay only half the fine if it's their first citation in 12 months but it must be paid within 14 days of the issue date.
The city has also lengthened the timeframe before drivers are hit with a late fee, which will be applied after 30 days, up from 15.
Mayor Jane Huson said the heightened fees shouldn't worry residents who follow the rules.
"These are self-inflicted wounds. You can avoid this raise by not getting a parking ticket," she said during a city council meeting, as reported by the University Star.
"This isn’t a tax that people have to pay."
The city's parking enforcement coordinator, Samantha Deyo, explained the outcome the department hopes to see as a result of the price hikes.
"Effective parking enforcement ensures reduced traffic congestion, improved visibility and accessibility, enhanced pedestrian safety, and mitigates the likelihood of accidents while improving overall street safety," Deyo wrote.
Deyo said drivers concerned with any penalties they receive should contact officials.
"If you get a citation, don’t ignore it, get with the court and they can find a way to help out most of the time," said Deyo.
How to fight a parking ticket
You can avoid being ticketed by following all posted laws and ordinances, but sometimes mistakes are made
Like any form of citation, parking tickets are preventable by reading and obeying posted signage. However, when visiting a new city, or state, or in a hurry, things can be missed and mistakes are made.
Suddenly there's a ticket you weren't prepared to pay for. If the ticket is a surprise to you, there are a few things you can do to help your case when appealing a parking ticket.
- Carefully read the ticket. Look for errors like incorrect street names, license plate numbers, vehicle make and model, time and date, etc. Errors would then make the ticket invalid.
- Take photos. Of the vehicle in the parking space, lack of signage, or other vehicles that weren't cited for performing the same parking job. If the ticket involves parking too close to something like a fire hydrant, a photo showing a reasonable distance would help your case. Make sure metadata with the time and date are accessible. Signs that are obstructed by trees, or are on bent posts, or aren't "obvious" are great things to photograph, too.
- Make sure the statute that was violated is listed on the ticket. If not listed, the ticket is not valid.
- Promptly follow the appeal instructions on the ticket. All legitimate tickets will have directions for appeal. Waiting until the very last moment weakens your argument and can result in late fees.
- When in court, avoid these phrases as they reduce your credibility and weaken your argument:
- "I didn’t know the law."
- "I was on my way to move my car."
- "I can’t afford this ticket."
- "I’ve been doing this for years."
- "I checked with the parking officer, who said it was OK."
- Contact a lawyer. If you're running into roadblocks and feel stuck, it may be best to reach out to a traffic lawyer in your area. Many have free case consultations.
Source: Reader's Digest
This isn't the first time San Marcos has cracked down on parking.
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In August 2023, the city implemented a booting ordinance to penalize drivers with unpaid parking tickets by booting or impounding their vehicles.
A driver with unpaid tickets would, however, receive a sticker giving them 10 days to pay or appeal the ticket before being booted.