New March 1 law will see parking tickets jump to $25 if you’re caught with meter issue

When drivers are caught by a typical meter issue, a new regulation that will go into effect on March 1 will increase parking charges in a large city to $25.

As officials seek more revenue, which they claim will be utilized to enhance services, the cost of a permit will also rise.

A significant revision to the city’s parking regulations has been authorized by the Columbia, South Carolina, City Council.

Council members approved raising ticket penalties for metered spots by a vote of 9 to 1.

This will increase the fine drivers receive to $25 when the meter runs out.

The change represents a more than 300% increase from its former price of $8.

The price of a basic permit will also increase, ranging from 75c to $1.50 for on-street parking.

It was supposed to reach $2, but the growth was capped due to public outcry during a survey.

Additionally, the $200 fine for parking in a fire lane will more than double to $500.

The city quickly emphasized, though, that the new legislation also contains some cost savings for drivers.

The cost of the corresponding guest permit will be cut in half, from $48 to $24, and the 24-month owner-occupant residential permit will be reduced from $120 to $30 per vehicle.

Additionally, free parking will be available on all city-owned parking decks for the first hour of your visit.

Additionally, drivers will have a little reprieve until the new fees take effect.

Originally scheduled to launch on January 1st, the program was postponed until March 1st, 2025.

To raise awareness of the changes, drivers will receive tickets for the first two weeks with no fine attached.

On Saturdays, the majority of the city won’t be covered either.

At the request of local businesses, limitations will only apply to the Five Points neighborhood on that day.

After speaking with another mayor who had taken a similar action, city mayor Daniel Rickenmann informed WLTX that he made the decision to implement the measures.

When it was only $8, people would sit there all day, so we had to change their behavior, so we went from $8 to $25 as well,” he stated.

“They began figuring out that staying there would be less expensive than moving, which caused issues for their restaurants and retailers.

People even left it there for a full day without flipping it over.

“What we are gonna do is and invest in the system, make it better and easier for people to use.”

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