Reminder: Fines for Asheville parking infractions increase Feb. 1

A new parking violations fine schedule will go into effect Feb. 1, 2019. Approved by City Council Nov. 27, the parking fine increases include the following:

  •         Overtime parking at metered or non-metered spaces will go from $10 to $20.
  •         A second or subsequent violation within a 24-hour period will rise from $20 to $40.
  •         Loading/unloading zone violations will rise from $10 to $30.
  •         All other violations rise from $10 to $20.

Metered on-street parking rates remain the same, at $1.50 per hour.

Fire lane/fire hydrant tickets will remain $50 and handicap violations will remain $250.

During a typical year, Asheville Parking Enforcement Officers issue about 20,000 parking citations resulting in gross revenue of $200,000 (before any adjustments are made). For Fiscal Year 2016-17 and 2017-18, the adjusted year end revenues were $173,000 and $167,000 respectively. Parking violation fines and fees equal about 10% of parking revenues. With the proposed increases in the fine structure, the adjusted year-end revenues could conceivably double.

The action relates to City Council’s Strategic Operating Plan goal to “operate the City of Asheville to the highest levels of fiscal responsibility.”

For a copy of the Council action, visit this link.