HISTORY OF DOWNTOWN SARASOTA PARKING
Downtown Sarasota, Florida has had a history of parking issues since the automobile became popular, including: Early days: People would load up supplies at Turner and Co. on Lower Main Street. 1920s: Sarasota became a vacation destination, and Henry Ford’s Model Ts were being produced in large numbers. 1913: J.B. Turner, a prominent local merchant and one of Sarasota’s first automobile owners, built the first parking lot in Sarasota. It was a 100′ x 35′ covered lot behind his store on Main Street. Mid-1950s: The city suggested buying downtown property to create off-street parking 2011: The city installed pole-mounted parking meters in downtown Sarasota. 2012: The paid parking program was terminated after business owners pressed the city, citing decreased sales. 2015: The State Street garage opened. 2018: The Sarasota City Commission voted to reinstall parking meters in downtown Sarasota. 2019: Paid parking returned to downtown Sarasota.
LOCAL BUSINESS OWNERS PUSH BACK (Recent History Links)
Downtown Sarasota businesses threaten lawsuit if free parking is not reinstated
Downtown Sarasota merchants push for return to free parking on Palm Avenue, consider suit (msn.com)
City of Sarasota implementing extra charges for certain parking in the city (mysuncoast.com)
Parking policy changes to take effect July 15, 2024
Note: Revised July 15, 2024 to clarify that warnings are one-time only during the first week of implementation. The next violation will result in a citation.
Sarasota, FL: Following extensive public engagement, new public parking policies will take effect Monday, July 15 to increase turnover and efficiency of City of Sarasota public parking spaces.
Effective Monday, July 15, 2024:
- Electric vehicle charging: A $1 per hour fee will begin for the use of electric vehicle charging stations in public parking spaces citywide.
- Garage parking: The complimentary parking period at the State Street and Palm Avenue garages will be reduced from 2 hours to 1 hour. The cost of parking for the second hour will be $2 and the cost for each hour after the second will be $1. The daily maximum will remain $23.
- Credit card only: Metered parking spaces citywide will accept credit cards only. Payment also will be accepted via the ParkMobile app.
- Benjamin Franklin Drive: Paid parking will be implemented for 80 premium spaces along Benjamin Franklin Drive on Lido Key. The rate will be $1 per hour.
Free: The 368 public parking spaces at the Lido Beach Pavilion surface lot will remain free.
- Centennial Park: Paid parking will begin at the Centennial Park Boat Ramp. Fees will be $5 for a single vehicle all day and $10 for a vehicle with a trailer all day.
During the initial week of implementation, parking ambassadors will be on site to educate and offer assistance. Written warnings will be provided one-time only to inform drivers about the changes.
“We’re a growing city and our parking program needs to reflect best practices around the country that encourage parking space turnover without deterring visitors who want to experience all that Sarasota has to offer,” said Parking Manager Broxton Harvey. “The new policies are going into effect following considerable community outreach, discussion, listening to stakeholders and approval by the City Commission. These changes strike a needed balance for our community.”
The Parking Division began discussing recommended changes with the public in August 2023. Over eight months, staff hosted a special parking information community meeting, presented to stakeholders and shared details about the proposed changes during three City Commission meetings before the policies were adopted.
More information about public parking policies, programs and initiatives is available at www.Sarasotafl.gov/Parking
Questions about public parking should be directed to Parkinginfo@sarasotaFL.gov
Valid Parking Placard or License plates
-
Must only be used by the permit holder. The permit holder must have their driver license or ID card on-hand when using the permit.
-
Must be hung from the rear-view mirror, with the permit number visible from the front of the vehicle, when the vehicle is parked. The permit should not hang from the rear-view mirror when the vehicle is in motion.
-
Permits issued in Florida
- Permits issued in Florida
- must have a valid, yellow registration decal attached to both sides of the permit.
-
Must display on one side, the permit holder’s driver license or ID card number, or the authorized organization’s FEIN number.
-
Valid Out of State Permits will be Accepted
Citation Processing & Appeals
Pay Your Citation
- Pay Your Citation Online
- In Person or by Mail*
Send ticket with check or money order to:
City of Sarasota, Parking Operations Division
1575 2nd Street (NEW Location)
Sarasota, FL 34236 - Parking Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8am – 4:30 p.m. (Closed on City Holidays)
*Payments must be postmarked within 14 days of Citation Date to avoid late fee accrual.
How Avoid Getting a Citation
- Read all parking signage where you want to park.
- Notice arrows that point the direction in which the restriction applies.
- If using a meter, enter your license plate correctly.
- Ensure your vehicle license plate is valid and the appropriate decal is affixed (required).
- Park in the direction of traffic.
- Avoid backing into park – NOTE WHERE POSTED THIS LAW IS STRICTLY ENFORCED.
Request a Citation Appeal
Consider the following questions before determining to contest a parking ticket:
- Was I unsure of the law before choosing to park in the spot?
- Am I unaware of the laws pertaining to the citation?
- Did I not see the signs in the area?
- Were you in a hurry? Or was held over in a meeting?
- Am I the only person that received a ticket?
- Is the vehicle owned by someone else?
Answering yes to any of these questions, should indicate an appeal may not be provided. Violations are photographed at the time the ticket is written. There is a $7.50 fee to process an appeal if the citation is upheld.
Request for Citation Dismissal
- Request for Citation Dismissal (PDF Form)
Parking Locations and Regulations:
On-Street Meter Parking (Downtown and St. Armands)
- On-street meter parking within the downtown or the St. Armands area have meters along their main corridors. Parking fees for up to four hours are free for visitors who properly display a currently valid parking placard from their rear-view mirror or have a handicap license plate as per Florida statues 316.1964
On-Street Time Restricted Areas:
- Time restrictions are waived for up to four hours for visitors who properly display a currently valid parking placard from their rear-view mirror or have a handicap license plate as per Florida statues 316.1964
Metered Surface Lots/ Gated Garage Parking
- All fees are still applicable to those parking in Metered Surface lots or city owned gated Parking Garages (Palm Ave Garage/ State Street Garage/ St. Armands Garage)
- Garages Parking Fees may be waived for individuals with a Disabled Parking Permit if their vehicle has “specialized equipment such as ramps, lifts, or foot or hand controls, for use by a person who has a disability, or any vehicle displaying the Florida toll Exemption Permit” as per Florida Statue 316.1964.
Parking Locations and Regulations:
On-Street Meter Parking (Downtown and St. Armands)
- On-street meter parking within the downtown or the St. Armands area have meters along their main corridors. Parking fees for up to four hours are free for visitors who properly display a currently valid parking placard from their rear-view mirror or have a handicap license plate as per Florida statues 316.1964
On-Street Time Restricted Areas:
- Time restrictions are waived for up to four hours for visitors who properly display a currently valid parking placard from their rear-view mirror or have a handicap license plate as per Florida statues 316.1964
Metered Surface Lots/ Gated Garage Parking
- All fees are still applicable to those parking in Metered Surface lots or city owned gated Parking Garages (Palm Ave Garage/ State Street Garage/ St. Armands Garage)
- Garages Parking Fees may be waived for individuals with a Disabled Parking Permit if their vehicle has “specialized equipment such as ramps, lifts, or foot or hand controls, for use by a person who has a disability, or any vehicle displaying the Florida toll Exemption Permit” as per Florida Statue 316.1964.
What if I still get a Parking Citation?
Types of Citations
City/State Violations
- Time Restriction violation ($25)
- Unpaid Meter ($25)
- Expired Registration ($35)
- Parked outside a marked space ($35)
Disabled Parking Citations
- Handicap Access Aisle ($250)
- Illegal parking Disabled space ($250)
What form do I need to fill out to appeal a citation?
- If you feel you have received a Disabled Parking Citation (cost of $250.00) in error, and you have a valid Disabled parking placard and Matching Driver’s license, you may appeal the citation by completing the Request for Disabled Citation Dismissal. There is still a $7.50 administrative Fee for processing.
- For all other appeals (Cost $25-$50), you can submit a Request for Citation Dismissal.
What Documents do I need to bring?
- Parking citation
- Valid Issued Disabled Parking Placard or Vehicle registration indicating Disabled License plate.
- Driver’s license that corresponds to the Disabled parking placard/license plate and Driver’s License of Persons Driving the vehicle. Any supporting documentation to prove the ticket was issued in error (i.e.. Paid parking receipt)
