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THOUSANDS of drivers may be forced to fork hundreds of dollars over parking penalties after officials approved a massive fine increase in one West Coast state.
On Monday, officials with the city of Lakewood in Pierce County, Washington roughly 40 miles south of Seattle voted to increase parking fines by more than $100.
Drivers in Lakewood, Washington are set to see a massive increase in parking fines starting next week[/caption]
Starting next week, drivers who make any parking infraction in the city will face a fine of $145.
Previously, the city issued out a number of different fines that ranged between $20 and $250, according to The News Tribune.
For small infractions like parking on a sidewalk, Lakewood drivers would typically be fined $20.
Whereas those who ran a red light with their vehicle would have to fork over a maxim of $101.
Fines also varied for infractions like blocking traffic – a $124 ticket – or blocking access for the Postal Service – a $35 ticket.
Drivers have also faced fines as high as $250 for parking violations caught on automatic traffic safety cameras, according to The News Tribune.
City officials sought to increase these parking fines after claiming the current low amounts were causing repeat offenders.
“Residents continue to report the violation, increasingly frustrated that the situation is not improving,” city attorney Heidi Wachter wrote in the appeal to increase the fines.
“The current penalty is not providing resolution of the issue.”
Wachter argued that without implementing more serious and “meaningful consequences” for drivers, enforcing parking rules and regulations would continue to be a challenge in the city.
As a result, the city council voted in favor of implementing a universal $145 fee for all parking violations.
The new fines will not be implemented for other driving infractions such as speeding in a school zone.
Those penalties are still set to follow state law, which can result in fines of anywhere between $223 and $817, according to The News Tribune.
Brynn Grimley, a spokesperson for the city, confirmed to the outlet that the new fines will go into effect on August 12.
Are you covered by law to park on a public street?
Parking on a public street is generally legal, even in front of someone's house, experts say.
Unless the home is in an HOA subdivision, an apartment complex with assigned spaces, or there are posted laws against parking during certain days or hours, it is not illegal to park a vehicle in front of someone’s home on a public street.
“Generally speaking, an individual citizen does not ‘own’ or have any ongoing exclusive right to use a parking space on a public street,” wrote Nolo Legal.
“These spaces are open to the public on a first-come, first-serve basis.”
Most states do have rules against vehicles being parked in the same spot for 72 hours, or blocking fire hydrants, driveways, and sidewalks, as a parked vehicle in those spaces presents a safety hazard.
OTHER PARKING HIKES
Lakewood, Washington isn’t the only city seeing big hikes in parking and driving fines in recent months.
Since August 1, drivers in Toronto, Canada are now required to hand over more cash if they break three different parking rules.
- Failing to pay the meter now costs drivers $50, up from $30
- Parking in a bike lane now sees a fine of $200, up from $140
- Gas powered cars parked in electric vehicle charging stations will have to pay a $75 fine
“Increasing fines can help reduce congestion by discouraging drivers from parking and stopping their vehicles in high-traffic areas and encouraging people to consider other modes of transportation,” the city previously said in a statement.
In Hickory, North Carolina, drivers recently saw a massive 200% increase in parking fines overnight.
Instead of a measly $5, drivers will now have to pay $15 for parking downtown.
