ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando City Commission is scheduled to hold a public hearing and final vote Monday on a proposal that would extend paid parking hours downtown and change fines for tickets received for improper parking.
Under the proposal, paid parking hours would extend from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays. Currently, drivers pay for metered street parking from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.
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Opposition to the proposal’s extended parking hours has also gained traction online. More than 600 people have signed a petition urging city leaders not to extend paid parking enforcement until 8 p.m.
On May 11, commissioners approved higher fees for hourly street parking, daily street parking, and event parking. Most on-street parking rates will increase by $1 per hour, doubling the current $1 hourly rate. Off-street parking rates will climb from $15 to $20, and event parking in garages will jump from $10 to $20.
Parking violation fines are also set to rise Monday. A meter violation ticket will increase from $20 to $25, while blocking traffic with an illegally parked vehicle will carry a $35 fine, up from $30. The steepest jump applies to serious safety violations — blocking a fire hydrant or fire lane will now cost drivers $50, up from $30.
According to city estimates, the changes could generate approximately $5.5 million annually, which would be reinvested into city projects and improvements.
The proposal has sparked mixed reactions among residents and visitors.
“I know it’s probably going to be tough to pay a little bit more to come down here, but I think if the money would be used to make it better to come down here, then it would probably be a better experience to go downtown,” said Anne Shirley Lewis.
Others questioned whether the additional revenue would directly benefit residents.
“If we’re just going to go and set the city up to look comparable to all these other cities just for us to look good, but it’s like underneath all that layer where we actually do what we need to do for our people,” said Ridge Bonnick.
For some visitors, the increased costs could make trips downtown less appealing.
“I already live about 20 minutes away, so just thinking there’s something else that could, you know, take me off of that. Just $20 is like, you know, just to get a coffee or a matcha,” said Adrian Ortiz.
Despite the proposed changes, drivers would still be able to park for free on weekends, holidays, and outside enforcement hours.
Orlando also offers a free parking program through the ParkMobile app. Users can enter the code “PARKDTO” to receive complimentary parking in eligible metered and non-metered downtown spaces.
According to the city’s website, the promotion can be used up to 16 times.
Commissioners are expected to make a final decision during Monday’s meeting at 2 p.m.