Sarasota parking fee changes will begin July 15

Recent Sarasota City Commission-approved changes to the city’s parking program are scheduled to take effect Monday, July 15.

“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 in a news release.

The changes include:

• 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, Palm Avenue and Second Street garages will be reduced from two hours to one hour. The cost of parking for the second hour will be $2 and the cost for each hour thereafter 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 spaces along Benjamin Franklin Drive on Lido Key. The rate will be $1 per hour.
• Centennial Park: Paid parking will begin at the boat ramp at $5 for a single vehicle all day and $10 for a vehicle with a trailer all day.

During the first week of implementation, citations will not be issued. Instead, written warnings will be provided to inform drivers about the changes.