ATLANTIC BEACH, Fla. – Atlantic Beach residents are once again becoming frustrated by visitors parking illegally along residential streets.
One resident sent News4Jax a photo showing a truck illegally parked next to a stop sign over the weekend near 15th Street and Ocean Boulevard.
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Interim city manager Kevin Hogencamp said the concerns aren't new but they are being addressed.
“Public parking is an age-old challenge in communities such as ours where we are fortunate enough to have a beautiful beach. And, of course, the conversation really gets going this time of the year, when the weather turns. It’s an annual ritual,” Hogencamp said in an email to News4Jax.
He said the parking troubles are amplified in Atlantic Beach because of the residential nature of the community, the increasing population and the record numbers of visitors to the beaches every year.
“People are going to park illegally, and we are going to write tickets, particularly when there is a complaint,” Hogencamp said.
Residents are asked to call in parking complaints to the non-emergency police number at 904-247-5859.
Hogencamp said some residents are considering starting or beefing up neighborhood watches to help better enforce illegal parking.
“We think that’s a great idea,” he said, adding that the process can get started by calling 247-5859 or emailing tlayson@coab.us.
Hogencamp said that people who choose to park on a city right-of-way need to remember these rules:
Otherwise, here are some additional guidelines of where parking is NOT allowed:
- On the roadway side of another parked vehicle (double parking).
- On crosswalks.
- On sidewalks.
- In front of driveways.
- By curbs painted yellow or where "No Parking" signs are posted.
- Within intersections.
- Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.
- Within 20 feet of the entrance to a fire, ambulance or rescue squad station.
- On the hard surface of a highway where parking spaces are not marked.
- Within 30 feet of any flashing signal, stop sign or traffic signal.
- In such a way that you block or create a hazard for other vehicles.