FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. – Paid parking enforcement officially began Monday in downtown Fernandina Beach, despite months of resident opposition and recent legal challenges to stop the initiative.
The new parking system charges $2 per hour plus fees, though city commissioners confirmed to News4Jax that there will be a 30-day grace period where violators will receive warnings instead of tickets.
According to Jax Today, a judge recently dismissed four out of five counts on an injunction aimed at stopping the paid parking policy, clearing the way for Monday’s implementation.
Local Impact and Opposition
“I don’t even know why they’re sitting there if they don’t listen to what we say,” said Marian Phillips, a resident opposing the paid parking initiative.
Local businesses are already expressing concerns about the impact on their customer base. Christy Canter, an employee at A Coastal Christmas, reports seeing early signs of trouble.
“I’ve already started to see it,” Canter said. “In the past week or so, I’ve had a lot of customers telling me that they loved it here before, but they probably won’t be coming back because of the parking situation.”
Even visitors to the area have mixed feelings about the new system. “Paying for parking is a nuisance,” said Jennifer Palmieri, a visitor from Michigan. “Even though it’s a small amount, to people, it feels like a nuisance and a penalty where it’s something they had for free.”
Jacksonville residents Ali and Michael McGowan, who were visiting the area, offered a balanced perspective: “I can see for the profit, from the profitable standpoint, where they need the money and need the funds for the upkeep, but it’s just one extra layer that I don’t like to do.”
Parking Details and Permits
The paid parking zone covers downtown on-street spaces from Ash Street to Alachua Street and Front Street to 8th Street, as well as designated surface lots throughout downtown. The enforcement schedule is:
- Monday through Saturday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Sunday: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Permit holders receive special benefits:
- Four hours of free daily parking in on-street spaces
- Eight hours of free parking in surface lots
- $2 per hour plus fees after the free period
Non-permit holders get the first 20 minutes free each day to encourage quick stops. Vehicles with valid disabled placards may park free without a permit.
Public Parking Locations
Downtown public parking lots are available at:
- South 4th Street (between Ash Street and Centre Street)
- North 2nd Street at Alachua Street
- North 2nd Street at Broome Street
- North 3rd Street at Alachua Street
- North 5th Street between Centre Street and Alachua Street
- South 2nd Street at Ash Street across from City Hall
- City Hall parking lot (weekdays after 5 p.m. and all day on weekends)
- Front Street parking lots A-D adjacent to the City Marina
Future of Paid Parking
Residents haven’t given up their fight. A charter amendment referendum is scheduled for August, which would allow voters to decide on the paid parking issue. However, according to Section 141 of the Fernandina Beach City Charter, even if voters approve an initiative ordinance against paid parking, city commissioners could potentially overturn it with a supermajority vote of four out of five commissioners.
Getting a Parking Permit
One Parking, the city’s parking services provider, will maintain a local office at the Fernandina Beach Police Department, 1525 Lime Street. The city is hosting three remaining parking permit open houses at City Hall:
- Monday, Feb. 16 - 2 p.m. - 7 p.m.
- Tuesday, Feb. 17 - 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- Wednesday, Feb. 18 - 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
For more information about paid parking or to register for a parking permit, visit fbfl.us/873/Parking.
Safety Tips for Downtown Parking
The city advises drivers to:
- Observe one-way street signs
- Watch for pedestrians
- Allow at least 10 feet for traffic lanes when parking on-street
- Do not cross traffic lanes to park
- Follow posted delivery routes for semi-trailer trucks
- Exercise caution when backing up, as nearly half of local traffic crashes occur during backing maneuvers
- Be aware of special parking regulations during holidays and events
Beach Parking Rules
For beachgoers, on-beach parking at Seaside Beach (Sadler Road) is prohibited from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. year-round. Public beach access parking lots have their own posted hours that must be followed.