Indian Rocks Beach leaders are considering a paid parking pilot for beach access areas, with commissioners set to hear feedback at Tuesday’s meeting.

INDIAN ROCKS BEACH, Fla. — Plans to charge visitors for parking at beach access points in Indian Rocks Beach are back before city leaders after public opposition slowed momentum on the proposal.

City commissioners approved moving forward with a paid parking pilot program in December, but the issue returns to the agenda Tuesday night as officials consider public feedback and whether changes are needed.

City leaders say the idea of paid parking is not new and has been discussed for years, but storms and recovery efforts delayed action.

“This isn’t a new topic. It’s something that this community, its neighbors, its commission, has talked about for years,” City Manager Ryan Henderson said. “As we head into 2026, this commission and the administration feel that it’s the right time to move forward and to implement a paid parking program.”

The proposal advanced in December would create a pilot program charging $4.50 an hour, seven days a week, from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., at roughly half of the city’s public parking spaces — primarily about 180 beach access spots.

“That was what was unanimously supported in December,” Henderson said. “But certainly, as the commission considers the feedback that we’ve received over the past couple months, and the feedback we get tomorrow night, that’s something that could change.”

City officials say revenue from paid parking would help cover major infrastructure needs, including stormwater improvements, by shifting some of the financial burden to visitors.

“Small city, small budget, big needs,” Henderson said. “We have $13 million worth of stormwater improvements that we need to figure out how to fund over the upcoming years. What we’re asking is for visitors to help support us to maintain Indian Rocks Beach into the future.”

Under the proposal, residents would be exempt from paying for parking and would instead receive parking decals, while visitors would be required to pay at beach access points.

Some residents have raised concerns that paid parking could push more vehicles into nearby neighborhoods. Henderson said enforcement would be part of the plan, including higher penalties for violations.

“We’re actually also raising our parking violation fee from $75 to $100 and enforcing parking in the neighborhoods where there are no parking signs,” he said.

The city commission meeting is scheduled for Tuesday at 6 p.m., and public comment will be allowed on the issue.