ST. PETE BEACH, Fla. — It’ll soon cost you more to park in St. Pete Beach as commissioners late Tuesday approved increasing rates to $5/hour during the week and $6/hour on weekends, including Friday.
Rates will go even higher during tourist season from February to April. All told, the city says it’ll raise close to $2 million a year to pay for long-overdue infrastructure maintenance and upgrades. But new mayor Scott Tate says he wants more discussion in the weeks to come on “duration-based” pricing.
“How can we investigate a dynamic pricing based on… duration of time that they’re staying [here,]” he said. “I would like to see us turn those spots over because they’re coming and shopping and eating at our restaurants.”
It’s the latest in a series of parking price hikes for Pinellas County beaches.
Just last month, Indian Rocks Beach went up to $4.50/hour; last year, Treasure Island brought back paid parking at $4/hour, and county beaches like Fort DeSoto are now a flat fee of $6/day.
The flat rate for holidays and special events on St. Pete Beach will nearly double to $40/day.
SPB isn’t the only area still considering parking rate increases; Tarpon Springs has also debated charging to park at Sunset Beach.