By Kate Kimmel
Fernandina Beach city staff on Thursday answered questions about the city’s new paid parking program during a small press event aimed at clarifying how the system will work for residents, workers and visitors. The program, approved by the City Commission earlier this month, is designed to generate revenue for major infrastructure projects while reducing congestion in the downtown core. Implementation begins Feb. 16, with a 30-day “soft launch” period before citations are issued.
Q: Why is the city implementing a paid parking program?
A: City commissioners and staff say they need a dedicated revenue source for major infrastructure projects, including the seawall replacement and the Brett’s Waterway demolition. After months of discussion and public input, officials decided a paid parking program would place the cost primarily on downtown visitors rather than local taxpayers.
Deputy City Manager Jeremiah Glisson summed it up this way: “There is no free parking — someone’s paying for it.”
Q: I’m a Fernandina Beach resident. Why should I have to pay to park downtown if I already pay taxes?
A: You likely won’t. City residents may register up to two vehicles for free permits. Those vehicles may park on-street within the paid parking zone for up to four hours and in surface parking lots within the zone for up to eight hours at no cost.
Q: What if I own more than two vehicles?
A: Residents may register additional vehicles for $24 per vehicle annually.
Q: I live within the paid parking zone. Do I have to pay to park outside my home? A: No. Residents who live within the zone may register up to two vehicles that can park within the zone 24/7 at no charge.
Q: I work downtown but live outside Fernandina Beach. Can I get a permit?
A: Yes. Non-residents may purchase a permit for $124 annually or $60 per month. The permit provides the same parking privileges as a resident permit. You do not need to work in Fernandina Beach to purchase a permit.
Q: I don’t want to buy a permit. How much does parking cost, and how do I pay? A: Parking within the paid parking zone will cost $2 per hour. Rather than installing meters or kiosks, the city will post about 200 signs throughout the zone. Each sign will include a QR code linking to vehicle registration and payment, a text-to-pay option, and a phone number to call. If someone has difficulty paying, One Parking’s customer service number will also be listed on the signs.
Q: When will paid parking be enforced?
A: Enforcement will run Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 6 p.m. Parking outside those hours is free and does not count toward permit time limits.
Q: Where is the paid parking zone?
A: Paid parking will be enforced on Ash, Centre and Alachua streets from Eighth Street to the waterfront, as well as in five surface parking lots within the zone. All parking outside the zone — shown on the city’s map with a red border — will remain free.
Q: What if I’m only downtown briefly to run errands or drop something off?
A: The first 20 minutes of parking will be free.
Q: What happens if I have a permit but stay longer than the free time allows?
A: When registering a vehicle, permit holders must enter a payment method. Drivers may opt into autopay, which automatically charges the card on file for additional time rather than issuing a citation.
Q: I’m a disabled placard holder. Will I have to register or pay?
A: No. Disabled placard holders may park for free without a permit.
Q: How will paid parking be enforced?
A: One Parking, the company contracted to run the program, will staff two enforcement officers and one manager. Officers will patrol using license plate scanners that indicate whether a vehicle has a permit, has paid or has failed to pay. One Parking will maintain an office at the Fernandina Beach Police Department.
Q: When does the program begin?
A: Implementation begins Feb. 16, but citations will not be issued for the first 30 days. During this “soft launch,” vehicles that violate parking rules will receive informational notices rather than tickets. City staff say the goal is to identify and fix issues before full enforcement begins.
Q: How do I register for a permit?
A: Pre-registration for city residents opens Feb. 1. Residents may register online using a QR code included with their utility bill, though online registration may take 24 to 48 hours to process. City staff recommend not parking immediately after registering online. The city also plans to host three to four in-person registration open houses with One Parking, where registration will be processed immediately.
Q: How much will a citation cost?
A: Citations may carry fines of up to $50 under the city’s paid parking ordinance. If the fine is not paid within 15 days, the Police Department will issue a mailed notice and add a $20 late fee. Drivers enrolled in autopay will not receive citations for exceeding time limits and will receive text alerts when their parking time is about to expire.
Q: What if I receive a citation because of an emergency or a payment issue?
A: The city will offer an appeal process. Drivers may explain the circumstances, provide documentation and request that the citation be waived.
Q: Where can I find more information, and how can I contact the city with questions?
A: Residents and visitors can view maps, FAQs and permit registration details at www.fbfl.us/parking. Questions can be sent to parking@fbfl.city.
Q: How can I send and view questions from my phone?
A: The City of Fernandina Beach has a mobile app called My COFB available for download on smartphones. To ask and view answered questions, click the “FAQ” button on the bottom right of the app’s home screen.
Nassau NewsLine will continue to monitor the implementation of the paid parking program and provide updates as the Feb. 1 pre-registration period and Feb. 16 start date approach.
kkimmel@nassaunewsline.net
