9909-26 Docusign Envelope ID: C5998073-9A61-8361-8103-499065266666
ORDINANCE NO. 9909-26
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CLEARWATER,
FLORIDA, AMENDING CODE OF ORDINANCES,
CHAPTER 30, TRAFFIC AND MOTOR VEHICLES;
ALLOWING PAYMENT THROUGH MOBILE PLATFORMS;
ALLOWING DIGITAL PARKING PERMITS; CLARIFYING
CONTINUOUS PARKING PERIOD REQUIREMENTS;
ALLOWING PHONE AND EMAIL RESPONSE TO
PARKING TICKETS; REQUIRING AN ORIGINAL
AFFIDAVIT OR PLEA TO CONTEST PARKING TICKETS;
INCREASING THE PENALTIES FOR PARKING FINES;
CREATING MOBILE PAYMENT PARKING ZONES AND
ELIMINATING THE REQUIREMENT TO DISPLAY
PARKING RECEIPTS; AMENDING APPENDIX A —
SCHEDULE OF FEES, RATES AND CHARGES, ARTICLE
XIX STREETS, SIDEWALKS, OTHER PUBLIC PLACES
SECTIONS (4)-(5) INCREASING ADMINISTRATIVE FEES
AND INCREASING FEES FOR REMOVAL AND
REINSTALLATION OF PAY STATIONS; PROVIDING FOR
SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the City of Clearwater owns and operates several parking facilities
across the City and has recently adopted a mobile payment platform as the method of
collecting payments; and
WHEREAS, the City has also implemented digital parking permits and plate
scanning technology as the primary means of enforcement of parking fees; and
WHEREAS, the fines and fees related to parking have not been updated since
2005, and have not kept up with market conditions; and
WHEREAS, City staff have reviewed the fines and fees and recommend an
increase to the fees in order to better reflect the cost of providing the services. An increase
in the fines are recommended so that parking fines are not substantially similar in price
to the market rate for parking on a private lot or garage; and
WHEREAS, after a properly noticed public hearing, the City Council determines
that the adoption of this Ordinance is in the best interest of the City.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF CLEARWATER, FLORIDA:
SECTION 1: That City of Clearwater Code Section 30.040 be amended with the
following strikethrough language to be deleted and the underlined language to be added
to the City Code:
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"Sec. 30.040. - Parking in revenue generating city parking lots, garages and
other city property.
(1) It is unlawful for any person to remove a vehicle from any city owned or
operated parking lot, garage or property after the person shall have parked thereon
without first paying the attendant, aG is vatiRg aR aGGG66 ^r smart GaFd er depositing the
proper amount of money in a parking meter or multi-space parking pay station, or by
submitting payment through a city-authorized mobile payment platform, or for any person
to make any attempt thereof to defraud the city.
(2) It is unlawful to alter or duplicate, damage or destroy an accessor smart card,
spitter ticket, multi spaGe parkiRg pay statins FeGeipt permit, tag, placard or decal used
for parking control issued by the parking division or to make any attempt thereof to defraud
the city.
(3) No motorcycle shall enter into a parking garage or off-street parking lot which
is posted "No Motorcycles."
(4) It is unlawful to stop, stand or park in city owned or operated parking lots,
garages or other city properties that are reserved for hourly, daily, or monthly parking
without displaying an authorized permit, purchasing a digital parking permit or submitting
Payment at a parking meter, multi-space pay station, or through the city-authorized mobile
payment platform.
FeGeipt0 \etn n
SECTION 2. That City of Clearwater Code Section 30.043 be amended with the
following strikethrough language to be deleted and the underlined language to be added
to the City Code:
"Sec. 30.043. - Placement of motor vehicle in parking space.
(1) Any motor vehicle parked in any parking space in any publicly owned or
operated parking lot or publicly owned parking garage, or any painted on-street parking
spaces, shall be parked within the designated lines marked on the pavement, curb or
ground for such parking space so aGRGt tG GGGUPY meFe-than a ciRgle parkins spaGe
Each space shall be limited to no more than one motor vehicle per parking space and the
vehicle must not occupy more than one space.
(2) No truck, tractor truck or trailer shall occupy more than one parking space
where designated, except while actively loading or unloading and while all meters used
have been properly activated and/or when proper parking permits and/or multi-space
Parking pay station transactions have been completed and/or the mobile payment
platform has been used to complete the transaction for each occupied space. or Multi-
Gases of emeFgeRGY
(3) When an authorized section of pavement is marked with cross-hatched
pavement markings or otherwise indicating a safety zone it shall be a violation for any
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person to stop, stand or park any motor vehicle in such safety zone, unless specifically
indicated otherwise by the sign."
SECTION 3: That City of Clearwater Code Section 30.045 be amended with the
following strikethrough language to be deleted and the underlined language to be added
to the City Code:
"Sec. 30.045. - Handicapped parking spaces.
(1) No person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle within any specially designated and
marked space, which is marked as provided in F.S §§ 316.1955 and 316.1956, unless
such vehicle displays a parking permit issued by or recognized by the state for special
handicapped parking privileges and is transporting a person eligible for the parking
permit, or unless such vehicle is chauffeuring a disabled person and is making a
momentary stop to load or unload such disabled person.
(2)As provided in F.S. § 316.1964 When an on-street parking meter, pay station or mobile
Payment parking zone restricts the duration of time that a vehicle may be parked, a vehicle
properly displaying a disabled parking permit is allowed a maximum of four hours at no
charge; however, the vehicle is subject to ticketing for parking in excess of any posted
time limits.
(3)As provided in F.S. § 316.1964 When an off-street parking meter, pay station or mobile
Payment parking zone restricts the duration of time that a vehicle may be parked, a vehicle
properly displaying a disabled parking permit is subject to ticketing for parking in excess
of the posted time limits.
(4) Any person who violates this section shall be guilty of a noncriminal traffic infraction
and subject to a fine as set forth in section 30.061."
SECTION 4: That City of Clearwater Code Section 30.045 be amended with the
following strikethrough language to be deleted and the underlined language to be added
to the City Code:
"Sec. 30.046. - Obedience to parking signs during certain hours.
(1) When signs are erected in each block or public parking lot giving notice thereof, it shall
be unlawful for any person to park a motor vehicle for longer than such time as is
designated by such signs.
(2) The GhaRgiRg of the pesit moving of a motor vehicle from one parking space to
another parking space on the same block face without traveling through an intersection
(not including an alley intersection) shall be deemed one continuous parking period.
Leaving the timed public parking lot or block for any length of time and then returning the
same day will result in a continuation of the original parking session. P^i„+ giroGt y +„
ether PGiRt withiTrthe same blG& OF vii blip pa FkiRg lot shall bdeemed ��Q
GGRtiR atiGR Of GRe pa FkiRg peFie-d n
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SECTION 5: That City of Clearwater Code Section 30.059 be amended with the
following strikethrough language to be deleted and the underlined language to be added
to the City Code:
"Sec. 30.059. - Notice of illegally parked, stopped or standing vehicle.
Whenever any motor vehicle without a driver is found parked, stopped or standing
in violation of this article or any other provision of this chapter, the officer finding the
vehicle shall take its registration number and may take any other information displayed
on the vehicle which may identify its user, and shall conspicuously affix to the vehicle a
parking ticket ,n efer--tre^i^ forma+ er in writing on a form provided therefore, for the
registered owner to pay the fine listed thereon within 15 calendar days of the date of the
infraction or to answer the charge agaiRSt him within 15 calendar days of the date of the
infraction by contacting the designated parking violation processing services office by
phone, mail, e-mail, or in person at the location specified on the parking ticket."
SECTION 6: That City of Clearwater Code Section 30.060 be amended with the
following strikethrough language to be deleted and the underlined language to be added
to the City Code:
"Sec. 30.060. - Penalties/warning letter upon failure to comply with ticket.
(1) If a violator of the provisions of this article does not respond to the parking ticket
affixed to the motor vehicle by paying the fine listed thereon or by contacting the
designated parking violation processing services office specified on the parking ticket
within a period of 15 calendar days of the date of the infraction, the designated parking
violation processing services office, having jurisdiction of the subject matter shall, send
the registered owner to whose vehicle the parking ticket was affixed a warning letter
informing the registered owner of the violation and the fact that a penalty of $10.00 has
been assessed for the violation to cover additional administrative costs, except for fines
for violations involving handicapped parking which shall remain at the amount established
in section 30.061. If the fine indicated on the parking ticket is not paid within 30 days (in
addition to the penalty assessed after 15 days in the preceding sentence hereof) an
additional penalty of $15.00 will be assessed for the violation to cover additional
administrative costs. The designated parking violation processing services office will
issue up to two additional late notices to the registered owner. After 90 days the unpaid
ticket will be considered a delinquent account and will be handled through the delinquent
collection services division of the designated parking violation processing services office.
(2) Pursuant to F.S. § 938.35, parking violation fines and penalties for which full
payment is not received within 90 calendar days from the date of issuance will also be
subject to an additional collection fee if the account is referred to a private attorney who
is a member in good standing of the Florida Bar or to a collection agent who is registered
and in good standing pursuant to F.S. ch. 559, each retained by the city pursuant to its
applicable procurement practices to pursue the collection of such unpaid financial
obligations. The amount of such collection fee shall not exceed 40 percent of the amount
owed at the time the account is referred to the attorney or agents for collection, or in the
actual amount charged by such private attorney or agents for collection, whichever is less.
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(3) Overpayments. Any overpayments of fines/penalties will only be refunded if
specifically requested within 90 days of receipt of the overpayment.
(4) The designated parking violation processing services office shall supply the
State of Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles with a magnetically
encoded computer tape reel or cartridge or send by other electronic means data, which
is machine readable by the installed computer system at that department, listing persons
who have three or more outstanding parking violations or who have any outstanding
violations of F.S. § 316.1955.
(5) Contesting a violation. Any person who wishes to contest the validity of the
violation may request a court hearing by contacting the designated parking violation
processing services office within 15 calendar days of the date of the infraction. A person
contesting a violation must submit a notarized affidavit that states the basis for contesting
the violation or sign the appropriate City-provided form for contesting a violation.
Affidavits and/or forms contesting violations must be notarized or signed and submitted
in person at the designated parking violation processing office. The city manager's
designee may refect an affidavit or form contesting a violation that is incomplete or does
not contain the proper notarization of necessary signatures and shall notify the person of
the same. nnrc copy Grote parkiRg �iinl-A�r ho ir�nl��iJoiJ �eii+h +ho nnmr�lo�od roni Ioct
fnrm fnr , ,.n„r+ ho,rir,n Upon such request, a summons for a court appearance will be
issued to confirm the time and date of the court hearing.
(6) Ticket cancellation. The city manager's designee will establish and maintain a
parking ticket cancellation program. Tickets may be cancelled in lieu of court appearance
and dismissal by the designee when the complainant has a valid complaint. A valid
complaint may include but not be limited to an improperly written ticket, verified official
city business, ambulance transport, police department undercover vehicles, or a
malfunctioning meter.
(7) Ticket dismissal. The city manager's designee will establish and maintain a
parking ticket dismissal program. Properly issued tickets for failure to display or properly
display valid parking permits, valid multi-space parking pay station receipts, or handicap
hang-tags or any other recognized permit shall be dismissed in lieu of court appearance
and dismissal by the designee when the complainant can later produce valid proof of such
permit or hang-tag."
SECTION 7: That City of Clearwater Code Section 30.061 be amended with the
following strikethrough language to be deleted and the underlined language to be added
to the City Code:
"Sec. 30.061. - Fines.
Any person who violates any of the provisions of this article shall be subject, upon
conviction, to a fine as follows:
(1) Overtime parking, whether metered,--G+ unmetered or posted with a time
restriction .....$400- 35.00
(2) Improper parking .....20:-00- 40.00
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(3) Double parking .....21}00-$40.00
(4) No parking zone, including but not limited to parking without permit, near
fireplug, in reserved space, in alley, on sidewalk, near railroad, near intersection, in
driveway, loading zone, taxi stand, over curb in parkway .....28-a0-$40.00
(5) Motor running, no attendant .....4-5.00-$35.00
(6) Keys in ignition .....45 00-$35.00
(7) Stopping, standing, or parking a vehicle within a parking space designated for
persons who have disabilities without displaying a disabled parking permit .....$250.00
(8) Any other violation of this article .....20-00-$40.00
(9) In addition to the other penalties provided for herein there is hereby imposed a
surcharge of $5.00 on all parking fines to be used for funding a school crossing guard
program. This surcharge shall be paid by the designated parking violation processing
services office into the school crossing guard trust fund, a special revenue fund
maintained by the city. Funds collected from this surcharge shall be distributed quarterly
to fund a school crossing guard program as authorized by Section 316.660(3), Florida
Statutes."
SECTION 8: That City of Clearwater Code Chapter 30 Division 3 title shall be
amended with the following strikethrough language to be deleted and the underlined
language to be added to the City Code:
"DIVISION 3. PARKING METERS/ PAY STATIONS / MOBILE PAYMENT
PARKING ZONES /-REVENUE CONTROL EQUIPMENT"
SECTION 9: That City of Clearwater Code Section 30.093 shall be amended with
the following strikethrough language to be deleted and the underlined language to be
added to the City Code:
"Sec. 30.093. - Installation of parking meters, multi-space parking pay stations,
and designated mobile payment parking zones; operation.
(1) When parking meters, Gr multi-space parking pay stations, designated mobile parking
Payment zones, or other mobile payment signs are installed, the city manager shall place
such parking meters,GF multi-space parking pay stations, or mobile payment signage in
appropriate locations relative to each the parking spaces. EaGh parkin" MeteF OF Multi
spaGe paFking pay statiOR shall -him se set —:416 te shel.y Or disn_I_;;Y -a SigRal that the lawful
(2) The city manager shall provide for the regulation, control, operation and use of the
parking meters, GF multi-space parking pay stations, and designated mobile payment
parking zones provided for in this section and shall maintain such meters,,GF multi-space
parking pay stations, or mobile payment parking zone signage in good workable
Ca paFkiRg m or eF multi � FkiRg pay c n shall be so coot as to
condition. � ,�at��t�-spm t-�t�e„-�,
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I-tt'Fe�iter-aaTas er ani ai riz"`" type of paymTeu-nrt thierteinfer a perin�f tiimc
motor is placed.'
SECTION 10: That City of Clearwater Code Section 30.094 shall be amended with
the following strikethrough language to be deleted and the underlined language to be
added to the City Code:
"Sec. 30.094. - Fees and time limits designated by city manager.
The city manager is authorized to designate fees and time limits for parking at any
city owned or operated parking lot, garage or other property and to designate the
denomination of United States coins or currency, use of City authorized mobile payment
platform, use of city of rl at` paid parkiRg Gards credit/debit cards or any
authorized type of payment which m� `
may
be deposited or inserted therein for the purpose
of obtaining legal parking for such period of time so designated."
SECTION 11: That City of Clearwater Code Section 30.095 shall be amended with
the following strikethrough language to be deleted and the underlined language to be
added to the City Code:
"Sec. 30.095. - Use of meter/multi-space parking pay station, or mobile
Payment parking zones, and parkinq space.
(1) When any vehicle shall be parked, pursuant to this division, in any space
alongside of, next to, or in proximity to a parking meter/multi-space parking pay station,
or designated mobile payment parking zone, the owner, operator, manager, or driver of
such vehicle , immediately after entering the parking space, shall deposit the proper
coins or currency of the United States, Gi+, y of G!lo at ro paid paFkiRg GaFds
credit/debit cards or any authorized type of payment in the parking meter/multi-space
parking pay station alongside of, next to, or in proximity to the parking space or shall
submit payment through the city authorized mobile payment platform. and shall set the
meter�multi spaGe paFkiRg pay statiGR OR aGGGrdaRGe with all pes R.s fir,_,r--.t..t9R s t h e F e E)R
whore indiGated The parking space may then be used by such vehicle during the parking
limit provided for the area.
(2) Any vehicle parked in any parking space OR aR y paFkiRg meteF ZGRe shall be
positioned in the manner provided in section 30.041."
SECTION 12: That City of Clearwater Code Section 30.096 shall be amended with
the following strikethrough language to be deleted and the underlined language to be
added to the City Code:
"Sec. 30.096. - Overtime parking.
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(1) If any vehicle remains parked in any parking space when the parking
meter/multi-space parking station, or mobile payment platform indicates the expiry of paid
for time, then such vehicle shall be considered as parked overtime and such act is
unlawful.
(2) At multi spaGe parkiRg lets, a failure te PFGMOReRtly display the parkiRg FeGeot
sh-all be deemed -c parked eyer+imo
(32) It is unlawful for the operator of a vehicle to stop, park or leave standing a
vehicle on a city owned or operated parking lot, garage or other property, using meters,
multi-space parking pay stations, a designated mobile payment parking zone, gates,
permits, or time limits for revenue and access control, for a period longer than 72 hours
without first making arrangements in advance with the parking division."
SECTION 13: That City of Clearwater Code Section 30.097 shall be amended with
the following strikethrough language to be deleted and the underlined language to be
added to the City Code:
"Sec. 30.097. - Extending parking beyond legal time.
It shall be unlawful for any person to submit payment on a mobile payment
platform, deposit or cause to be deposited in a parking meter/multi-space parking pay
station a coin, currency, *fCTleapwater pre paid parkin" Gards, credit/debit cards or
any authorized type of payment for the purpose of extending the parking time beyond the
legal time fixed for parking in the parking space alongside of, next to, or in proximity to
where such parking meter/multi-space parking pay station or mobile payment parking
zone signage is placed."
SECTION 14: That City of Clearwater Code Section 30.098 shall be amended with
the following strikethrough language to be deleted and the underlined language to be
added to the City Code:
"Sec. 30.098. - Defacing, tampering with, etc.
It shall be unlawful for any person to deface, injure, tamper with, open or willfully
break, destroy or impair the usefulness of any parking meter, multi-space parking pay
station, mobile payment parking zone signage, or revenue control equipment installed on
any city owned or operated parking lot, garage or other property pursuant to the terms of
this division."
SECTION 15: That City of Clearwater Code Section 30.099 shall be amended with
the following strikethrough language to be deleted and the underlined language to be
added to the City Code:
"Sec. 30.099. - Use of substitutes for payment.
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It shall be unlawful for any person to deposit or cause to be deposited in any
parking meter/multi-space parking pay station or change maker on any city owned or
operated parking lot, garage or other property, any slug, device or substitute for a coin or
currency of the United States, +%GieaFwater pre paid nark;^^ Gard, credit/debit card
or any authorized type of payment."
SECTION 16: That City of Clearwater Code Section 30.100 shall be amended with
the following strikethrough language to be deleted and the underlined language to be
added to the City Code:
"Sec. 30.100. - Disposition of parking fees.
The coins, United States currency, *, y of GlIeapwater prepaidnark;^^ Gard
credit/debit card or any authorized type of payment, deposited as provided in this division
shall be utilized in the manner provided by the parking system bond ordinance, and until
such bonds have been satisfied or otherwise redeemed."
SECTION 17: That City of Clearwater Code, Appendix A, Schedule of Fees, Article
XIX, Sections (4)-(5) shall be amended with the following strikethrough language to be
deleted and the underlined language to be added to the City Code:
"(4) Use of any revenue generating/timed/designated public parking spaces (i.e.
metered, permitted, cashiered, loading zone, designated, etc.).
(a)Beach - Spaces (per day, everyday)—Highest current City of Clearwater
municipal daily beach rate
Plus tax if applicable
Downtown - Spaces (per day, Monday—Friday)—Highest current City of
Clearwater municipal daily downtown rate
Plus tax if applicable
(b) Administrative fees: The parking system shall charge an administrative service
fee for all parking space rental requests including valet ramp/valet storage rentals. The
fee schedule is as follows:
1. $20.00 30.00 administrative fee assessed for any parking space rental of five
spaces or less.
2. $30.00 50.00 administrative fee assessed for any parking space rental of six to
ten spaces.
3. $50.00 75.00 administrative fee assessed for any parking space rental of 11
spaces or more.
(5) Parking space/meter removal - permanent and temporary-
(a)Permanent loss of a parking space as a result of construction on adjacent
property causing elimination of any revenue generating/timed/designated public parking
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spaces (i.e., metered, permitted, cashiered, loading zones, designated parking, etc.) or
loading zones. Fee is based on loss of revenue for period of two years based on daily
amounts listed in number four above. Fee for removal of loading zone will be treated the
same as the loss of an adjacent metered parking space.
(b)Temporary removal of parking meter/multi-space parking pay stations:
1.The fee for the removal of a parking meter/multi-space pay station and
pest bollards shall be $50.00 $200.00 per meterlpay station-Past.
2.The fee for re-installation of a parking meter/multi-space pay station and
pest bollards shall be $50.00 $200.00 per meter pest pay station.
Payment in full shall be paid to the City of Clearwater Parking System in advance
at a rate of$100.00 $400.00 per meter pest multi-space pay station."
SECTION 18: Should any of the clauses, sentences, paragraphs, sections, or
parts of this Ordinance be deemed invalid, unconstitutional, or unenforceable by a court
of law or administrative agency with jurisdiction over the matter, such action shall not be
construed to affect any other valid portion of this Ordinance.
SECTION 19: This Ordinance shall become effective upon the adoption by City
Council.
PASSED ON FIRST READING June 18, 2026
PASSED ON SECOND AND FINAL July 16, 2026
READING AND ADOPTED Signed by:
Ibfvu�.t, lit, br
FF®_.
Bruce Rector,
Mayor
DS
Approved as to form: Attest:
Signed by: QocuSigned by; t
4 thss& l Sa is F
ape nn tcn�z
sLau____. a. FEeFF
Melissa Isabel Rosemarie Call
Senior Assistant City Attorney City Clerk