Parking Fine Increases and Proposed Graduated Penalties
Athens
Summary
Ordinance 82-26 doubles unpaid parking penalties from $15 to $30, which council framed as a deterrent to keep uptown spaces turning over. Business owners worry it will deter shoppers, and council asked the mayor and law director to explore graduated fines for repeat offenders.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 3
- Last 30 days
- 0
Last discussed Aug 24, 2026.
Impact analysis
Roughly doubles the cost of an unpaid parking violation to $30; revenue goes to the general fund.
Shoppers and businesses who need uptown parking spaces to turn over.
Occasional visitors and residents facing doubled fines amid rising property taxes, income tax and utility costs.
Mentions & discussions (3)
City Council - Aug 24, 2026
Council considered doubling meter violation fines from $15 to $30 but backed off after business owners called it 'a tax on going uptown.' Police Captain Harvey also opposed the graduated fines. Council kept only a 14-day payment window and referred the broader parking issue to committee.
City Council - Aug 17, 2026
Ordinance 82-26 doubles unpaid parking penalties from $15 to $30, which council framed as a deterrent to keep uptown spaces turning over. Business owners worry it will deter shoppers, and council asked the mayor and law director to explore graduated fines for repeat offenders.
City Council - Aug 10, 2026
Parking tickets on Court Street would double from $15 to $30 to stop people from 'storage parking' all day. Council members want a longer payment window (14 days, not 5) and working meters before the higher fine kicks in.
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