The grace period has ended in Atlantic and Neptune beaches. Police can now issue tickets for those who don’t pay to park in city spaces around the Beaches Town Center, which straddles the city line of the two beachfront communities.
To use a pay-to-park space, drivers must download the Flowbird app or use the marked pay station kiosks near the parking spaces.
There are seven kiosks in Neptune Beach and two in Atlantic Beach.
The first half hour of parking is free; after that, the cost is $1 per half hour. The maximum daily fee is $12.
Known as the North Beaches Parking Program, the pilot began earlier this year with mutual agreements signed between Atlantic and Neptune beaches, followed by the installation of the kiosks and an education grace period.
Although free parking isn’t expected to return, the paid parking is described as an 18- to 24-month pilot program by the cities, who say the data generated by the program will be reviewed daily.
If citations are not paid by the due date, a $10 administrative fee will be added to the invoice. If that payment isn’t made within 30 days, the citations will be submitted to the city government for enforcement and collection action.
The exceptions for area residents are as follows:
- The City of Neptune Beach has allocated 35 spaces at the Beaches Town Center southwest perimeter on Cherry, Walnut and Second streets for registered Neptune Beach residents to use at no charge.
- The City of Atlantic Beach, has established a 50% discount for residents who use pay-to-park spaces in Atlantic Beach.
Neptune Beach and Atlantic Beach residents may register their vehicles at northbeachesparking.com.
The Beaches Town Center Agency and Merchants Association also has provided dedicated parking spaces for employees working in the Beaches Town Center.
Check out this FAQ page for residents and visitors for more info about the new paid parking system.
Bill Bortzfield can be reached at bbortzfield@wjct.org, 904-358-6349 or on Twitter at @BortzInJax.
