[Archived] New Parking Fines Effective February 1 In City Of Alexandria

City Press Release


	For Immediate Release	For More Information, Contact
	January 25, 2007 PIO# 020-07/jbh	Brian Hannigan, Director of Communications, or Raynard Owens, Communications Officer, at 703.838.4300 Raynard Owens, Communications Officer, at 703.838.4300

NEW PARKING FINES EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY 1 IN CITY OF ALEXANDRIA
Revised Schedule Brings City’s Fees in Line with Neighboring Jurisdictions
Council Also Raises Charges for Disability Space Violations

New parking fines will go into effect in the City of Alexandria on Thursday, February 1 under a revised parking ordinance enacted by the Alexandria City Council at its January 20 public hearing meeting.

The revised ordinance increases most fines for meter, parking, and tag violations by $5. Citations issued for meter violations will increase from $20 to $25, while fines for most parking and tag violations will increase to $40.

The City Council also increased by $23 the prepaid processing charge for unauthorized parking in spaces reserved for persons with a disability, from $28 to $51, the maximum allowed. Along with the $150 fine, total prepaid charges for parking in a disability-reserved space will be $201, effective February 1.

The Code of Virginia authorizes the City of Alexandria regulate parking, stopping and standing of vehicles within its limits and to establish penalties for violations.

The City Council acted to increase fines in order to facilitate business activity for City merchants by promoting greater turn-over of on-street parking spaces. While fines are meant to discourage motorists from parking illegally, City staff reported that some motorists have been willing to pay the fines because of their relatively low cost. The City’s parking fines generally have not increased since 1992 and are currently lower than fines charged by neighboring jurisdictions for comparable violations.

The City issued 82,090 parking citations and collected $2.6 million in parking fines in FY 2006.

A copy of the new schedule of fines, effective February 1, is attached and can be viewed at www.alexandriava.gov/finance.

For more information on the City’s fines for meter, parking, and tag violations, call Alexandria’s Treasury Division at 703-838-4777.

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