Louisville parking citations to increase 20%, the 1st rate hike in 30 years

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The Parking Authority of River City is raising rates for parking citations for the first time in over 30 years.

Starting April 1, parking citations in Louisville currently listed at $25 will increase to $30.

The rate increase only impacts drivers who don't comply with parking regulations — including parking at an expired meter — or park in an area that's designated as "no parking."

Cheryl Taylor frequents downtown, and on three occasions has had to pay for more than just the price of coffee that she rushed to get.

"It's hard out here, it's rough out here," Taylor said. "They say I'm either parked wrong or not parked on the meter."

PARC said it will also no longer offer a discount if you pay the citation within seven days. In a news release Tuesday, PARC said only 42% of the parkers who received a citation in 2023 took advantage of that discount.

Last year, PARC raised its meter rates to adjust to a mandatory 6% state sales tax hike. The increase covers a new state parking sales tax implemented in 2023, along with revenue declines connected to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Kentucky General Assembly approved House Bill 8, which required sales tax to be collected on parking fees. That 6% tax is applied for parking services on surface lots, garages and meters.

Because of this, parking at a meter for four hours now costs just over $11.

Currently, if a violator pays their ticket within seven days, the discounted rate, the ticket is only $15.

The few dollar difference between the cost to park, and consequence for not paying is why PARC said it will increase ticket prices beginning April 1.

"It's all about compliance," said PARC executive director Mike Tudor. "We really needed to raise that up a little more so people aren't taking the chance of skipping paying the meter."

After more than 50,000 citations were paid in 2023, the city expects the two changes moving forward could equal more than $500,000 in additional revenue each year.

Any money made off parking tickets goes straight back to Metro Government's General Fund, not PARC.

People can pay for parking via mobile apps, along with a text to park function. To get the phone apps, click here.

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