Abandoned vehicles -

Q. There is a car on our street which has not been moved in over a week. I think it has been abandoned. Is there someone I can call?

A. Yes. You can call Officer Tonia Nave of the Volunteer Police Unit at (727) 893-7141.

Access aisle -

Q. I had my handicapped placard hanging on my rear view mirror, but I still received a citation for parking in a handicap access aisle. Why?

A. Each handicapped parking spot has a space next to it painted with lines. This is to allow access for wheelchairs and walkers. The lines indicate a no-parking location.

Alley parking -

Q. I parked in the alley behind my business and received a parking citation. There are no posted signs to indicate not to park there.

A. City ordinance 26.137 prohibits the parking or standing within an alley except for temporary loading or unloading of materials or passengers. If you have a vehicle with commercial lettering, you may park no longer than thirty (30) minutes (unless the sign states otherwise). In no way may you block the alley

Commercial loading -

Q. I parked in a space for commercial vehicles to load and unload. I received a citation even though I use my vehicle for my business.

A. City ordinance 26-1 requires commercial vehicles to be marked with the business name at least three (3) inches in height and visible from a distance of not less than 50 feet.

Driver in vehicle -

Q. I received a citation for parking in a no-parking zone. Since I was sitting in my vehicle waiting for my wife, is this considered "parking"?

A. Yes. A no-parking area is posted for safety purposes to eliminate vehicles from the area and is indicated with red signs. Stopping or standing is prohibited whether or not you are in the vehicle. Some no parking zones are marked with a painted, enclosed box, rather than a sign.

Nighttime Ticketing -

Q. I received a citation at 8:30 p.m. for overtime parking. I thought you do not issue tickets during the evening hours.

A. Unless the posted sign indicates otherwise (i.e. "No Parking, 8 AM to 6 PM), we check for parking violations until midnight daily.

Quantity of citations -

Q. How many tickets do you issue daily?

A. The number varies depending on weather and downtown functions. We have no quotas or incentives to issue citations and prefer to educate the public about parking issues.

Permits (residential/construction) -

Q. I love living in downtown St Petersburg, but have trouble finding long-term parking.

Q. I do contracting work in downtown St. Petersburg, but can never find a parking spot.

A. Residential parking permits and commercial parking permits are available at a nominal fee in Parking Management located on the 8th floor of the Municipal Services Center at One Fourth Street North. Call (727) 892-5341 for further information.