St. Pete Beach Now Has The Most Expensive Parking Rates on Pinellas Coast

St. Pete Beach now charges the steepest parking fees along the Pinellas County coastline. New rates kicked in this week. Drivers shell out $5 per hour Monday through Thursday. Friday through Sunday, rates jump to $6 per hour. During peak tourist season — February through April — prices climb another dollar.

City leaders approved the hike back in late March, bumping hourly parking rates up by 50 cents across the board. This makes parking pricier than what you'll find in nearby communities, where most rates hover between $2.50 and $4.50 per hour.

Officials say the increase will pull in close to $2 million in added yearly revenue. The money goes toward maintaining roads and upgrading sewer and stormwater systems. They also think the pricing shift encourages turnover by keeping beachgoers from hogging spots all day, pushing more visitors toward local businesses instead.

Some business owners back the new rates. Amy Loughery runs Bamboozle in Pass-A-Grille. She said stricter enforcement and pricing might help make sure parking stays available for customers.

"It gets parked out with beachgoers even though it says no beach parking," Loughery said, according to WTSP.

For some beachgoers, the steeper cost is changing plans. One visitor said the fees would keep them away.

"Not gonna come. We'll go to the pool or somewhere else," the visitor said. "You could drive around for hours and not even find parking, and then when you do find parking you have to pay so much."

The timing has raised concerns. Gas prices have jumped in recent weeks, adding to what a beach day costs overall.

Visitors heading to the beach should brace for higher costs through the end of peak season. The rates stay in place as officials work to boost revenue for infrastructure projects.