New Smyrna Beach, FL – Many Volusia County and New Smyrna Beach residents are taking advantage of a plan to continue parking for free at 4 beachfront parks after the city plans to start charging visitors for those parking spaces.
1,305 beach lot parking decals have been handed out since New Smyrna Beach started giving them away on Monday.
Those passes will allow its holders to park for free at the beachfront parks on 27th Street, Flagler Avenue, Esther Street and North Beach once the city starts charging for those spots on October 1st.
Paid parking will be enforced daily from 9am to 5pm at those beachfront parks. Those same parking spots will be free at all other times.
City commissioners decided to start charging for those parking spots as a way to help the city pay for maintaining those parks without raising the millage rate.
City staff says any revenues from parking will be used for maintenance, capital and personnel costs associated with the parking system.
New Smyrna Beach was planning to start giving away the free beach lot parking decals on Tuesday, but city staff actually started on Monday due to high demand.
Over 600 passes were handed out by Tuesday afternoon, but the numbers have slowed somewhat since then.
NSB Assistant City Manager Khalid Resheidat says the 1,305 handed out so far is much lower than the number of residents in the county.
“The question is, how many actually will come and get the pass?” Resheidat noted. “I honestly don’t have an exact number of what we’re expecting.”
The passes are available from 8am to 5pm Monday through Friday at New Smyrna Beach City Hall’s Finance Department on 210 Sams Avenue. Proof of residency is required.
Resident parking passes will be good through 2016.
Non-resident or non-qualifying vehicles can pay the daily parking fee of $10 at electronic kiosks. Annual non-resident passes are $100.
Daily fines for vehicles without passes are $25.
Applications are available online by clicking here or by calling 386-424-2100.
Copyright 2015 Southern Stone Communications.