If you’re a regular visitor to Miami Beach, get ready to dig a little deeper into your pockets for parking fees. Starting on October 1st, street parking in South Beach will be increasing from $4 to $6 an hour for non-city residents.
And if you happen to be a resident living on the beach, you’re not off the hook either. The $1 hourly rate for those registered in the Resident Parking Discount Program will be doubling to $2 for on-street spaces, parking garages, and surface lots. Additionally, residents will now have to pay a daily flat rate of $8 per day at the 46th Street and Collins Avenue beachfront municipal lot, up from the current $6 fee. Visitor passes purchased by registered zone residents will also see an increase from $3 to $4 per 24-hour period.
This marks the first time since 2015 that Miami Beach has decided to raise parking rates. The issue of parking in Miami-Dade has been a growing concern for residents, with annual price hikes becoming the norm. This is in stark contrast to cities around the world that offer free street parking.
For example, hourly rates in neighborhoods like Little River and Wynwood have been steadily increasing over the years. In Wynwood, rates have gone up from $1.25 to $3 per hour in 2018, and then further to $3.40 per hour and $6.65 for two hours by July 2024. Similarly, Bayfront Park’s hourly rate has jumped from $3.50 in 2018 to $10 by 2024.
In a county like Miami-Dade, where the population is large, the climate is hot, and distances are long, personal vehicles are a necessity for many residents. With public transportation ranking 52nd out of 100 cities, cars are relied upon heavily.
While parking fees do contribute to street repairs, cleaning projects, and other improvements, the overall costs of parking, gas, and other driving expenses can add up quickly for drivers. The burden of these costs is particularly significant for those who heavily rely on their vehicles for daily transportation.
