REDINGTON BEACH — Town officials have a message for non-residents whose vehicles often line the streets here on sunny beach-friendly days: If you don’t live here, don’t park here.
Commissioners sent out that blunt missive recently in passing an ordinance that in essence erects a giant “No Parking” sign over a large part of the community. Passed by a 4-0 vote, the ordinance restricts parking to residents whose vehicles bear a city-issued sticker certifying they live there. Anyone parked on town streets without the sticker would be subject to a $50 fine.
The need for the ordinance arose after neighboring Madeira Beach hiked rates on its parking meters, said Mayor Nick Simons. That sent visitors scurrying for cheaper parking, and many of them found just that along the streets and avenues of Redington Beach.
The ordinance establishes resident-only parking areas over large swathes of the town:
• The town park area on 160th Avenue.
• 155th Avenue to 164th Avenue between Gulf Boulevard and First Street
Signs will be posted designating those areas for resident-only parking.
Parking will be banned altogether, regardless of the presence of a parking sticker, on 161st Avenue between Gulf Boulevard and Second Street East.
Residents with a valid parking permit will be allowed one visitor parking pass per household.
Parking permits will be available from the Town Clerk’s office at Town Hall. Residents will need to provide proof of residency and vehicle registration.