Council raises obstructing and loading-zone parking fines, increases overtime-parking fee

The Tuscaloosa City Council approved an ordinance amending municipal code section 10-13 to raise three parking citation fines that had been $19.

Speaker 5, a city staff presenter, told the committee that "all three were previously at $19" and recommended increasing obstructing-traffic and loading-zone fines to $104 and overtime-parking fines to $25. Council members asked whether the increase would apply to delivery trucks; staff said officers and parking-enforcement personnel can write those citations.

Speaker 1 commented, "It would get my attention," referring to the larger fine amount. After brief questions about enforcement and scope, Speaker 2 moved adoption and the council approved the ordinance by voice vote.

The change alters municipal fine amounts in 10-13 and is intended by staff to improve enforcement options for congested streets and loading areas; no new enforcement staff or specific budget changes were described during the discussion.