Pinellas County Considers Hourly Parking Fees at Popular Beach Parks
Pinellas County is considering increasing parking fees at Fort De Soto, Sand Key, and Fred Howard beach parks from a daily rate to $3.50 per hour starting in October. This proposed change aims to generate an additional $2.1 million for…
Tampa St. Petersburg, FL, August 10, 2026 —
Pinellas County officials are contemplating a shift in parking fee structures at several popular beach parks, potentially introducing an hourly rate of $3.50 beginning in October. The parks under consideration for this change include Fort De Soto, Sand Key, and Fred Howard. Currently, these locations operate on a daily parking fee system.
The proposed adjustment is part of a broader financial strategy for the county. If implemented, the new hourly parking fees are projected to generate an additional $2.1 million annually. This revenue is intended to help mitigate anticipated shortfalls in property tax income.
These potential property tax revenue losses are linked to a statewide ballot initiative. This initiative, if passed, could lead to substantial increases in homestead exemptions for property owners. Such an increase could reduce the overall property tax base for counties across Florida, including Pinellas.
The county has not yet released specific details regarding the timeline for a final decision or the precise mechanisms for implementing and collecting the hourly fees. The proposed changes are slated to take effect in October, contingent upon approval.
Story summarized from the original created by By Lizzy Alspach, Times staff on www.tampabay.com, see more information here.
