Sarasota, FL Parking Rules: Street Parking Limits (2026)

Sarasota City Code Sec. " The rule applies regardless of posted signage, because it is a direct prohibition rather than one of the city engineer's discretionary, sign-dependent parking authorities found elsewhere in the chapter. Sec. 33-110 separately governs which side of a street a car may use. shall be so stopped or parked with the right-hand wheels parallel to and within twelve (12) inches of the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway," the source of the wrong-direction prohibition, since parking against traffic puts a driver's wheels on the wrong side.

On a one-way street with two or more separate roadways, standing or parking on the left-hand side is barred unless signs specifically permit it. A vehicle parked facing oncoming traffic violates Sec. 33-110 even if it otherwise leaves the ten feet of clearance Sec. 33-106 requires. Both offenses are enforced through the standard Chapter 33 process: an officer records the plate and affixes a citation (Sec. 33-80), and the registered owner has 14 days to pay or appeal with the parking unit before losing the right to contest (Sec.

33-166(b)). The Chapter 33 fine schedule, Sec. 33-167, sets $35 specifically for "parking in wrong direction" (Sec. 33-167(6)) and applies the $35 catch-all rate to a Sec. 33-106 obstruction (Sec. 33-167(9)). Unpaid citations add $15 delinquency fees every 30 days, capped at $45, and three or more citations to the same vehicle within 60 days add a $35 habitual-offender fee for each citation past the third (Sec. 33-81(a)-(b)). Vehicles owing $100 or more can be wheel-locked and, after 48 hours, towed (Sec. 33-81(c), (f)).