Sorry, Baltimore, the days of free parking are over.
Starting July 13, municipal workers will once again patrol city streets to make sure motorists have paid for parking, the Department of Transportation, Parking Authority of Baltimore City and Mayor Bernard C. “Jack” Young announced today.
All signs with posted hours and parking limits will be in effect at that time.
Officials said parking meter enforcement creates turnover in spaces on the street, which should help restaurants and businesses as they reopen at limited capacity and with restrictions under phase two of the city’s reopening plan.
“While we continue to work to combat the spread of COVID-19, I am pleased that Baltimore City has successfully shifted into its second phase of reopening businesses and services,” Mayor Bernard C. “Jack” Young said in a statement. “As people continue to move around and be outside, it is important as we continue through Phase Two that we return many of our services to help our economy recover.”
Under that step, which the city took on June 19, fitness centers, museums, aquariums, restaurants, bars, clubs, libraries, social clubs, retail businesses, malls, non-essential offices and businesses offering personal services were permitted to reopen at 50 percent capacity.
Since late 2019, the city has replaced 300 meters that require drivers to pay at a kiosk and display a ticket on the dashboard of their vehicle, officials said. Instead, users can just key in their license plate number.
The city suspended parking enforcement and other operations on March 24 to protect municipal workers during the pandemic.
According to the budget for the 2021 fiscal year, Baltimore brought in $31.9 million in fiscal year 2019 from parking revenues, a combination of meter fees, fines, taxes, tickets and income from garages owned by the city.
The city budgeted for almost an additional $5 million in fiscal year 2020, but revenue forecasts dipped considerably in the fiscal year that started this month, due in large part to the coronavirus.
Officials projected parking revenues would decrease by $14.5 million due to the pandemic, during which state-issued stay-at-home orders prevented many people from going out. But they also noted parking revenue was declining before COVID-19 as more residents use dockless vehicles and ride-share services.
