Indian Rocks Beach has officially approved a paid parking program for public beach access parking areas – along with an increase in parking violation fines – despite loud public pushback in the lead-up to the vote, which passed unanimously.
At its Feb. 10 meeting, the City Commission adopted Ordinance 2026-01, creating a new section of city code establishing paid metered parking at beach accesses.
Under the ordinance, all public parking spaces at beach access points will be metered between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. daily. The hourly rate, approved separately by Resolution 2026-02, was set at $4.50 per hour citywide, putting it on par with St. Pete Beach parking costs.
City Manager Ryan Henderson stressed what he called an important distinction, saying the new charge “is not a fee to use the beach but a charge to park at a City-maintained parking facility, not for the beach access itself.”
Public comments during the discussion showed just how divided residents are.
Resident Mike Campbell objected, “Beach access is one of the few things everyone can use.” Sean Roland added, “Free beach access makes IRB unique.”
Others’ concerns centered on the impact on neighborhoods. “Spillover into neighborhoods will happen,” said Kelly Watt
Despite the public comments and concerns, commissioners defended the move as a response to congestion and overflow parking.
“This subject started before the hurricane, and is not intended to rob the public; it came from concerns about traffic, congestion, and neighborhood overflow parking,” said Commissioner Bond.
The ordinance also raises the city’s minimum parking violation fine from $75 to $100.
Exemptions were included: resident-only spaces at beach accesses, for exmaple, as are vehicles displaying a valid city parking permit decal. Golf carts are subject to the same $4.50 hourly rate unless they display a city-issued parking decal.
The program will utilize ParkMobile, allowing visitors to pay via mobile app, text, or web-based guest checkout.
