Fines for Ocean City parking meter violations that occur during special events will double this year.
During Tuesday’s regular meeting, the Ocean City Council passed the second reading of an ordinance that amends the city code to double the $50 fine for parking violations that occur during the eight special events taking place in the municipality this year. Earlier this month, officials identified those 2026 dates.
“This is to double the parking violation fine if the violation occurs during a special event, with dates designated by the resolution passed previously,” City Solicitor Heather Stansbury said.
Last year, the City Council passed several amendments aimed at paid parking and parking enforcement throughout town. Among those was an ordinance authorizing the city’s newly established parking division to enhance parking and towing penalties for violations that occur during special events and within special event zones.
For example, fines for certain violations, such as parking in a no parking zone, parking at a red curb, and parking on a sidewalk, for example, doubled during special event dates beginning in 2025. Earlier this month, however, city officials revisited the parking regulations with the first reading of an ordinance to double the fine for parking meter violations occurring during special events. They also approved a companion resolution, setting the special event dates for 2026.
Double? Why not triple or quadruple? If the idea is to provide incentive to not illegally park, make it a ticket to be remembered.
And at the same time, boost the city’s income. $50 today is yesterday’s $20.