Beach-goers who love spending long days at Fort De Soto, Sand Key, or Fred Howard Park in Pinellas County may want to pay attention to what's happening at the county commission level. Officials are weighing a proposal to replace the current flat $6 daily parking fee at all three parks with an hourly rate of $3.50 — a change that could push the cost of an eight-hour visit to $28.
Commissioners have floated the idea of capping daily charges at $15, though that detail hasn't been finalized either. The discussion also extends to boat ramp parking and annual passes. Right now, a yearly beach parking pass for the three parks runs $75 plus tax, while a combined beach and boat ramp pass costs $110 plus tax — both of which could see increases under the broader proposal.
The financial motivation is straightforward: county officials estimate the new fee structure could bring in nearly $2.8 million in additional revenue annually. Pinellas County Commissioner Brian Scott told FOX 13 News that parking rates haven't been adjusted in roughly 20 years and that the county is working to close budget gaps without raising property taxes. The timing matters, too — the county is building its fiscal 2027 budget while facing a November property tax vote that could trim countywide revenue by $122 million.
Not everyone is enthusiastic about the shift. Sixteen-year-old fisherman Braden Marsh, who was interviewed by FOX 13 at one of the parks, said an hourly model might discourage people from visiting. He acknowledged the county's need for more funding but noted he'd want to see how things play out before drawing conclusions. For now, no changes have been officially approved, and parking at all three parks remains $6 per day.
This story was originally reported by FOX 13 News and summarized by Yahoo News.
