Council approves parking fine increases, effective Jan. 1, 2026, aimed at repeat violators

The Missoula City Council on June 2 approved an ordinance amending parking-violation penalties to raise maximum fines and add escalations for repeat and safety-related violations. The ordinance was adopted on a 9-2 roll-call vote and will take effect Jan. 1, 2026.

Jody Pilgrim, director of parking services for the Missoula Parking Commission, presented the staff recommendation and data supporting the change. Pilgrim said meter and overtime violations currently use an escalating structure with a $0 first violation; the parking commission recommends keeping the $0 first warning but increasing subsequent increments from $5 to $10 and raising the meter maximum to $40. For improper parking—violations that affect safety such as parking in bike lanes, blocking sidewalks or fire hydrants—Pilgrim proposed keeping the $20 initial fine but escalating by $20 for repeat violations up to a $100 maximum and resetting the escalation after one year. Residential parking permit violations would mirror the improper-parking escalation.

"These fine increases are not intended to have a heavy impact on the majority of parkers," Pilgrim said. She told councilors the commission's 2023–24 parking study found 64% of meter citations were first-time warnings and that most cited vehicles (about 82%) did not receive subsequent violations.

Councilors and members of the public discussed concerns about impacts on low-income residents. Jay Clara Flores said people who work downtown but live near or below the poverty line could face difficulty paying higher fines and asked whether voucher or waiver programs were possible. Zachary Stone, an online commenter, said large fines could disproportionately affect vulnerable residents and could increase legal fees and court costs.

Pilgrim said the commission does not expect overall fine revenue to rise; consultants estimated a modest reduction in ticket revenue as drivers change behavior. She also said the commission offers low-cost parking options for employees and residents (about $2 per day), a discounted west-front lot at $0.50 per hour, and a garage with the first hour free. Disabled parking fines are set by state law and remain at $100.

Councilor Becerra moved the ordinance; the council approved the measure in the roll call vote. The final tally was nine in favor and two opposed (Campbell and Basica). The ordinance amendment will be codified in sections 10.54.140 (penalties for parking violations) and 10.22.026 (limitations on parking in residential permit areas) and take effect Jan. 1, 2026.

Supporters, including neighborhood representatives, said the changes aim to reduce repeat and hazardous violations rather than to punish occasional mistakes. Opponents and some business-community commenters argued the increases could burden employees and customers and urged the commission and council to monitor impacts after implementation.

The parking commission will provide public information and a phased implementation plan ahead of the Jan. 1 effective date, the director said.