New Canaan To Increase Parking Meter Rates, Ticket Fees

NEW CANAAN, CT — The town plans to raise its parking meter rates, as well as parking fines for various violations, starting next month.

During a Parking Commission meeting held March 1, Parking Manager Stacy Miltenberg said she had put in a request to increase meter rates and some violation fees, which was approved by the Board of Selectmen in January.

The increases are due to a 6.35 percent sales tax implemented by the state in 2020, which included meter rates, Miltenberg said. She also noted the town has been eating the sales tax since then.

"With this increase in the meter rates," Miltenberg said, "it will cover the sales tax and give us a little bit more revenue for the town."

Miltenberg laid out the following parking meter rate increases for the commission:

• 15 minutes: Up from 25 cents to 30 cents
• 30 minutes: Up from 50 cents to 55 cents
• 45 minutes: Up from 75 cents to 80 cents
• One hour: Up from $1 to $1.25

Flat rates for six-hour spaces in the Playhouse, Park Street and Morse Court parking lots will also increase from $3 to $3.50. Hourly rates at the Center School and Locust Avenue parking lots will go up from 50 cents to 55 cents, Miltenberg said.

"We haven't increased these rates, even before the sales tax, since 2012," Miltenberg said, "so it was time."

Parking fines will also increase for eight violations, including unpaid spaces, overtime parking, no parking zones and double parking, among others. Fines for the violations will be raised by $5 each.

Miltenberg noted the parking fines have not been raised since 2014.

Increases to parking meter rates and fines will go into effect April 1, and the town will let residents know about them through various publications and the town website, Miltenberg said.

A video of the Parking Commission meeting can be viewed here.