Frequently Asked Questions about Parking

Do vehicles with handicap tags have to pay to park in the City of Clearwater?

Vehicles with handicap tags/placards that are parked at paid or timed spaces in the city of Clearwater do not have to pay for parking, but all posted time limits and restrictions must be followed. However, vehicles parked in a cashier-operated facility or parking garage must pay unless they have a Florida Toll Exemption or a specially equipped vehicle (ramps, lifts, hand controls). Please read city of Clearwater Handicap Parking Rules for more information.

What are some helpful tips to know about parking on Clearwater Beach?

  • It's best to get to your parking spot early.
  • For parking at Clearwater Beach, all city-metered parking lots and on-street spaces are enforced every day with varying hours.
  • Each parking meter lists the correct hours of enforcement and parking rates.
  • Beach visitors can pay for parking using the pay-by-plate parking kiosks, the ParkMobile app, or pay-by-text on mobile devices. Text 'CLEARWATER' to 727563, and you will receive a secure link to input your parking details, including license plate number, duration, and payment information. Confirm the details to start your parking session.
  • There are no RV parks or lots that can accommodate RVs on Clearwater Beach. The city of Clearwater passed new ordinances against commercial vehicles, trailers and RVs parking on city streets. The best option is a privately-run RV park.
  • No public parking is allowed north of the Acacia Roundabout. This is strictly enforced.
  • On-street parking is $3.50 per hour. The limit is 5 hours. Hours of operation vary.

Where can I park on weekends during downtown special events?

  • All downtown city parking facilities (except Lot #11) are available, unless posted for an event, and offer parking free of charge on weekends, holidays, and weeknights after 6 p.m. (or after 7 p.m. at the Garden Avenue Garage or Station Square Garage).
  • Parking lot #11 by the downtown marina is $2 per hour, seven days a week, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Parking is free in this lot every day after 6 p.m.

How do I use a Pay-by-Plate parking kiosk?

See this video below about how to use the pay-by-plate parking kiosks.

Where can buses, motor-homes, or other oversized vehicles park?

Spaces for oversize vehicles (of more than 23 feet in length) are located on Mandalay Avenue on the beach and downtown on Osceola Avenue. The oversize parking spaces are signed according to the length permitted (24 to 40 feet, or 24 to 50 feet).

What can I do if I don’t think I should have received a parking citation?

Call the phone # on the back of your citation (727) 562-4094 for all questions, complaints, and comments, including handicap ticket questions (tag fell down, etc.).

How can I pay my parking ticket?

Visit our parking ticket payment webpage for information on how to pay your citation. This information is also shown on the back side of the parking ticket. For parking ticket questions or concerns, you can submit a parking ticket inquiry through the city's Clearwater Connect platform.

I work downtown. Does the city offer any permit parking?

Monthly permit parking is available in surface lot #24, Garden Avenue garage and Station Square garage, and permits may be purchased online.

Are there any public parking garages on the beach?

Yes, three parking garages offer public parking:

  • The North Beach Parking Plaza, located at 490 Poinsettia Ave., has more than 400 public parking spaces. Find out more about rates and location. Monthly permits are available; email dalexander@park-simple.com. For rate information, call (404) 671-3193, ext. 2.
  • Britt’s Surf Style parking garage, located at 311 S. Gulfview Blvd. (access via Coronado Drive), has 300 public parking spaces. For rate information, call (954) 926-6666, ext. 105.
  • Hyatt Aqualea’s parking garage, located at 301 S. Gulfview Blvd. (access via Coronado Dr.), has approximately 550 public parking spaces. For rate information, call Seven One Seven Parking at (800) 310-7275.

Can I pay to park in one location and use the unused time in a different parking lot?

The city of Clearwater has various parking locations both downtown and on the beach that have varied business needs, hours of enforcement, parking rates and time limits. Parking payments are not transferrable from lot to lot. Each location is enforced by verifying a payment was made for that particular location.