Fargo May Take it Easy on First Time Parking Violators

The city of Fargo wants to make downtown more inviting for potential shoppers, by making it easier to avoid parking fines.
 
The city hosted a public forum to discuss the system for fining drivers who overstay their welcome in downtown parking slots. Currently, all parking violations come with a $15 ticket.

Under the new plan, a first offense would only come with a warning.

A second violation would cost the driver $20, with even higher fines for subsequent tickets.

Officials say they want to give people the benefit of the doubt if they’re not familiar with downtown parking rules.

Fargo City Planner Joe Nigg says, “The idea is that we’re trying to work with folks to find a spot downtown where they’re not gonna get a ticket. So really it’s kind of a leap of faith in terms of the downtown community buying into the process.”

A second public discussion is scheduled for Thursday.

If the new parking rules are adopted, they will likely go into effect January 1st, 2016.