Atlantic City’s City Council hopes to stop the parking-fee gouging that goes on whenever a special event or concert is held in the city.
An ordinance before council would increase penalties for violating the city’s code on parking rates from a maximum of $100 to $1,000 and require a court appearance. The ordinance addresses increases in parking fees without the city being notified.
This summer, the city held two major free beach concerts and two city casinos—Caesars and Bally’s Atlantic City, located closest to the concert sites—raised their parking fees from $10 to $50. Other casinos also reportedly raised their parking fees.
In truth, such spikes have been going on for years whenever a major event or concert has been held in the city. But city officials said the increases at the two summer concerts convinced them that the city’s ordinance needs more teeth.
All rates for licensed parking facilities in the city must be approved in advance by the city licensing director. Any changes to the rates must also be approved. City rules do allow for changes for special events, but require 48 hours’ notice.
City officials said they are willing to approve reasonable increases, but not increases of 500 percent.
