SF parking meter rates among nation’s priciest

San Francisco’s parking meter rates and fines are some of the most expensive in the nation.

The findings were outlined in a new report by the Board of Supervisors’ legislative analyst that was requested by supervisor Michela Alioto-Pier. The report compared San Francisco with other major cities around the nation, and found that only Chicago and Los Angeles charge more to park at a downtown meter. San Francisco has the most expensive parking rate outside of the downtown area, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. The city also matched New York City in having the highest meter violation fine.

“We’re just nickel-and-diming people to death,” Alioto-Pier said Wednesday.

The city charges $2 to $3.50 an hour to park at a meter, with downtown being the most expensive and neighborhood commercial districts the least. Since 1992, the city has raised meter prices in 2003, 2005 and 2009. Meter violations have gone up five times since 1995. 

The report comes as Municipal Transit Agency officials are expanding the number of metered curbside parking spots within the city, according to NBC Bay Area.

Parking meter revenue, which helps pay for Muni’s transit system, generated $38 million last year, while meter violation fines generated an additional $29 million.