On September 6, 2023, Town Council with the support of the Mammoth Lakes Police Department, passed a resolution that will increase fines for parking citations effective November 1, 2023.
The current fine structure has been in place since at least 2002. The Department has seen a significant increase in non-compliance with parking laws over the last several years. This is especially prevalent during the winter months, when drivers choose to pay a citation in order to park closer to the ski lifts. Parking citations were not serving as a deterrent to illegal parking activities. The majority of the Town’s Citations carried a $45.00 fee, which is similar to paying for parking. The number of complaints regarding illegal parking, the incidents of illegal parking blocking roads and impeding access to residences and business has increased.
A fine comparison was made with other departments’ parking citation programs located in ski resort destinations. This comparison shows that the Town of Mammoth Lakes was assessing lower than average parking citation fees.
The recommendation was to increase $45.00 fees to $110.00, with additional increases for illegal parking in disabled parking zones, in front of a fire hydrant or in a fire lane, and obstructing snow removal.
The primary purpose for increasing parking citation fines is to gain a higher level of compliance with the Town’s parking regulations.
The limits on parking are there for public safety purposes, which includes ingress/egress and to insure private property access.