CHAGRIN FALLS, Ohio - The fine for parking at an expired parking meter in the village will now cost $20 initially.

Under the new rules, the vehicle owner has 30 days to pay the $20 fine, and, after that, it doubles to $40. If the fine is not paid within 60 days, the cost of the ticket triples to $60.

Previously the fine was $10 if the ticket was paid within 48 hours. After the 48-hour window the fine was automatically increased to $20.

"We found that most ticketed people waited to pay their fine and were paying the $20 rate anyway," Police Chief Amber Dacek said. "The problem was we had to issue letters telling them of the increase, which took time and manpower away from other tasks."

She noted that a surprising number of people were repeat offenders with multiple tickets and did not pay their parking fines until their vehicle registration was blocked by the state.

"People are surprised when they go to renew their plates and find out that they owe us $800 in fines," she said.

Village Council approved the increased fine Feb. 13 along with banning parking on Cottage Street to nonresidents. Only residents of the street will be permitted to park there.

Councilman James Newell noted that some of the homes do not have garages or driveways, which leaves the street as the only place to park their vehicles.

Chief Dacek said she did not recommend dividing the street to allow public parking in the section where homes had driveways. She said it would be difficult to enforce the parking ban on a portion of the street.

Council also approved an ordinance that conforms the fine of $250 for violators of handicap parking and fire lanes with the Ohio Rev. Code. If unpaid after 30 days, that fine jumps to $270. After 60 days the fine will cost $290.

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