Here’s what Toledo drivers need to know about the new parking rules in 2025:
- Parking ticket fines start at $10 to $30 for expired meter or overtime violations and can escalate to $55 for habitual offenders. Handicap parking fines start at $100 and increase to $150 if unpaid after 15 days.
- House Bill 29 (April 2025) eliminated driver’s license suspensions and vehicle registration blocks for unpaid parking fines, ending Ohio’s DETER program. Enforcement now relies on local measures like towing, impoundment, and collections.
- Parking meters in downtown Toledo operate Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., with most having a two-hour time limit, though some have 15-minute or all-day limits. Check nearby signage for specifics.
- Habitual unpaid parking violations (10 or more) face higher fines and possible additional fees. Unpaid citations may be sent to collections after 90 days.
- Important government buildings near metered parking include the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department, USPS Post Office, One Government Center, U.S. Courthouses, the Parking Violations Bureau, and City Hall.
- Parking is prohibited in designated areas such as fire lanes, crosswalks, bus stops (except for buses), taxi stands (except for taxis), within 10 feet of fire hydrants, on sidewalks, and within specified distances of traffic control devices.
- Toledo uses ParkSmart to manage and maintain downtown meters and parking lots, supporting convenience with coin and card payments, as well as paid street and garage parking options.
While state law softened some penalties for unpaid tickets, Toledo drivers must still obey meter times, parking prohibitions, and timely fine payments to avoid escalating fees, towing, or collections. Reviewing meter signs carefully and paying promptly helps avoid unexpected hefty fines.
Sources
(https://toledofreepress.com/toledo-parking-ticket-practices-raise-concerns/)
(https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/toledo/latest/toledo_oh/0-0-0-90544)
(https://downtowntoledo.org/explore/parking)
(https://www.utoledo.edu/getinvolved/eventplanning/eventparking.html)
(https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/toledo/latest/toledo_oh/0-0-0-104867)
