LexPark seeks rate increases for parking garages, various penalties
Helix Parking Garage in downtown Lexington. Source: LexPark.
LexPark, the organization that manages public parking spaces in downtown Lexington, will present their Fiscal Year 2026 Budget to Council and will request Council’s approval of various rate increases in LexPark garages and increases to various parking violation fines.
In 2023, the State Legislature passed Senate Bill 75, a bill requiring Council to approve any rate and/or fine increases for LexPark. Previously, LexPark could adjust rates and fines as they saw appropriate. SB 75 was a reaction to parking rate increases proposed by LexPark in 2022.
The only proposed parking rate increase is for the monthly parking passes at the Victorian Square parking garage — the first rate increase for the garage since 2018. Monthly parking passes allow a driver to park at any time in the garage without paying the general hourly parking fee.
A General monthly parking pass would increase from $90 a month to $105 a month.
A Reserved Area monthly pass would increase from $110 a month to $130 a month.
A Hospitality pass, which is reserved for workers in downtown Lexington’s restaurants and bars, would increase from $20 to $25 a month.
The rest of the proposed increases are for parking safety violation fines. The proposed fine increases do not apply to being parked in a LexPark spot without having paid, or for parking longer than a driver paid; the fines are generally for parking in places where parking is not allowed, such as next to a fire hydrant, in a crosswalk, and parking in front of a driveway. These fines have not been increased since 2016.
The list of penalties is quite long (you can find the full list on page 57 of this packet), so here are just a few examples:
The fine for parking in a fire lane would increase from $50 to $100.
The fine for double parking would increase from $35 to $50.
The fine for parking on the sidewalk would increase from $35 to $50.
LexPark is seeking these increases not only to bring their parking fee structure up to date with peer cities, but to address longstanding budget concerns. Their proposed budget for FY26 shows a budget deficit of $1.3 million. LexPark’s parking garages, meters, and other equipment and infrastructure also need major improvements and maintenance over the next several years.
You can review the presentation slides starting on page 46 of this packet.
Council Work Session will be held on Tuesday, April 22nd at 3pm in Council Chambers. You can attend in-person or watch live on LexTV.
