Leaving your car parked in the same spot for more than 72 hours at a time recently became more expensive for people in San Luis Obispo.
To combat the trailers, cars, and RVs parked on the side of the road for extended periods of time, the city has more than doubled the ticket fines.
"Honestly, this is like an ongoing thing since I've been here,” said Marco Seja, San Luis Obispo resident.
Seja moved to San Luis Obispo three years ago.
On his street, he says it's not hard to find cars parked on the side of the road for more than three days at a time.
The City of San Luis Obispo says it's aware of the issue and they have recently made some changes to try and find a solution.
The fines previously cost $33 but now the ticket price has increased to $75.
San Luis Obispo had an existing ordinance in place for vehicles parked over three days, but it wasn't stopping anyone.
"Our fee or fine for that was pretty low. It was about $33, so what we were realizing was that it wasn't a demotivator for people to follow that ordinance,” said Mayor Heidi Harmon
Parked cars aren't the only problem.
"You'll see people storing their trailers and their boats on those streets just because they can unattach and go and hook them up when they need them. It's those kind of streets that we really need to focus on to try and clear them out because they bring a whole bunch of problems with them,” said Tim Bochum, Deputy Director of Public Works for the City of San Luis Obispo.
Seja says he thinks the increased fines are a step in the right direction but believes the ticket should be more expensive.
"The ticket thing is a good thing but at the time I would feel that the prices on the ticket should be a little bit more so that they can get the point,” Seja said.
Bochum says after a vehicle has been parked in the same place for three days, the owner is given a warning letting them know that the 72 hour period has started.
If the vehicle is still there after that time, then a $75 ticket can be expected on their windshield.
