A recent increase in Gaithersburg’s parking fines makes Rockville’s fines the lowest in Montgomery County. Gaithersburg’s increase was intended to make fines match the county’s, Gaithersburg Police Chief Mark Sroka said. The city was having a problem with violators paying two different fines on two tickets for the same type of violation — one issued by the county and the other by the city.
The increase also should deter repeat offenders, which has been a problem, Sroka said.
| Parking fines throughout Montgomery County |
| Gaithersburg |
| Parking in a handicapped spot: $250 |
| Parking next to a yellow curb: $250 |
| Parking in an intersection: $60 |
| Parking where a time limit is posted: $60 |
| Rockville |
| Miscellaneous violations: $40 |
| Parking in a handicapped spot: $100 |
| Parking in a fire lane: $100 |
| Montgomery County |
| Parking within 35 feet of an intersection: $60 |
| Parking where a time limit is posted: $60 |
| Parking in a fire lane: $250 |
| Parking in a handicapped spot: $250 |
Gaithersburg increased the fines for 28 violations from $50 to $60. From April through June, the city issued an average 209 tickets per month.
By contrast, Rockville levies a $40 fee for most parking violations.
The most notable difference is the fine for parking in a handicapped space — $250 in Gaithersburg or at the county level, $100 in Rockville.
“On a philosophical viewpoint for me, it’s a serious thing to park in a handicapped lane,” said Rockville Police Chief Terry Treschulk. But, he said, a $100 fine portrays the seriousness of the offense while not being so high that people argue the tickets in court.
Treschulk said Rockville last increased fines about 10 years ago and has no plans to raise fines again anytime soon.
“These are appropriate for what we do,” he said. “We’re not looking to raise revenue.”
Rockville’s approach differs somewhat from those in Fairfax and Montgomery counties, where parking and moving violation fines were increased last year to help close budget gaps.
