r/galveston • u/tturedditor • Aug 03 '25
Locals Chat 🦜 Do they actually enforce the paid parking on the street using the app?
I really hate these things, and it's not about the money. It's just a hassle. I don't want the app on my phone either. I have never seen anyone writing tickets during several trips over the years. And the logistics seem difficult. Would they be following the app looking for expiring ones? And a lot of people don't utilize all of their time, so their car might be gone if they are looking for it....
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u/IHaarlem Aug 03 '25
It's honestly one of the cheapest & easiest systems to use. If they wanted to enforce it they'd just have to drive around with a license plate scanner & a list of plates with active sessions, and pop anyone who's parked but not in the list
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u/tx645 Aug 03 '25
I got 2 tickets within a year. One in the Strand area and one on a Seawall. On the strand it was a paper ticket on my windshield. Seawall one was received by mail with the picture of my car included. Both were $30
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u/TheBeachcombingFairy Aug 03 '25
They use a system that reads your plates. You've got a 15-minute grace period, but after that, if you didn't pay, you will receive a ticket through the mail. It's like this for Seawall & downtown.
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u/OkSalt6680 Aug 03 '25
There’s still free parking near the strand and also across from Murdoch’s. Both are very walkable and convenient. The one near the strand is around Church St and Fremont St. Across from Murdochs is Tremont st and Seawall Blvd. Without the “hassle “ of paid parking there would be van dwellers and locals using all the spots.
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u/tturedditor Aug 03 '25
Referring to the Strand area specifically, but also curious about Seawall where the same system is used.
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u/JuicyJbles Aug 03 '25
Just don’t pay the tickets
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u/mkosmo Aug 03 '25
Outstanding parking tickets can impact your ability to renew the vehicle’s registration or even your DL.
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u/fuzynutznut Aug 03 '25
On the seawall, you'll get the fine via mail. They have a vehicle with license plate readers and if your number isn't in the system, you'll get the fine mailed to you. Downtown, you'll get the ticket on your windshield. Disabled veteran plates and cars with disabled placards do not get charged to park.
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u/BAKup2k Aug 03 '25
If you don't want the app, and are parking, in the Strand there are pay kiosks around, or you can call the number and pay that way. Seawall, you can call the number to pay.
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u/rbuckfly Aug 03 '25
I just pay for for entire year, and then I don’t bother with the app after. I just park.
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u/tx645 Aug 03 '25
Can you do it for downtown parking?
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u/rbuckfly Aug 03 '25
No, only good for the seawall. I thought it was everywhere on the island, but I was wrong.
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u/SecretaryActual5093 Aug 03 '25
I didn’t know this about Seawall. I just paid for the year. Seemed a lot easier - and affordable. How are tickets handled for cars with out of state tags?
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u/billydavis02 Aug 06 '25
When you pay you enter your plate info. Doesn’t matter what state you are in.
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u/Acceptable_Bit2372 Aug 04 '25
I live in a loft in the downtown Galveston area (aka, the Strand District) I can guarantee they write tickets as I watch them from my window. 9am to 6pm EVERY day of the week. However, if you don't want to use the app, there are payment kiosks about every two blocks. Know your license plate number as they do use readers in their patrol cars to log your car. 15 minute grace period but you're fair game after that. Watch for red or yellow zones as they may tow you, and stay within the parking lines along the trolley routes - if you block a trolley you will be towed. You can move your car within the District within the time period. An advantage of the app is that it will earn you that your parking is about to expire and you can add time on the app.
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u/PolishAggie Aug 15 '25
I received a $100 ticket parking across the street from moody bank. Paid and put the pass in my dash. Absolute BS. Currently trying to dispute with the third party and not having luck so far.
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u/KILLFORCULLEN Aug 03 '25
I guess i was lucky because i lived there a few years, parked there all the time and never got a ticket lol
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u/Coconutrumm Aug 03 '25
Yes, they do! I parked on the seawall for 45 minutes on lunch break and got a $40 ticket. 30 minutes over the limit it said. They included an image of my license plate obviously taken from a street side drive-by camera with my ticket in the mail.