Columbia's parking overhaul, passed in December 2024, will go into effect on March 1, 2025.

COLUMBIA — Where are you most likely to get a parking ticket?

Unsurprisingly, it's around the University of South Carolina's campus, according to the most recent data provided by the city.

Soon, parking citations will cost you more as the city’s parking overhaul goes into effect March 1.

The city passed an overhaul of its parking ordinances on Dec. 3 . The new rules will bring higher parking costs, fines and expanded enforcement hours, changes the city said were long overdue.

Though the ordinance will be active on the first day of March, a grace period will be in effect until March 10. During this time, on-street metered parking and city-owned surface lots that have pay stations will be free to park.

This won't apply to parking garages, and citations for handicap, fire lane and other violations will still be given out. This grace period was established to help people understand the changes before the fines go into effect.

The average citation will increase from $42 to $68, not including the fire lane citation increase, which jumped from $20 to $500.

Where are the most parking tickets given out in Columbia?

The highest ticketed in Columbia is the University of South Carolina's Greek Village, with street and residential parking near Greek Life housing and the Strom Thurmond Wellness and Fitness Center, according to data provided by the city.

Over a five-month period from July to December 2024, the city gave out 1,832 parking citations in Greek Village. Other ticketing hotspots include Pulaski Street, by the Publix on Gervais Street, and Devine and Lincoln streets.

The city recently installed new parking pay stations on Main Street. The city doesn't have any plans to remove Passport pay-by-phone parking, but the pay stations will replace the meters that line Main Street.

Columbia'a most frequently cited areas for parking violations

The city is still in talks with a contractor to remove the coin-fed meters, according to city spokesperson Justin Stevens. The city plans on doing the same in the Vista and Five Points. Residents who still want to pay with cash have the option of buying a pre-paid card with cash from parking services to use at pay stations, Stevens said.

A breakdown of parking rate changes in Columbia:

On-street parking rates have jumped to $1.50 per hour.

On-street parking enforcement hours have been extended to 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. No enforcement on Saturdays, except for in Five Points and the BullStreet district.

You can find a full list of fines here .