As in other cities, the fee for residents' parking will increase in Offenbach next year. At its most recent meeting, the municipal council decided that an annual fee of 75.00 euros instead of 30.70 euros will be payable for the resident parking permit from January 1, 2023. The reason for the comparatively moderate increase is the increasing parking pressure in residential areas. Street space is limited, while the population in Offenbach continues to grow and the number of registered vehicles is also increasing. Since January 2022, Hessian cities have been able to issue their own fee regulations for resident parking. The new regulation is intended to improve municipalities' ability to promote sustainable urban development and implement climate-friendly traffic targets through their own parking management. Vehicle owners are to receive an appropriate share of the costs incurred for the provision of public parking spaces. At the same time, switching to alternative means of transport should become more attractive - in the comparatively compact urban area of Offenbach, many journeys can be easily made by bicycle or public transport.
Wiesbaden, Darmstadt and Frankfurt have opted for an increase to 120 euros - an amount that is roughly in line with the national average. Residents' parking fees are considerably higher in Berlin, for example (220 euros), while individual cities such as Freiburg are based on one euro per day. Public parking in Offenbach also remains considerably cheaper than a parking space in a parking garage, which usually costs a three-digit amount per month.
It was also decided to reintroduce free parking for electric vehicles, which was last valid until the end of 2021. Cars with an e-license plate can use public parking spaces free of charge until 31.12.2025, for which a parking fee is otherwise due. Important: The maximum permitted parking time must not be exceeded, even by electric cars - a parking disk must be displayed.