Nice mayor announces grace period before issue of parking fines
Drivers will benefit from leeway to prevent being penalised for going slightly over ticket deadline
Longer free parking in certain spaces may follow
2023 marekusz/Shutterstock.
Drivers in Nice will now benefit from a grace period before parking tickets are issued under new plans brought in by new mayor Eric Ciotti.
The change was announced by Mr Ciotti, ally of the far-right Rassemblement National – earlier this week.
Taking effect from Wednesday (April 15), drivers have a 15-minute grace period and authorities will only issue parking tickets for cars still in a spot after this time has elapsed.
This applies to paid-for on-street parking, for tickets purchased either from a ticket machine or an official parking app.
Media outlet BFMTV reports it will lead to a revenue loss for the city, but the goodwill gesture is aimed at improving quality of life for residents.
Further changes on the way?
It is one of several changes posited by Mr Ciotti, who was appointed mayor last month following his victory in the municipal elections.
He is considering an increase to the city’s free parking scheme which would offer free parking for up to two hours in certain spaces.
These spaces already allow free parking for up to one hour (increased in July 2025 from 30 minutes by previous mayor Christian Estrosi), and are aimed at improving traffic flow in the city centre and encouraging shoppers to spend longer in central areas.
Mr Ciotti previously announced he would reduce taxe foncière bills for homeowners in the Riviera city, including second homes.
