Visitors heading to John’s Pass for sun and seafood say they are leaving with something else entirely: $63 "citations" from a private parking operator, even while the ParkMobile app still showed paid time on the clock. The paper notices, which some drivers say look a lot like city tickets, have sparked complaints from tourists and nearby businesses who worry the practice is chasing people away. The lot is operated under the Florida Parking Co. name by UPP Global, a company that has already drawn consumer-protection scrutiny in other states.
Drivers say private lot issued citations early
According to reporting by WTSP, several drivers say they were hit with a roughly $63 "citation" at a private lot near John’s Pass just minutes before their paid time was set to expire. WTSP reported that Andrew Belzer said he was cited before his meter ran out, while another customer, John Connallon, still had a few minutes left on his ParkMobile receipt when he returned to find a notice on his windshield. The same reporting notes that the private lot was charging $20 for the first two hours of parking.
Madeira Beach's rules differ from private lots
On its official parking page, Madeira Beach lists city rates at $4 per hour and instructs drivers to begin their ParkMobile session "upon arrival." The city site also directs visitors to an online dispute portal for formal appeals of municipal tickets. Private operators, however, can set their own rates and may place paper notices on vehicles when they believe a driver has overstayed.
UPP Global has a national record of enforcement and settlements
The company behind the lot, UPP Global, which often operates under the Florida Parking Co. brand, has already drawn attention from regulators elsewhere. As announced by the Rhode Island Attorney General's Office, state prosecutors filed suit against UPP in August 2024, alleging that its notices "mimic the appearance of a government-issued parking ticket" and included deceptive threats. In 2025, Vermont Business Magazine reported that Vermont's attorney general reached a $150,000 settlement with UPP. In Florida, Pinellas County plaintiffs negotiated a class settlement that created a $650,000 common fund to compensate affected drivers, according to American Legal.
Towne Park now owns the operation
In August 2024, Towne Park announced that it had acquired a majority stake in Unified Parking Partners (UPP), saying the deal would expand its footprint and bring additional resources to the business. In its press release, Towne Park said UPP would keep operating under its existing brand while benefiting from the scale of the larger company.
Legal implications for drivers and operators
State officials and court filings stress that private parking "citations" are not government tickets and can mislead consumers into paying fees that do not carry municipal authority. In Florida, plaintiffs alleged that the notices violated the Florida Consumer Collection Practices Act and the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act, according to American Legal. The Rhode Island complaint described notices that referenced towing, credit damage and other consequences that were alleged to go beyond what a private parking operator can lawfully threaten.
What drivers can do
Drivers who believe they were charged unfairly are advised to keep their ParkMobile receipt, photograph the notice and its timestamp, and file a dispute through either the city portal or the ParkMobile app. Madeira Beach provides information on current rates, how to pay and where to submit disputes, and drivers can also contact the city’s parking office for assistance.
