Parking downtown? These Wilmington streets were ticketed the most in 2023

More than 28,000 parking tickets were issued in the city of Wilmington in 2023.

With 1,040 metered on-street parking spaces in downtown Wilmington, parking infractions aren't uncommon. However, certain streets are more notorious for these ticketed violations than others.

Parking downtown currently costs $2.50 an hour in metered spaces, with a daily maximum of $23.75, according to the city of Wilmington webpage. Metered parking is enforced Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. until 6:30 p.m., excluding 11 city-observed holidays. Parking at an expired meter can result in a $20 fine, with other parking citations incurring varying fines between $5 and $250.

Parking citation data provided by the city of Wilmington via a public records request reveals the streets that garnered the highest number of parking tickets in 2023. Here are the top 10.

10. Walnut Street

Approximate number of parking citations issued: 726

Walnut Street secured the 10th spot on the list of Wilmington streets with the highest number of parking citations in 2023. Located close to The Cotton Exchange, a shopping center with a variety of stores and restaurants, and Cape Fear Community College, this street is frequented by many. Most parking citations were issued in the 100 block of Walnut Street, with approximately 35% of citations issued in the area.

9. Ann Street

Approximate number of parking citations issued: 996

At number nine on the list is Ann Street, located on the outskirts of Wilmington's Central Business District. More than half of parking citations issued on Ann Street were in the 100 block, a relatively residential portion of the street.

8. Grace Street and Water Street

Approximate number of parking citations issued: 1,136

Grace Street and Water Street tied for the eighth spot on the list, both with just under 1,150 parking citations issued in 2023. Located in walking distance of Hotel Ballast and a variety of restaurants and bars, approximately 51% of parking citations were issued in the 100 block of Grace Street. Approximately 34% of parking tickets were issued in the 200 block of Water Street, within a close proximity of similar establishments.

7. Dock Street

Approximate number of parking citations issued: 1,247

Dock Street lands at number seven. Located near St. James Episcopal Church, the Burgwin-Wright House and Gardens, and numerous shops, approximately 42% of parking citations on Dock Street were issued in the 200 block.

6. Chestnut Street

Approximate number of parking citations issued: 1,257

Chestnut Street comes in sixth for the most ticketed streets in Wilmington. In proximity to the U.S. Post Office, pubs, and just a short walk from Hotel Ballast and N. Front and Water Streets, 29% of parking citations on Chestnut Street were issued in the 100 block.

5. Market Street

Approximate number of parking citations issued: 1,644

A well-traveled street in Wilmington, Market Street is number five on the list. Roughly 40% of tickets were issued in the 100 block of Market Street -- centrally located to the attractions of downtown Wilmington. A relatively small portion of the overall total -- approximately 90 tickets -- were issued to cars parked in Market Street parking decks, rather than to vehicles in on-street metered parking spaces in 2023.

4. Princess Street

Approximate number of parking citations issued: 2,286

With nearly 2,300 parking citations, Princess Street takes the fourth spot for Wilmington. In a trend similar to other Wilmington streets, most parking citations issued on Princess Street in 2023 were closer to the riverfront. More than 1,900 parking citations were issued in and below the 200 block of Princess Street.

3. Orange Street

Approximate number of parking citations issued: 3,927

Running alongside the Children's Museum of Wilmington, Hannah Block Historic USO Community Arts Center, and other popular sites, Orange Street is the third most ticketed street in Wilmington. One portion of Orange Street accounts for more than 84% of parking citations issued in the area -- with over 3,300 parking citations recorded solely in the 200 block.

2. Front Street

Approximate number of parking citations issued: 5,093

A runner up for first place -- Front Street takes the second highest rank for the number of parking tickets issued in Wilmington last year. As downtown Wilmington's main street, full of bars, restaurants, and shops, Front Street brings in numerous residents and visitors. Approximately half of the parking citations were issued on the North end of Front Street.

1. Second Street

Approximate number of parking citations issued: 5,294

Coming in at first place for Wilmington's most ticketed street is Second Street. Second Street edges ahead by just over 200 tickets compared to its close contender -- Front Street. Intersecting with several other well-traveled streets in downtown Wilmington, Second Street has a high traffic flow. On-street parking isn't the only major contributor to the street's parking violations, with more than 1,500 tickets stemming from citations given in second street parking lots.