Looking to resell a residential parking permit in St. Paul? That could soon be criminal.

On Wednesday, the St. Paul City Council will host a public hearing on a proposed ordinance amendment that would make the resale of street parking permits a criminal misdemeanor.

According to the amendment, anyone convicted of exchanging their parking permit “for money or other goods” would be prohibited from receiving a new permit for 12 months.

The issue arises because during the State Fair last year, St. Paul Police parking enforcement officials discovered that some residents in the residential permit parking area west of Como Park had sold parking permits to fairgoers.

“I think it’s driven almost entirely by the State Fair,” said St. Paul City Council President Amy Brendmoen, who represents the Como area. “The idea of permit parking isn’t for them to be revenue makers during the State Fair.”

For residents who live in permit parking districts, residential parking permits and visitor permits are $25 for the season. One-day hang tag permits are $3, and residents are limited to 20 hang tags per month.

Citywide, there were 972 one-day hang tags purchased last year with the Dec. 31, 2019 expiration, according to St. Paul Public Works.

Michael Kuchta, executive director of the District 10 Como Community Council, said the resales are a symptom of the Fair’s popularity.

“The State Fair does not have enough transit or enough on-site parking to handle the record-breaking crowds it’s been drawing,” Kuchta said. “We have been working with various departments in the city to monitor the impacts of parking, and enforce parking regulations.”