The San Diego City Council on Tuesday approved a sharp increase in fees for valet parking zones, in an effort to make up for lost revenue that would otherwise be collected by parking meters in the same space.

The proposal from the city's Transportation Department only applies to valet parking on streets with parking meters, most of which are downtown. Prior to the change, businesses had to pay only $600 when applying for a new valet parking permit and $317 when renewing an existing permit. City staff said those fees were so low, they amounted to a subsidy.

City staff initially proposed a $5,000 fee for 44 feet of valet parking curb space — the equivalent of two metered parking spaces — and $10,000 for each additional 22 feet. On streets near Petco Park, where meter rates surge during spe

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