How do you know when “The Season” officially kicks off in Vero Beach?

The police department starts enforcing the city’s parking-time limits beachside and downtown – in effect year-round from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday – on Saturdays, too.

The additional enforcement began last weekend, but Vero Beach Police Chief David Currey said only warnings would be given the first two Saturdays to allow residents and visitors to adjust to the change.

Citations for parking violations on Saturdays will be issued starting Dec. 2, and Currey said Saturday enforcement is scheduled to continue until June 1.

“It’s the same thing we’ve been doing for many years,” Currey said. “With more people here for the season, we want to make sure they don’t park there beyond the time allowed, so the spaces turn over.”

City officials approved the Saturday enforcement in response to requests from merchants who want the spaces to be available for customers and, particularly along Ocean Drive, not monopolized by hotel and restaurant employees.

Currently, there’s a two-hour parking limit beachside and three-hour limit in the downtown area.

“We don’t just arbitrarily decide we’re going to add enforcement on Saturdays,” Current said. “We do this for the merchants. We talk to them every year. If they decide they don’t want the additional enforcement, we won’t do it.

“But that’s not what they’re telling us.”