Parking
MAY OFFICE CLOSURES:
- FRIDAY, MAY 3 - CLOSED ALL DAY
- FRIDAY, MAY 17 - CLOSED ALL DAY
- MONDAY, MAY 27 - CLOSED ALL DAY
- FRIDAY, MAY 31 - CLOSED ALL DAY
Our normal office hours are Monday through Thursday from 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM and every other Friday from 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM.
New Santa Monica Parking App Makes Finding a Parking Space in Santa Monica Easier
Driving around the block looking for a parking space is now a thing of the past in Santa Monica with the release of the Santa Monica Parking app for iPhone. Santa Monica Parking – Powered by ParkMe provides real-time parking information for the city’s 28 lots, 12 structures, and 5,967 on-street metered parking spaces. The app also includes information on privately owned parking facilities in Santa Monica.
iPhone users can download the app for free via the Apple App Store by using the search string “Santa Monica Parking.” An Android version will be available in the coming months. Users can customize their parking options based on price, total time required for parking, and distance. These options can be changed at any time.
The City has provided parking availability for lots and structures for several years. However, the added ability to show real-time availability of on-street metered spaces is an added bonus for those looking for parking. The technology works by leveraging existing infrastructure already in use by the City’s recently deployed smart parking meters.
Read the full press release here.
City Adopts New Parking Rates
On July 10, 2012, the City Council adopted new parking rates that became effective on October 1, 2012, except for at the beach lots where the new rates will be effective November 1, 2012. The proposed parking rates will assist the City in managing its limited parking resources by reducing rates at underutilized locations and times and increase rates where demand is high. In summary, the new parking rates offer:
Reduced parking rates for most evening Downtown visitors by eliminating the flat rate in the parking structures. The average evening visitor stays 2.5 hours. Under the new rate, 2.5 hours after 6 PM will cost $1.00 vs. the previous rate of $5.00.
Reduced parking rates at the Civic Center and Library with the rate of $1.00 per hour and a $5.00 daily maximum.
Increased rates at the beach lots that reflect demand.
A 25 cent increase to parking meters citywide, except the Downtown.
A significant increase in Downtown on-street parking meter rates to reflect demand.
An increase to Downtown Parking Structure rates during the peak daytime period by reducing the free period to 90 minutes and increasing the hourly rate after 2.5 hours and the maximum daily rate to reflect market rates. Customers who stay 2.5 hours will pay the same rate, $1.00, as they do today. Those who stay longer than 2.5 hours will see an incremental increase of $1.00 per hour over the previous rates.
For a complete list of the new parking rates, please click here.
To read the staff report click here.
Main Street Employee Parking Permits Now Available
The City now offers an affordable parking option to employees of businesses located along Main Street in Santa Monica. Main Street Employee Parking Permits are valid to park in nearby beach lots 4S (2030 Ocean Ave.) and 5S (2600 Barnard Way) in order to provide more available spaces for shoppers and visitors.
For information on how to purchase a Main Street Employee Parking Permit, click here.
City Expands Use of Parking Meter Sensors
On May 14, 2012, Santa Monica began a process to expand the use of parking meter sensors. The sensors are part of the new credit card enabled parking meters installed over the past several months and represent the latest in parking meter technology. The meter sensors, along with the new meters, provide significantly improved parking management tools as well as customer service enhancements. Highlights of the new parking meters include:
Improved customer experience by allowing payments by credit card or coin.
Enhanced parking data through real-time, daily, and monthly reports of parking space usage, regardless of whether the meter was paid or not. This, combined with the ability to track average length of stay, will allow the City to better manage parking space time limits and provide data to adjust time limits where needed to meet demand.
Expansion of real-time parking maps to include on-street parking spaces. Ultimately customers will be able to use online and mobile applications for parking guidance and information, enhancing the public’s ability to find available parking spaces.
The sensors require customers to pay for all of the time they park at the space by resetting the meter when a vehicle vacates the spot. This is similar to long-standing operations of the City’s off-street parking facilities.
The parking meter sensors also ensure compliance with existing time limit restrictions by preventing the same vehicle from parking beyond the posted time limit, thus freeing up the space for other parkers. Customers who attempt to "feed" the meter beyond the maximum time limit will be alerted by a message “max time exceeded.” Leaving a car parked beyond the posted time limit is prohibited by law and subject to a citation. Long-term parking is available in nearby City-owned parking lots and structures.
Parking Meter Frequently Asked Questions
See the full Press Release
The SantaMoniCard program has been discontinued as of June 2012
The SantaMoniCard was a program to facilitate the use of parking meters and to provide a payment alternative to coins for frequent visitors. In January 2012, the City completed the installation of new "smart" parking meters that accept credit cards and coins. This new technology eliminates the need for the SantaMoniCard technology that has become increasingly expensive to maintain over the years. The parking meters in Santa Monica will continue to accept the cards if they contain any unused balance. We will no longer issue new cards nor add value to existing cards as of Thursday, June 28, 2012.
Downtown Parking Structure 6 Under Construction Until Late 2013
Parking Structure 6 (PS6) located at 1431 2nd Street is currently closed for construction. The new PS6 is expected to be complete in late 2013 and will have over 700 new parking spaces, bike racks for approximately 90 bikes and 7,000 square feet of new retail space. It will also meet sustainability standards, including the placement of solar panels on the roof, and feature new public art.
In the meantime, here are a few strategies for getting around downtown: