Parking meters won't matter from Nov. 30 to Jan. 1, as the city again allows free two-hour parking in commercial corridors for the holiday shopping season.
San Diego, California – The San Diego City Council voted Monday to approve a suite of reforms aimed at modernizing the city’s approach to parking management, laying the groundwork for dynamic pricing, expanded enforcement, and a restructuring of how local parking revenues are spent.
The changes do not immediately raise parking fees but give city officials the authority to do so in the future — particularly during peak traffic hours, major events, or on Sundays, when parking has historically been free.
The vote follows more than a year of planning and study led by the city’s Sustainability and Mobility Department, which in July 2024 contracted with transportation consulting firm Fehr & Peers to conduct a comprehensive analysis of San Diego’s on-street parking system. The resulting recommendations form the basis of what the city describes as a more responsive, equitable, and efficient parking framework.
While the new policy framework allows for higher parking rates, city officials emphasized that changes will be rolled out gradually and with community input — particularly in areas where residents rely on metered street parking due to a lack of off-street options. Before meter enforcement is expanded to Sundays, city staff are required to engage with impacted residents and propose mitigation strategies.
The reforms also extend beyond pricing. City-owned parking lots and facilities are expected to see new management strategies, though those plans remain in development. Additionally, the city will update fees for valet parking permits and construction-related blockages of parking spaces — efforts intended to better align costs with demand and public use.
Another significant component of the package involves revisiting the structure of Community Parking Districts. While revenues from parking meters are legally required to be spent within the zones in which they are collected — and only on parking and mobility-related improvements — the city aims to refine how those funds are allocated and managed, potentially allowing for a broader set of uses that still comply with statutory limitations.
These reforms reflect a broader shift in how municipalities approach curb space and public infrastructure. Parking, once considered a relatively static function of urban design, is increasingly seen as a dynamic asset that must be managed in real time — balancing the needs of residents, businesses, and visitors while reducing congestion and encouraging alternative modes of transportation.
In a statement released Monday, the city said it will closely monitor the impact of any changes and adjust policies as necessary. Public notice will be provided ahead of any significant implementation milestones.
