Oxnard City Council reviews private parking ordinance to enhance enforcement options

The Oxnard City Council is set to enhance parking management in the city with the introduction of a new private parking ordinance. This ordinance, presented by Planning Supervisor Jamie Peltier, will empower private property owners to enforce parking regulations on their premises, a move aimed at improving parking turnover and customer satisfaction at local shopping centers.

The ordinance stems from a broader legislative change in California initiated in 2015, which allows municipalities to adopt regulations that enable private property owners to issue tickets for unauthorized parking. Currently, the only enforcement option available is towing, which can be cumbersome for property owners. The new ordinance will provide an alternative by allowing designated third-party operators to issue parking charges, thereby streamlining the enforcement process.

Under the proposed regulations, shopping centers with over 200 parking spaces, such as The Collection and The Esplanade, can register with the city to implement their own parking enforcement plans. This includes installing proper signage and establishing a dispute resolution process for customers who receive parking charges. The ordinance mandates that property owners notify the public about new parking regulations at least seven days before enforcement begins.

The parking charges will be capped at $65, aligning with existing fines for stopping in a red zone. Importantly, these charges will not be processed through the Department of Motor Vehicles, ensuring that customers understand these are not city-issued fines but rather charges from the property owners.

The ordinance has already received a favorable recommendation from the Community Services, Public Safety, Housing, and Development Committee, which voted unanimously to move it forward. The City Council will now consider the first reading of the ordinance, which aims to provide a structured approach to managing private parking while enhancing the overall experience for shoppers in Oxnard.

As the city prepares to implement this ordinance, it represents a significant step towards modernizing parking management and addressing the needs of both property owners and the community.