Ordinance committee forwards change to parking code to allow pay-by-plate pilot at Helena lot

The Santa Barbara City Ordinance Committee voted 2-1 to forward to City Council a proposed amendment to Municipal Code Title 10, Section 10.44.152 that would modernize how the city accepts payment in municipally owned or operated parking lots and permit a pay-by-plate pilot at the Helena lot.

The change would allow the public works director to set procedures and payment methods for each municipal lot, require payment before a vehicle exits a lot, and enable enforcement through a fee-due notice that can become a citation if unpaid, similar to enforcement used at waterfront lots for the last decade. Committee members moved and seconded the staff recommendation with comments asking that the measure clarify it excludes on-street parking and that the administrative authority (public works director vs. city administrator) be reconsidered.

Edward France, downtown plaza and parking manager, told the committee the update is…