Hermosa Beach council approves phased increase to parking fines, exempts several categories for study

The Hermosa Beach City Council voted unanimously on Sept. 9 to raise most parking fines in a three‑year, phased approach to bring the city closer to regional peer levels while directing staff to study a small set of enforcement categories separately.

Councilors approved a plan that raises each fine by $10 this year and divides the remaining increase needed to reach the staff’s proposed levels over the following two years. The council excluded three categories—red curb violations, fire‑hydrant blocking and the 72‑hour parking rule—for further review by a subcommittee and staff before any change is made.

City Administrative Services Director Brandon Walker told the council the city has not meaningfully adjusted many parking fines in more than 20 years and now trails comparable South Bay cities. "If we were to have kept up with inflation since 2005, the $38 street‑sweeping fine should be $64," Walker said during his presentation. He said roughly 75% of all citations fall into two buckets: expired meters and street sweeping violations.

Council and public speakers debated the size and public impacts of the increase. Public commenter Matt McCool warned the change would draw attention: "We're going from 35 50 to 62 50. That is a 76% increase in parking fines," he said, arguing large, sudden hikes can generate negative publicity. Library patron Laura Pena urged caution and recommended pairing any fines with better pricing and visible reinvestment: "Large fine hikes rarely improve compliance," she said, citing policy research.

Council members said they wanted a balanced approach that improves compliance and addresses long‑standing enforcement gaps while avoiding an abrupt financial shock to residents. Councilmember Ray Jackson noted enforcement realities: many repeat offenders treat tickets as a lower‑cost alternative to moving or storing a vehicle, reducing turnover and blocking spaces. From that discussion the council settled on the $10 incremental approach and voted 5–0 to adopt the revised bail schedule and related streamlining of fine categories, with the three carve‑outs to be handled later.

Council directed staff and the finance subcommittee to return with the craft of the excluded items and to report on operational details. Staff also agreed to follow up on enforcement data (including whether short‑term rental units or other out‑of‑town vehicles are being cited and whether those operators are remitting transient occupancy or other taxes). Walker said the city will implement changes administratively and return with details on effective dates and public outreach.

The new phased increases will be implemented by ordinance/resolution and will include administrative updates to the city’s bail schedule and enforcement procedures. Councilmembers emphasized an outreach plan to explain the changes to residents and visitors and to highlight how revenue will be used for parking management and maintenance.

The council also asked staff to explore parking‑inventory opportunities — including whether red‑curb standards and driveway‑blocking policies could be changed to create more legal parking spaces — and to return with options.

The motion carried on a 5–0 roll call vote (Councilmembers Francois, Keegan, Jackson, Mayor Pro Tem De Toit and Mayor Rob Seaman voting aye).