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Laguna Beach approves switch to license-plate digital parking permits
Summary
City council approved a three-year contract to move from physical parking permits to a license‑plate based digital system, with a phased rollout and customer-support focus to help residents transition.
Laguna Beach City Council approved a three-year agreement to convert the city’s longstanding physical parking‑sticker system to a digital, license‑plate based system that city staff says will streamline enforcement and customer service.
The new system will let residents change permit registrations online by license plate instead of swapping adhesive stickers. Michael, the city’s chief director of Transit & Community Services, told the council the vendor package includes customer support and will be loaded with existing permit plate data so enforcement officers can use license‑plate readers to check payment more efficiently.
Why it matters: Council and staff said the change will reduce staff time spent issuing and replacing physical stickers, speed enforcement by allowing parking officers to be alerted when a plate has not paid, and remove a paperwork step for residents who buy new cars. Michael said the city budgeted extra vendor support for the first years because the transition will require a high level of public assistance.
City staff described a phased transition. Existing two‑year shopper permits will remain valid through their term; new or replacement permits issued after the launch will be plate based. Staff told the council the department will aim to begin plate‑based enforcement in July 2025 once plate data are loaded and systems are integrated with the police license‑plate reader vehicle.
Council asked about long‑term vendor lock‑in and service costs. Staff said the initial contract term is three years with two one‑year extension options, and that the city could re‑solicit at contract end if desired. Staff also said the annualized cost is comparable to the present system once the city stops using the older permit software and associated staff time.
Council action: A motion to adopt the contract and proceed with implementation passed unanimously on the consent calendar. Council said staff should run an outreach campaign targeted at seniors and others who may need in‑person help converting to the new system.
What’s next: Staff will run public outreach, prepare the plate data import, and begin phased enforcement once the system and camera integrations are complete. Staff expects some permits to remain transitional until the next shopper permit cycle in summer 2026.
