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Harbor Commission backs amendment to allow pay‑by‑plate parking and LPR enforcement in waterfront lots
Summary
The commission voted unanimously to forward a proposed amendment to Santa Barbara Municipal Code 17.36.010 to the City Council ordinance committee to allow pay‑by‑plate payment and license plate recognition enforcement in waterfront parking lots. Staff described equipment, rollout plans, retained cash machines and citation procedures.
The Harbor Commission on Aug. 21 voted to forward a proposed amendment to Santa Barbara Municipal Code 17.36.010 that would permit pay‑by‑plate parking and license plate recognition (LPR) enforcement in waterfront parking lots.
Waterfront Business Manager Cesar Barrios explained that six waterfront lots (Ledbetter, Harbor West, Chase Palm Park, the Garden Street lot, and two Cabrillo lots) currently operate under a pay‑and‑display model requiring drivers to post a printed receipt on the dashboard. The proposed change would replace the dashboard receipt requirement with a pay‑by‑plate system that registers the vehicle’s license plate at the payment kiosk and allows parking monitors to verify payment by scanning plates with LPR equipment. Barrios said Stearns Wharf and Harbor Main would remain gated, revenue‑control locations and are not part of the proposed change at this time.
Staff described a single vehicle equipped with two LPR cameras that can drive through a lot and compare scanned plates with the payment database, flag unpaid vehicles for citation, and allow for mobile payment extensions. Barrios said the city would retain at least one pay station per lot that accepts cash for users who do not use mobile payments.
Commissioners pressed on rollout and user education, cash acceptance, citation process and integration of annual permits. Barrios said staff plans a January 1 rollout with advance communication via email, signage and social media, and that annual permit holders will be integrated into the system so a license plate can function as an annual permit. He noted California law currently requires paper citations; while LPR can identify unpaid vehicles, citations issued to violators will be paper tickets.
Commissioner Nelson moved the recommendation to forward the title 17 amendment to the City Council ordinance committee; Vice Chair Ford seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
What’s next: Staff will pursue the ordinance committee referral, finalize hardware/software procurement and prepare outreach materials for the planned rollout.
