San Diego council approves paid parking, passes for Balboa Park to take effect Jan. 5, 2026

The San Diego City Council voted 6–3 on Nov. 18 to adopt a staff plan to implement paid parking in Balboa Park, including new monthly, quarterly and annual passes and a special-event fee structure, with the program slated to begin Jan. 5, 2026.

City parks program manager Conrad Ware summarized the package in a staff presentation, saying the plan would pair tiered daily rates with discounts for verified residents and an online verification portal. "We are proposing that the new fees become effective 01/05/2026," he said, and described a resident annual pass set at $150 and a nonresident annual pass at $300, noting the passes would be tied to license plates and not valid on zoo-managed lots.

The proposal includes a one-time $5 resident verification fee (valid three years) administered through a vendor, and a special-event formula and flat-rate templates for run/walk events. "To receive resident rates, users will complete an online verification using residential information, such as a driver's license or a utility bill," Ware said.

Beth Nacone, the city treasurer's parking program manager, answered questions about the vendor arrangement and said IPS was selected and proposed a $5 per-vehicle verification fee to cover manual document review. "That is to pay IPS for the staff that is being brought on to do that manual review," she said.

The city's Independent Budget Analyst, Baku Patel, told the council that offering the pass options will lower near-term revenue projections from earlier estimates: the IBA estimated the program would generate roughly $4 million in FY2026 while staff estimated $2.9 million — both substantially below the $12.5 million assumed previously in the budget.

Residents, nonprofit leaders and volunteers made more than two hours of public comments, warning that a $300 nonresident annual fee could discourage county visitors and that volunteers and nonprofit program participants could be priced out. Paul Gunn of the San Diego Beekeeping Society urged a validation system for volunteer parking. "A validation system for people attending club meetings would work," he said.

Supporters of the staff package argued it prioritizes residents with discounted passes, delays charging until the verification portal is ready, and provides funds restricted to park infrastructure. Council President Joe LaCava moved the staff recommendation and Council Member Campbell seconded it. Opponents included Council Members Moreno and Campillo, who cited affordability concerns; Council Member Whitburn said she would vote no because the fees ‘‘feel like an admission charge to Balboa Park.’’

The motion passed 6–3; the city clerk recorded Council Members Moreno, Campillo and Von Wilpert as the three no votes. City staff said quarterly monitoring will report on occupancy, participation in the pass program, revenue vs. projections, enforcement compliance and stakeholder feedback, and that a one-year formal evaluation would follow implementation.

If implemented as presented, revenue collected from paid parking must be spent within Balboa Park to maintain or improve park infrastructure and services. Staff committed to outreach to community partners, special-use permit holders and volunteer organizations to operationalize free passes for eligible volunteers and employees and to refine special-event rules before launch.

The council also directed staff to return periodic updates and a one‑year evaluation with recommended rate adjustments based on data and stakeholder input.