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City Council approves parking reform package allowing future Sunday enforcement; votes 5–2 amid concerns for Balboa Park and residents
Summary
The council approved a broad parking reform package that modernizes on‑street parking management (dynamic pricing range $1–$20, special‑event pricing, updates to residential permit process, and fee changes). The package allows future Sunday meter enforcement in some zones but requires residential permit zones in residential/mixed meter areas before enforcement; the vote was 5–2 with Councilmembers Von Wilpert and Moreno opposed.
The San Diego City Council on Monday approved a comprehensive package of municipal code amendments, council policy updates and fee changes intended to modernize on‑street parking management and create tools such as dynamic pricing and special‑event rates.
Staff described the package as organized around three goals: provide tools for dynamic parking management, align curb and parking policies with broader city goals (including Vision Zero and the Climate Action Plan), and correct fee structures to reflect lost revenue when paid spaces are unavailable. Proposed changes include a meter rate range (for example, $1 to $20 per hour) to enable variable pricing, the ability to enforce meters on Sundays in certain zones, streamlined processes for residential parking permit studies, and adjustments to community parking district (CPD) policies, valet permit rules and parking‑blockage fees.
The Independent Budget Analyst conveyed revenue modeling and recommended that revenue changes affecting FY2026 be addressed during final budget deliberations. Multiple speakers during public comment urged caution and planning: Balboa Park cultural groups and volunteers asked that the park retain free parking options for volunteers and visitors and requested funds be returned to the park; business groups expressed conditional support but raised concerns about developer and project‑cost impacts; neighborhood advocates opposed Sunday enforcement as regressive and requested strong resident protections.
Council members debated protections for residents who park on street — a central point in the discussion. Councilmember Whitburn and staff negotiated language to require that, "prior to enforcing parking meters on Sundays in residential or mixed‑use areas within existing parking meter zones, a residential parking permit zone must be created for the subject area." Councilmembers also sought commitments from the mayor's office to return with a resident/nonresident permit program and a Balboa Park user‑fee schedule.
The motion to move the staff recommendation passed 5–2. Councilmembers Von Wilpert and Moreno voted no; Councilmembers Foster and Campbell were absent. Staff said they intend to follow up with a city treasurer proposal for resident/nonresident parking and return a Balboa Park user fee schedule in July so the council can consider user‑fee updates for off‑street lots and park lots such as the zoo and Balboa Park.
