City Council Approves Parking Rate Changes
August 14, 2025 2:01 PM
by Zach Pollard
On Tuesday, the Santa Monica City Council approved parking rate changes at most city-owned parking facilities. Parking rates have stayed mostly the same since 2018, even though it’s become more expensive to operate and maintain these facilities. The rate changes are expected to increase parking-related revenue by approximately 17%. Currently parking revenue represents 6.3% of the City’s total revenue. This additional revenue will be used to cover many of the City’s expenses, including supporting upgrades, repairs, and maintenance of the city’s 42 parking facilities, and advancing investments in Clean Streets and Safe Neighborhoods.
Below is a summary of the parking changes that have been approved by Council. The new rates will not be implemented immediately, as some rates are pending approval by the California Coastal Commission.
Parking in City-Owned Structures:
- The free parking period in Downtown Structures 1 through 8 will change from 90 minutes to 30 minutes.
- Many remaining parking rates at Structures 1 through 8 will be reduced by up to 42%.
- Monthly parking passes at Structures 1 through 8 will be reduced by 20%.
- Validations will continue to be available for purchase for downtown businesses and employee validations for $6 for 6 hours and $9 for 12 hours will continue to be available for downtown employees.
Parking Meters:
- Hourly rates at parking meters in the Beach and Downtown areas will increase from $2.50 to $3.00
- Hourly rates at all other parking meters will increase from $1.25 to $1.50.
- ADA placard parking at meters will remain free.
Surface and Beach Lot Parking:
- Hourly rates in the Main Street parking lots will rise from $1.25 to $1.50 in the winter. In the summer, the hourly rates will be $2 Monday-Thursday and $2.50 Friday-Sunday.
- Hourly rates in Mid-City parking lots will increase from $1.00 to $1.25.
- Surface lot parking for ADA placard holders will be 50% of the posted rate.
- Hourly rates for short term Beach lots will rise from $1.00 to $2.00 in the winter, and to $3.00 in the summer.
- Depending on location, flat-rate Beach parking will increase by up to 33%, and Beach parking permit rates will rise 14- 20%.
Authored By
Zach Pollard
Parking Manager