AGENDA REPORT
City Council
MEETING
DATE:
August 12, 2026
PREPARED
BY:
Abe Bandegan, P.E., T.E.
City Traffic Engineer
DEPARTMENT
DIRECTOR:
Dan Nutter, P.E.
DEPARTMENT: Engineering CITY
MANAGER:
Jennifer Campbell
SUBJECT:
Updates to the City of Encinitas Permit Parking Program and Municipal Code Chapter 14.41 and Adoption of Ordinance No. 2026-12 and Updates to City of Encinitas Municipal Code 14.42 and Adoption of Ordinance No. 2026-13
RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:
1. Receive the report by Dixon Resources Unlimited, Inc. on City of Encinitas’ Permit Parking Program (Attachment 1).
2. Adopt Ordinance No. 2026-12 titled “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Encinitas, California, amending Chapter 14.41, Permit Parking Zones, of the Encinitas Municipal Code” (Attachment 2).
3. Adopt Ordinance No. 2026-13, titled “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Encinitas, California, Amending Chapter 14.42, Parking Violation Enforcement, of the Encinitas Municipal Code” (Attachment 3).
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS:
The action being considered by the City Council is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it is not a “project” under Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment. The action is also exempt from CEQA under Section 15378(b)(5) of the CEQA Guidelines because it involves an organizational or administrative activity of government that will not result in the direct or indirect physical change in the environment.
This item does not relate to the Climate Action Plan.
GENERAL PLAN/CITY COUNCIL FOCUS AREAS:
This project aligns with Circulation Element Goal 1: “Encinitas should have a transportation 2026-08-12 Item #08G - Updated 08/10/2026 Page 1 of 48
system that is safe, convenient, and efficient, and sensitive to and compatible with surrounding community character,” and Circulation Element Goal 2: “The City will make every effort to develop a varied transportation system that is capable of serving both the existing population and future residents while preserving community values and character.” This project also aligns with the 2026-27 City Council Focus Area 3, Safe and Efficient Mobility and Circulation for all Modes of Transportation, and Focus Area 6, Strengthening and Adhering to the General Plan While Implementing Responsible Development.
FISCAL CONSIDERATIONS:
There is no direct fiscal impact associated with the recommended action to amend the Encinitas Municipal Code (EMC). However, any potential additional permit parking areas approved by the City Council would have fiscal impacts associated with both initial implementation and ongoing upkeep that would be requested in subsequent actions.
BACKGROUND:
Residential Permit Parking programs are commonly implemented by local agencies to manage on-street parking demand within residential neighborhoods. These programs are intended to prioritize parking availability for residents in areas impacted by non-resident parking associated with nearby commercial areas, schools, transit access, or other activity centers. Similar permit parking programs have been adopted by jurisdictions throughout California and the San Diego region to address localized parking congestion and neighborhood parking impacts.
In May 2021, staff received requests to implement a Permit Parking Area in the residential neighborhood north of Via Molena. The neighborhood includes Via Tavira, Via Sarasan, Via Palacio, and Via Villena.
On August 9, 2021, the Mobility and Traffic Safety Commission (MTSC) asked staff to evaluate the need and feasibility of a Designated Parking Area in the neighborhood.
On November 8, 2021, staff provided the Parking Area evaluation and report to the MTSC. Staff did not recommend a Permit Parking Area for the above-mentioned streets because the requirements to establish a Permit Parking Area per Municipal Code Chapter 14.41 (Attachment 2) were not met. The MTSC recommended approval of the Permit Parking Area.
On February 22, 2023, staff brought an ordinance to amend Chapter 14.41 of the Encinitas Municipal Code (EMC), Permit Parking Areas. City Council directed staff to receive feedback and input from the Planning Commission and MTSC regarding the proposed modifications.
On June 1, 2023, staff proposed changes to EMC Chapter 14.41, Permit Parking Areas, to the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission voted 5-0-0 to support the proposed municipal code changes with two (2) additions:
1. Permit Parking Areas shall include residents within a 5-minute walk of the proposed permit parking area.
2. 500-foot noticing requirement from the proposed parking permit area.
On August 14, 2023, the MTSC reviewed the staff proposed changes to EMC Chapter 14.41, 2026-08-12 Item #08G - Updated 08/10/2026 Page 2 of 48
Permit Parking Areas. MTSC voted 4-1-1 to support the proposed municipal code changes.
On September 27, 2023, the City Council directed staff to hire a consultant to review the city’s permit parking program, compare it to other cities, evaluate for potential improvements, and recommend amendments to the current municipal code.
In December 2023, the City entered into an agreement with Dixon Resources Unlimited, Inc. to review and potentially amend Chapter 14.41 of the Encinitas municipal code.
On April 9, 2025, the City Council provided additional directions to staff regarding additional revisions needed for the Permit Parking Program of the City to be incorporated into Chapter 14.41 of the municipal code.
On April 23, 2025, the City Council provided additional directions to staff regarding additional revisions needed for the Permit Parking Program of the City to be incorporated into Chapter 14.41 of the municipal code.
On August 11, 2025, the new revisions were presented to the Mobility and Traffic Commission (MTSC) for input and feedback.
On August 27, 2025, the draft program was presented to the City Council. The City Council created a subcommittee of Mayor Ehlers and Councilmember Shaffer to finalize the ordinance language based on community input; conduct a line-by-line review of the proposed ordinance; and hold publicly noticed community meetings as needed that include participation from residents of Zone D.
On November 6, 2025, and December 9, 2025, the subcommittee met with city residents, city staff and consultants and discussed the details of the program. Subcommittee reviewed details of the program and received input from participating residents.
On June 17, 2026, the City Council conducted a public hearing regarding amending Chapter
14.41 of the City of Encinitas Municipal Code and received the Dixon Resources Unlimited, Inc.
Report regarding the City’s Permit Parking Program, Ordinances 2026-12 and 2026-13 to amend Chapters 14.41 and 14.42 of the City’s Municipal Code were also introduced. The only direction by the City Council was the modification of monthly guest passes from 5 days to 10 days which is reflected in Ordinance 2026-12.
ANALYSIS:
Dixon Resources Unlimited, Inc. reviewed several other cities’ programs, reviewed the city’s existing program, and held meetings with the community, MTSC, and the Planning Commission.
The first community meeting was held on March 11, 2024. The second community meeting was held on July 29, 2024. MTSC reviewed the proposal at its August 12, 2024, meeting and the Planning Commission reviewed the proposed program at its November 7, 2024, meeting.
The changes proposed by the consultant were presented to the subcommittee and residents during the two subcommittee meetings. Consensus was built toward different details of the program and program language was revised accordingly. The final version of the draft Permit Parking Program of the City is shown in Exhibit A of Attachment 2. 2026-08-12 Item #08G - Updated 08/10/2026 Page 3 of 48
A summary of the of the changes to the municipal code and details of the program as proposed is mentioned below.
Key Components of the new Permit Parking Program of City of Encinitas Definitions and Program Administration
These definitions are intended to modernize and standardize the City’s permit parking terminology, improve clarity for residents and enforcement staff, and establish consistent administrative procedures for future permit parking areas citywide. • Establishes definitions for:
o Commercial Vehicles
o Commuter Vehicles
o Oversized Vehicles
o Guests and Event Permits
o Residential Parking Permits
o Residential Permit Parking Areas
o Service Vehicles
o Quality of Life Factors
• Designates a Parking Program Manager responsible for administration and oversight of the program.
Residential Parking Permit Exemptions
These exemptions are intended to ensure that essential public safety, utility, delivery, and servicerelated activities can continue without interruption while maintaining the effectiveness of residential permit parking regulations. Permits also provide an exemption from posted parking time limits but do not guarantee parking availability or reserved spaces. • Vehicles with valid Residential Parking Permits may park within designated permit areas without being subject to time restrictions.
• Permits do not reserve specific parking spaces.
• Exemptions apply to:
o Emergency vehicles
o Police vehicles
o Service and utility vehicles
o Delivery vehicles
o City-owned vehicles used for official business
o Vehicles exempt under State law.
Council Authority and Flexibility
The City Council will have complete authority to establish, amend or set specifications to existing or new permit parking zones via City Council Resolutions. Establishing these operational standards by future City Council resolution, rather than directly in the Municipal Code, allows the City to adapt the program over time as neighborhood conditions, parking demand, and community needs evolve without requiring additional ordinance amendments. 2026-08-12 Item #08G - Updated 08/10/2026 Page 4 of 48
• The City Council may establish permit program standards through resolution, including:
o Permit area size
o Petition thresholds
o Parking occupancy requirements
o Permit quantities
o Guest permits
o Event permits
o Permit fees
o Days and hours of enforcement.
• This approach allows future modifications without requiring amendments to the Municipal Code.
Establishment of Residential Permit Parking Areas
The proposed ordinance establishes a formalized citywide process for creating Residential Permit Parking Areas. The intent of this framework is to ensure that permit parking areas are created using objective criteria, measurable parking demand data, and a transparent public process, while maintaining flexibility for the City Council to address neighborhood-specific conditions.
The updated program is designed to address parking impacts associated with increased residential density, commercial activity, recreational destinations, schools, neighboring city spillover, and other external parking demand sources that may negatively affect neighborhood quality of life and parking availability for residents.
Qualification Criteria
• Residential Permit Parking Areas are generally intended for contiguous residential areas with approximately 1,500 feet of street frontage. • Areas must experience parking impacts associated with:
o Commercial uses
o Recreational areas
o Schools
o Higher-density residential development
o Neighboring city impacts.
Petition Process
• Residents may initiate consideration of a permit area through submission of a neighborhood petition demonstrating support from at least 51% of dwelling units within the proposed permit area boundary.
• To verify support, the City would establish a petition boundary map and corresponding address list identifying all eligible dwelling units included in the proposed area. • Additional petition requirements include:
o One signature per dwelling unit.
o Participation by renters, owners, and property managers where applicable. o City staff verification of petition signatures and addresses prior to determining whether the minimum support threshold has been met o Units with conflicting responses or unverifiable information are excluded from the threshold calculation.
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The 51% petition threshold is intended to demonstrate majority neighborhood support before the City initiates the formal review process for a Residential Permit Parking Area. Requiring majority participation helps ensure that permit parking restrictions reflect the interests of the affected community and balances the interests of residents both in favor of and opposed to permit parking regulations.
The threshold was intentionally established as a simple majority requirement to provide a reasonable balance between neighborhood consensus and practical implementation feasibility.
Parking Occupancy and Review Process
• Upon receipt of a valid petition, City staff would:
o Notify all residents in the proposed area.
o Conduct parking occupancy surveys.
o Evaluate quality-of-life impacts.
o Refer recommendations to the Mobility and Traffic Safety Commission (MTSC).
• A minimum 50% parking occupancy during peak demand periods is required before staff may recommend establishing a permit parking area. • Final approval authority rests with the City Council.
The 50% parking occupancy threshold is intended to establish an objective baseline demonstrating that a neighborhood is experiencing measurable parking demand before permit parking restrictions are considered. The threshold helps ensure that permit parking areas are implemented only in locations where parking impacts are significant enough to potentially affect resident parking availability, neighborhood circulation, or quality of life. The threshold also provides flexibility for the City Council to consider additional neighborhood-specific factors, including traffic safety concerns, spillover parking patterns, and recurring parking conflicts.
Program Stability
This provision is intended to provide operational consistency and avoid repeated changes to permit parking regulations shortly after implementation, while still preserving City Council discretion to address unforeseen circumstances when necessary. • Once established, permit parking areas cannot be modified for at least one year unless directed by the City Council.
• The City Council retains discretion to create, modify, or remove permit parking areas with or without a resident petition.
Permit Issuance and Limitations
Annual permit issuance and non-transferability requirements are intended to improve accountability, maintain accurate permit records, and support future transition to digital permit management systems. Eligibility requirements are intended to verify residency, reduce permit misuse, and ensure that permits are issued only to qualified residents and vehicles associated with the permit parking area. The default permit allocation structure is intended to balance residential parking access with available on-street parking supply while recognizing differences in household size and parking demand associated with dwelling unit size. 2026-08-12 Item #08G - Updated 08/10/2026 Page 6 of 48
Residential Parking Permits
• Permits are issued annually and apply only within the designated permit area. • Permits automatically terminate if the resident no longer resides in the permit area. • Permits are non-transferable between individuals or vehicles.
Eligibility Requirements
• Applicants must provide:
o Proof of residency
o Valid driver’s license
o Vehicle registration
o Applicable fees.
• Temporary permits may be issued for borrowed or rental vehicles. • Oversized vehicles, trailers, and commercial vehicles registered to business addresses are not eligible for permits.
Default Residential Permit Allocation
• Unless modified by Council resolution, default permit limits per dwelling unit are:
o One-bedroom units: 1 permit
o Two- to three-bedroom units: 2 permits
o Four or more bedrooms: 3 permits.
Guest and Event Parking Permits
This section of the program clarifies the specifications associated with guest and special event permits. Guest permits are intended to provide flexibility for residents to accommodate visitors while establishing reasonable limits that prevent long-term misuse of guest parking privileges.
Event permits are intended to accommodate occasional larger residential gatherings while maintaining oversight to minimize parking impacts on surrounding neighborhoods.
Guest Parking Permits
• Residents may apply for temporary Guest Parking Permits for visitors. • Default limits include:
o Two guest permits per day.
o Up to 60 daily guest permits annually.
o Maximum use of ten guest permits per month.
Event Parking Permits
• Residents hosting events may request:
o Up to 15 one-day Event Parking Permits.
o Up to three times per calendar year.
• Event permits:
o Require approval from the Parking Program Manager or City Traffic Engineer.
o Must include verified license plates.
o Do not count toward the annual guest permit allotment. 2026-08-12 Item #08G - Updated 08/10/2026 Page 7 of 48
Good Neighbor Policy
This section clarifies provisions added to assure community character is maintained and support minimizing parking impact to neighborhood. The Good Neighbor Policy is intended to promote courteous parking behavior, reduce neighborhood conflicts, and reinforce that participation in the permit parking program carries shared community responsibilities in addition to parking privileges.
The provision related to “unbundled parking” is intended to discourage situations where onsite private parking is intentionally priced higher than public permit parking in a manner that could shift parking demand from private developments onto public streets. • Residents participating in the permit program must agree to a Good Neighbor Policy intended to promote neighborhood compatibility and respectful parking behavior. • Requirements include:
o No blocking of driveways or ramps.
o Compliance with noise regulations.
o No double parking.
o No parking on dirt or landscaped areas.
o Proper handling of waste containers.
o Courtesy among neighbors.
• Residential properties with separately leased onsite parking (“unbundled parking”) costing more than permit parking may not qualify for the program.
Enforcement and Penalties
These enforcement provisions are intended to protect the integrity of the permit parking program, discourage misuse and fraud, and ensure fair and consistent compliance with permit parking regulations. The revocation provisions provide the City with administrative tools to address repeated violations while preserving due process protections through established appeal procedures.
Violations
• The ordinance establishes enforcement provisions for:
o Fraudulent permit applications.
o Counterfeit permits.
o Misuse or transfer of permits.
o Unauthorized use of permits.
o Violations of Good Neighbor Policy requirements.
Revocation Authority
• The City Manager or Parking Program Manager may revoke permits or future eligibility for violations.
• Permit revocations are subject to appeal procedures under Chapter 1.12 of the Municipal Code.
In summary, the proposed ordinance establishes a flexible framework for implementing Residential Permit Parking Areas citywide.
The program is designed to:
• Improve parking access for residents.
• Reduce neighborhood congestion.
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DIXON RESOURCES UNLIMITED | i
Residential
Parking
Action
Plan
City of Encinitas, CA
April 2025
ATTACHMENT 1
2026-08-12 Item #08G - Updated 08/10/2026 Page 9 of 48
DIXON RESOURCES UNLIMITED | ii
City of Encinitas
Residential Parking Action Plan
Prepared by Dixon Resources Unlimited
on behalf of the City of Encinitas, CA
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Contents
Introduction ....................................................................................................................1 Executive Summary..........................................................................................................................1 Study Overview.............................................................................................................................1 Existing Conditions Assessment......................................................................................2 Permit Program Background...........................................................................................................2 Site Assessments ..........................................................................................................................3 Community Outreach ......................................................................................................3 Community Meetings ......................................................................................................................3 Online Survey ...................................................................................................................................4 Recommendations ..........................................................................................................4 Near-term..........................................................................................................................................4 Mid-term......................................................................................................................................... 17 Long-term ...................................................................................................................................... 19 Conclusion.....................................................................................................................20 2026-08-12 Item #08G - Updated 08/10/2026 Page 11 of 48 DIXON RESOURCES UNLIMITED | iv
Figures
Figure 1. Permit Rate Analysis.......................................................................................................... 10 Figure 2. Recommended Escalating Rate Model.......................................................................... 11 Figure 3. ParkSL Brand...................................................................................................................... 15 Figure 4. City of Anaheim Permit Flowchart................................................................................... 16 Definitions
• California Vehicle Code (CVC) – Statutes relating to the operation, ownership, and registration of vehicles in the state of California.
• Commercial Vehicle – A motor vehicle of a type required to be registered under [the CVC] used or maintained for the transportation of persons for hire, compensation, or profit or designed, used or maintained primarily for the transportation of property. • Commuter Vehicle – A motor vehicle parked in a residential area which is not owned, leased, or otherwise controlled by a resident who lives in the area designated as residential parking permit zone.
• Gap Management – The process of evaluating parking enforcement staff effectiveness by analyzing parking citation issuance trends, identifying gaps in issuance, and accounting for all time spent in the field. • Guest – Any visitor who exercises short-term residential occupancy, or is entitled to short-term residential occupancy, by reason of concession, permit, right of access, license, or other agreement for a period of less than one month. • License Plate Recognition (LPR) Technology – Vehicle scanning technology that detects license plates as related to potential parking infractions. • Micro-mobility – A category of light-weight transportation designed for individual use. Examples of micro-mobility technology include electronic scooters and bikes. • Oversized Vehicle - Any vehicle that exceeds 25 feet in length, or exceeds 80 inches in width, or exceeds 82 inches in height. An oversized vehicle does not include pickup trucks that are less than 25 feet in length and 82 inches in height. • Resident – A person owning, leasing, or residing in a dwelling unit in a residential parking permit zone.
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Introduction
Executive Summary
Dixon Resources Unlimited (DIXON) was contracted by the City of Encinitas (City) to undergo an in-depth analysis of the City’s existing municipal codes and current parking permit program to provide guidance for the future of residential permit parking in Encinitas. DIXON is a uniquely qualified firm that specializes in identifying and implementing operations and management recommendations that can scale with the City’s permit parking program over time in a comprehensive and equitable way.
Study Overview
DIXON has been working with the City since January of 2024 to provide recommendations regarding the structure of the Residential Parking Permit (RPP) program within the City to creatively address parking congestion, parking availability, resident needs, and other existing conditions in Encinitas neighborhoods. DIXON and City staff consistently met throughout the duration of the project to provide key updates and maintain transparency as questions and potential recommendations were developed.
This Parking Action Plan (PAP) identifies policies, procedures, and strategies necessary to address the City’s current and future residential parking needs. The City is encouraged to adjust the implementation approach as needed to best fit the ever-changing needs of the community.
Guiding Principles
The following parking management guiding principles are established by this PAP:
1. Equitable: Develop equitable programs that appropriately balance the parking needs of all residents, businesses, and visitors, while enabling the on-street parking supply to serve the community fairly and enhance access for all.
2. Sustainable: Implement financially sustainable strategies that modernize and streamline parking program management.
3. Efficient: Create an efficient and adaptable parking system that is optimized for the City’s current needs but can be incrementally adjusted over time.
4. Promotion of Quality of Life: Promote the quality of life in residential neighborhoods by implementing a standardized process that is designed to improve the availability, accessibility, and convenience of the overall parking experience. Such standards aim to reduce parking congestion and associated issues such as noise, litter, traffic hazards, and illegal activities.
Project Overview
• The project included a public outreach phase that engaged residents of Encinitas in an in-person environment, while providing support in both English and Spanish languages to maximize feedback from community members.
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• A survey was issued in both English and Spanish that allowed residents to offer key insights to their parking challenges and experiences.
• Onsite assessments were completed by visiting the existing RPP zones in Encinitas neighborhoods to thoroughly evaluate existing parking conditions. • Similar cities were reviewed, assessed, and compared to that of Encinitas’ current RPP program to understand how the City compares to nearby local jurisdictions. • Upon completion of the public outreach phases, site assessments, and comprehensive background and research tasks, a list of actionable recommendations was developed that will aim to improve the residential parking experience in Encinitas.
Existing Conditions Assessment
Permit Program Background
The residential parking permit (RPP) program was first established in 1998, primarily as a response to spillover parking impacts from the Scripps Encinitas Hospital located on Santa Fe Drive, which established permit parking Zone A during the hours of 8:00am – 5:00pm on the west side of Devonshire Drive. This aimed to combat the number of vehicles that were parking for extended periods of time during weekday work hours, which adversely affected the nearby residential area.
In response to the initial commercial spillover impacts, the RPP program has since evolved to include residential areas that are comprised of single-family homes located near multi-unit dwellings. These neighborhoods have experienced increased parking demand from new housing developments that provide little to no parking on-site for incoming residents. Zone B and Zone C were introduced between 2015 and 2019, respectively, and they are located adjacent to one another as they were implemented to alleviate on-street parking concerns between single family homes and the apartment complexes located on Seacrest Way. The fourth and most recent RPP zone, Zone D, was established in 2021 on Via Molena as a means to preserve on-street parking for single-family homes located near large multi-unit dwellings.
Under the current program, residents receive physical parking permits which are placed on the vehicle’s windshield. The City charges a $5.00 fee for parking permits that are valid indefinitely, and a maximum number of permits per household does not currently exist. There are costs associated with operating the program such as staff time, customer service, enforcement resources, and establishing a permit parking area that are important to consider.
A priority objective of this PAP is to align the RPP program with the 2016 California Attorney General’s opinion (#14-304) and develop an equitable solution that serves the needs of all Encinitas residents. The Attorney General’s opinion states, “In issuing long-term residential parking permits, local authorities may not distinguish among residents based on the type of dwelling in which they live”.
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Site Assessments
On-site assessments were completed that aligned with visits to Encinitas during the in-person community meetings and the ride-along with City staff.
• The initial assessment took place on February 7, 2024, in which the existing parking conditions within each existing RPP zone were evaluated during the early afternoon in order to understand the physical layout of each neighborhood. • Subsequently, following the in-person community meeting on March 11, 2024, the study area was reassessed between 8:00pm and 9:00pm to evaluate parking congestion during the evening hours.
Community Outreach
Community outreach and public engagement are important project elements. Input from internal City staff and community stakeholders helped guide the development of these draft recommendations. To continue to understand resident needs and align the implementation approach with evolving needs, City staff plans to continue to conduct public outreach and community engagement in an ongoing manner. The engagement does not end with this project, and City staff recognize the importance of ongoing communication with the community throughout an incremental and adaptive implementation process.
Community Meetings
During the study period, an in-person community meeting took place on March 11, 2024, in which approximately 70-80 residents participated to discuss their experiences and challenges with parking in their neighborhoods. Each resident was given the opportunity to voice their feedback and concerns, in which their responses were recorded and considered during the draft recommendation process. A Spanish interpreter was also in attendance to provide an accessible service that allowed all residents the opportunity to participate.
A second in-person community meeting was hosted on July 29, 2024 to present the initial round of draft recommendations to the community and collect a second round of public feedback. Approximately 30-40 attendees were present during this meeting wherein DIXON provided a high-level review of the survey results and discussed the initial round of recommendations with community members. The community provided valuable feedback, and each suggestion has been taken into consideration as it relates to this report.
Community members provided valuable insight into their parking experiences within their neighborhoods. Based on feedback from the community meetings, the majority of residents voiced their support for the RPP program and have encouraged the City to refine the municipal code in order to clearly establish how the future of the program will operate.
Maintaining their existing level of “quality of life” was of great importance to many residents and should be taken into consideration with each recommendation. Much of the community is well-informed of the operation of RPP programs, and many residents largely communicated that they are receptive to the strategies that the City is looking to pursue to enhance the wellbeing of their neighborhoods. 2026-08-12 Item #08G - Updated 08/10/2026 Page 15 of 48 DIXON RESOURCES UNLIMITED | 4
On August 5, 2024, DIXON presented the initial round of recommendations to the Mobility and Traffic Safety Commission for feedback and consideration. A constructive dialogue between the Commissioners, community, and DIXON was held, and suggestions from each Commissioner have been notated and considered within this report.
On November 7, 2024, DIXON presented updated recommendations to the Planning Commission for feedback and consideration, and suggestions from the Commission and the community have been notated and considered within this report.
Online Survey
Another key component to the community outreach process was an online survey allowing residents to identify challenges and potential solutions in their community related to parking.
The survey was open from March 25, 2024, to May 3, 2024, and received a total of 612 responses between the English and Spanish versions. Refer to the attached Appendix A for the full set of results.
Recommendations
The following recommendations take into consideration field observations from the on-site assessment, community feedback, correspondence with City staff, and industry best practices.
Each recommendation is organized by phase with implementation steps and suggested follow-up actions or considerations.
These recommendations are meant to address current and long-term residential parking challenges specific to the RPP program within the City of Encinitas. Implementing the initial phase of these recommendations will provide immediate parking management benefits and establish a baseline for future improvements. Recommended timelines are meant to be realistic and achievable.
Recommendations are organized within estimated near-term (1-2 years), mid-term (3-5 years), and long-term (6+ years) timeframes. However, actual timelines will be dependent on City Council prioritization, stakeholder feedback, funding availability, and the ongoing evaluation of initial implementation steps. The City is encouraged to adjust the implementation approach as needed in response to evolving needs and priorities.
Near-term
Recommendations Equitable Sustainable Efficient
1 Clarify the Intent of the RPP Program. ✓ ✓ ✓
2 Establish right-sized permit zones. ✓ ✓ ✓
3 Revise RPP petitioning and occupancy study
guidelines. ✓ ✓ ✓
4 Revise RPP program administrative policies. ✓ ✓ ✓
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5 Activate new permit parking zones. ✓ ✓ ✓
6 Introduce escalating rate structure to permit fees. ✓ ✓ ✓ 7 Implement an automated permit management
system (PMS). ✓ ✓ ✓
8 Outsource enforcement for RPP program
management. ✓ ✓ ✓
9 Consider future adjustments to enforcement
staffing. ✓ ✓ ✓
10 Enhance program branding and marketing. ✓ ✓ ✓
Recommendation 1: Clarify the Intent of the RPP Program.
The original intent of the RPP program was to safeguard single-family home neighborhoods from spillover parking demand from nearby multi-family properties. A primary concern expressed by residents is the desire to maintain and enhance single-family residential neighborhoods’ “quality of life” by reducing noise, parking congestion, traffic hazards, environmental pollution, and illegal activities. Refining the rubric of eligibility that determines how and where to establish permit parking zones would aim to accomplish this by limiting the number of street parked vehicles on a residential block within a permit parking district.
Currently, there are four RPP zones that have been established within the boundaries of Encinitas. Zone A is located on the west side of Devonshire, next to the Scripps Encinitas Hospital. Zones B and C are located adjacent to one another, wherein Zone B is comprised of single-family homes and Zone C consists of multi-unit dwellings. Zone D is located on Via Molena, where single-family homes are included in the same zone as multi-unit properties.
Where spillover parking impacts are a concern for the on-street parking supply within these zones, it is essential that all dwelling types are afforded the same opportunity to apply for and participate in an RPP program.
A priority goal of this PAP is to align the RPP program with the 2016 California Attorney General’s opinion (#14-304) and develop an equitable solution that serves the needs of all Encinitas residents. The Attorney General’s opinion states, “In issuing long-term residential parking permits, local authorities may not distinguish among residents based on the type of dwelling in which they live”. Therefore, the City should not allow the program to be used to safeguard on-street parking exclusively for single-family neighborhoods.
Clarify the Intent of the Program
It is recommended that the City clarify the intent of the RPP program to address the evolution of the parking impacts in Encinitas as the city continues to grow. The City should consider introducing RPP zones in neighborhoods experiencing parking demand and the intent of the program should simply be to safeguard access for Encinitas residents and their guests.
Parking demand includes impacts from commercial areas, residential development, neighboring cities, schools, and recreational facilities. The four existing RPP zones will be grandfathered into the updated program.
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In order to align with the California Attorney General’s opinion (#14-304), all City residents should be eligible to participate in the application process for new zones. This means all residential zoning districts should be eligible for an RPP zone (assuming the other requirements for the application, petition, and evaluation are also met).
Recommendation 2: Establish right-sized permit zones.
Under the current program guidelines, the City evaluates RPP program applications on a case-by-case basis, as pursued by interested residents. The City should expand the minimum size requirement of RPP zones to leverage a neighborhood permit zone system that will avoid pushing the parking issues from one block to the next. This means that the City should only consider adding a new RPP zone with a collection of streets that amount to a “neighborhood permit zone.” Single blocks that are immediately adjacent to an existing RPP zone could still be added to the existing zone by expanding the boundaries.
Surround the Problem Area
A larger minimum RPP zone size should be utilized to improve the effectiveness of the policies. Rather than establishing permit parking restrictions on an individual street or portions of streets, the City should only consider implementing new restrictions on a collection of streets. The inclusion of multiple blocks will help avoid pushing parking congestion to adjacent streets by fully surrounding the most heavily impacted area. The goal should be to cover an entire neighborhood or subarea, including both single and multi-family homes, and generally provide residents parking opportunities within a reasonable walking distance.
Establish Size Requirements
When initiating a neighborhood petition for a new permit zone, residents should consult with City staff regarding the minimum number of streets or blocks to be included. In most cases, a minimum of 1,500 feet (both sides of the street included) rounded to the end of the next street should be considered to establish a new standalone RPP zone. That is approximately the length of four standard city blocks.
This approach is recommended since smaller zones likely do not provide enough coverage to effectively address the parking impacts. This requirement would not apply to applicants attempting to join an existing neighboring permit zone.
Recommendation 3: Revise RPP petitioning and occupancy study guidelines.
The City should continue to require a petition for new permit zones. However, the City of Encinitas municipal code currently does not include language that explains how interested residents are supposed to apply for an RPP zone in their neighborhood. It is recommended that for proposed permit parking zones, the updated program should require a resident petition to be signed by 51 percent or more households in support of implementing the restriction.
Clarify the Petition Rules for Multi-family Properties
In rental complexes, the residents, property managers, and property owners should all be allowed to participate in the petition survey. One signature per residence could be used to indicate support for that address, which would contribute to the overall 51 percent threshold. 2026-08-12 Item #08G - Updated 08/10/2026 Page 18 of 48 DIXON RESOURCES UNLIMITED | 7
If the units in a multi-family property are individually owned, each owner would have the opportunity to vote. If the units in a multi-family are owned by one specific owner, the owner should give the initial approval for the residents within the development to participate in the survey.
Optimize Occupancy Studies
The petition should subsequently be followed by a parking occupancy study to evaluate whether permit restrictions are needed.
It is also important to consider when the occupancy studies are conducted. The City should collect data depending on the requested needs of each zone which could take place in the evening and early morning for an overnight parking permit zone, or during the morning and daytime, consistent with the establishment of daytime permit parking zone.
The City should continue to require an on-street parking occupancy threshold between 70 to 80 percent for evaluating whether to establish a new RPP zone. Once parking reaches the threshold occupied within a neighborhood, it may become challenging for residents to find convenient on-street parking, which can justify the need for permit restrictions. The occupancy threshold should be used as a measure to determine the appropriate boundaries and operating times for the new permit zone.
Currently, the occupancy studies consider each street on an individual basis. When establishing neighborhood permit zones with multiple blocks (see recommendation #2), not every street should be required to reach the required occupancy threshold individually to be included within the zone. Instead, the City should evaluate the collection of blocks to determine if the proposed boundaries are right-sized to address the impacts.
For a street to join an existing permit zone, the street should follow the existing process that evaluates the applicable street individually. The residents should continue to provide a petition with support from 51 percent of residents on that street, and an occupancy study should show that parking occupancy is over the threshold.
Removing a Zone
To remove a residential parking restriction including those established with the revised RPP program, residents should continue to be required to follow the existing petitioning process and 51 percent of residents should support removing the restriction for it to be considered. A parking occupancy study should not be required, but notification should be given to all surrounding permit zone residents. In deciding to remove permit parking from a single street, staff should carefully take into consideration the surrounding area and permit zone. A street where the majority of surrounding streets (50 percent or more) are included in the permit zone should not be considered for removal because of the spillover parking risk.
Evaluating Future Adjustments
A separate parking occupancy threshold should be established to evaluate future policy changes within RPP zones once they have already been established. These adjustments can be triggered and further evaluated by another petition initiated by interested residents. 2026-08-12 Item #08G - Updated 08/10/2026 Page 19 of 48 DIXON RESOURCES UNLIMITED | 8
The parking industry standard for the target parking occupancy rate is 85 percent. At this rate, there are enough vacant parking spaces to minimize congestion from drivers searching for spaces. The City should use the 85 percent rate as a high threshold for when to consider program adjustments in existing zones. If an established permit zone is found to regularly reach or exceed 85 percent occupancy this could indicate the need for policy adjustments (see recommendation #11). For instance, the zone may benefit from a cap on the number of permits allowed per household or adjustments to the operating hours.
Recommendation 4: Revise RPP program administrative policies.
The RPP program should be designed to optimize on-street access for residents and incentivize compliance. Permits should be non-transferable, and strictly associated with the vehicle’s license plate number. This will allow the City to leverage any future automated permit management system for online applications and transition to virtually managed permits, where the vehicle’s license plate is the permit identifier (see recommendation #7).
This will improve efficiency of operating the RPP program for the City, and for the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department who is currently responsible for enforcing RPP compliance.
Prevent Oversized Vehicles
Oversized vehicles, like RVs, vehicles with trailers, or large work trucks should not be eligible to receive parking permits through the RPP program because there are separate considerations related to roadway access with oversized vehicles. However, smaller commercial vehicles and work trucks would still be eligible for RPP permits, assuming they meet all other permit program requirements. Residents with oversized vehicles should be responsible for identifying alternate off-street storage locations, rather than rely on public street parking (see recommendation #5).
Redefine Permit Allocations
The City should limit permits to one permit per eligible resident, with a maximum of up to four permits per household citywide, however some permit zones impacted by multi-family developments could have as little as one permit per household, so that on-street parking will be generally available, and that permits would not be oversold in a zone. Each resident should be required to provide their driver’s license number when applying for their permit, so the City can ensure that each driver receives only one permit. It is recommended that the City incorporate an “override option” specifically for the City Traffic Engineer and/or Permit Parking Program Manager to utilize when considering and reviewing residence and vehicle verification documents during instances in which such verification may be difficult to prove.
With the growing number of people living in each household, there are usually more vehicles needed to support those additional residents. Many residents continue to be reliant on their cars to get to and from work, childcare, and other essential needs. Residents who need to live with multiple roommates or in multi-generational households, should not be penalized for doing so. This being said, the City still needs to manage on-street parking demand. Limiting permits to one per eligible resident simultaneously reduces excess parking demand and provides an equitable solution for residents who are not able to give up their vehicles.
Similar driver’s license requirements are established in the City of Costa Mesa, the City of San Mateo, and the City of Cerritos. Costa Mesa recently took this approach, which requires a 2026-08-12 Item #08G - Updated 08/10/2026 Page 20 of 48 DIXON RESOURCES UNLIMITED | 9
valid driver’s license and limits the number of permits per household at a maximum of four.
San Mateo also requires a current California Department of Motor Vehicle (CADMV) driver’s license for each resident requesting a permit. The City of Cerritos requires that residents use all the parking available on their property prior to applying for an on-street permit. The household can then receive one additional permit for each resident with a driver’s license.
The address listed on a driver’s license and vehicle registration must match the residential address listed on the annual parking permit application.
This type of approach is an opportunity for the City to better manage on-street parking demand. Because a person can only physically drive one vehicle at a time, this program strategy only limits residents who choose to own extra vehicles. Residents would not be eligible for additional permits and would be incentivized to use any on-site parking available to them, rather than rely on on-street parking for storing their extra vehicle(s). Limiting permits to one per eligible resident simultaneously reduces excess parking demand and provides an equitable solution.
Permit Zone Exemptions
It is recommended that the City establish permit zone exemptions for vehicles belonging to service workers and delivery vehicles, allowing them to park on designated streets without a permit. These vehicles should be required to park on the block and within the RPP zone of the residence they are servicing or delivering goods to. This exemption should apply to service personnel, delivery vehicles, emergency vehicles, utility service vehicles, and vehicles for those caring for disabled individuals, or children.
Good Neighbor Policy
The City should consider requiring residents to sign “good neighbor policies” when applying for a parking permit. Good neighbor policies could help guide neighborhood ethos, promote friendly and cooperative interactions, enhance quality of life, and ease residential parking issues.
For example, the City of Anaheim has “good neighbor policies” such as “off-street, on-site parking supply shall be used efficiently for parking. Examples of nonefficient use include:
• “Off-street, on-site parking supply shall be used efficiently for parking. Examples of nonefficient use include not utilizing garage space(s) and driveways for parking.” • “Permit parkers shall be considerate of noise and comply with applicable city noise ordinances.”
• “Permit parkers shall not move solid waste containers in a manner that precludes collection of solid waste, obstructs driveways or other rights of way, or otherwise interferes with vehicular traffic in order to park on a street or portion thereof designated as permit parking only.”
Residents can be required to sign these policies when applying for a permit. This is a valuable opportunity to remind residents that public streets are there to be used by all residents while encouraging them to be courteous and mindful of their neighbors.
Criteria-Specific Hours of Operation
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The City could consider the benefit of restricting operating times based upon peak demand and occupancy in neighborhoods impacted by external demand. For example, if one neighborhood sees an increase in daytime parking from a nearby high school, permit operating hours could be during school hours only such as Monday-Friday 8:00am – 3:00pm.
These adjustments should be considered on a case-by-case basis in neighborhoods impacted by external demand. The City should be careful not to introduce a complicated range of operating times and policies that become difficult to communicate, manage, or enforce. If introduced this strategy would need to be combined with focused enforcement, and if a permit parking restriction is limited to a specific time period, the City would need to allocate staffing resources to enforce the RPP program specifically during that period.
Recommendation 5: Activate new permit parking zones.
Before initiating enforcement of a new residential permit parking zone, the City should consider a policy
requirement that permit zone restrictions are only active upon the installation of signs and 50 percent or more of households have purchased permits. Warning notices
should then be leveraged for first-time violations within the first three months of implementation. The City should continue to follow the three-step industry best practice:
1. Educate; 2. Warn; 3. Enforce.
Enhance Outreach
The City should communicate the new restrictions by posting signs, informing residents by email and/or postcard, and updating the City website and parking landing page (see recommendation #10). In addition to warning notices, the City could also issue informational program flyers to further assist with the outreach and educational process.
Recommendation 6: Introduce escalating rate structure to permit fees.
Currently, the City of Encinitas recovers minimal costs associated with parking permits. For the program to become financially sustainable, and for the City to make investments in modernizing the program, a higher cost should be associated with the permits. The City should increase the existing fee of $5.00 to purchase an annual resident parking permit, with the goal of making the program cost-neutral. It is recommended that the City introduce an escalating permit rate structure starting at $25.00 annually for the first permit. For households with multiple drivers, additional permits should be offered at a higher premium rate (see figure 2 below). This rate structure is similar to the rates in neighboring Southern California cities (see figure 1), which range from $9.00 to $60.00.
Figure 1. Permit Rate Analysis
City # of Permits per Household Resident Parking
Permit Cost
# of Guest Permits
and Cost
Encinitas Unlimited for any/all vehicles
registered to applicant $5.00/per permit Limit of 3 per dwelling unit; Zone 2026-08-12 Item #08G - Updated 08/10/2026 Page 22 of 48 DIXON RESOURCES UNLIMITED | 11
D expires after 30
days.
$5.00/per permit
Anaheim Based on bedroom count; 0-
2= 1 permit; 3-4= 2; 5+= 3 $30.00/per permit
100 per household
per year.
$1/per permit
Hermosa
Beach
Up to 3 parking permits for 1
residential address $60.00/per permit
Limit of 1
guest/transferable
permit per year per
address.
$60.00/per permit
Huntington
Beach
Up to 4 for vehicles registered
to individual address
$24.00/first permit;
$10.00/each
additional permit
Up to 2 guest
passes.
$10.00/per permit
Oceanside
Maximum of 1 permit per
vehicle owned by resident of
eligible dwelling
$15.00/per permit
20 no cost permits
per residence per
calendar year; valid
for maximum of 5
consecutive days.
Free.
San Diego
– Area A
Maximum of 4 per qualifying
address $9.00/per permit
Limit of 1 per
qualifying address.
$9.00/per permit
Seal Beach Based on number of vehicles
registered to address $20.00/per permit
Limit 2 per
household.
$30.00/per permit
Figure 2. Recommended Escalating Rate Model
To ensure that permits remain affordable, the City should offer a discounted rate to qualifying low-income residents. This option should be available in conjunction with the recommended increase in permit fees. This program should be aligned with other low-income qualifying programs provided by the City. For instance, if there are low-income recreation program fee waivers, the City can piggyback off those program guidelines, or use the same criteria as used for customers who wish to enter into a citation payment plan for low-income persons.
Encourage Off-Street Parking
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A permit fee will incentivize residents to first use the parking that is available on their property (if they have the option), before opting to purchase a parking permit. The premium rate for extra permits could discourage households from excessively purchasing permits. This way, households that need additional permits will have the flexibility to purchase additional permits as needed, but they will have to pay a premium. Additionally, the permit fee and escalating rate model can be increased if needed based on demand (see recommendation #3).
Fees should be reviewed annually to determine whether the City’s costs are being recovered and whether the cost structure is effective at discouraging excessive permits. The City could opt to adjust the fees each year based on the local CPI, but the first two factors also must be considered. The City must also consider the cost of providing ongoing enforcement to provide enough consistency and coverage to encourage compliance.
Guest Permits
It is recommended that the City continue to charge for guest permits at the small fee of $5.00 to encourage cost recovery for the administration of the program, with the notable update of limiting eligible households to two guest permits for one or two bedrooms, and three guest permits for three or more bedrooms. The duration of each permit should be 14 days and can be easily managed through an automated permit management system (see recommendation #7). The City should also consider options for repeat visitors, including medical and child caregivers into the program.
Alternatively, some cities provide annual guest permits that can be reused for multiple guests, rather than single-day passes (see recommendation #7 for an evaluation of this option). If the City were to transition to annual guest permits, the City should charge the same annual fee and utilize the escalating rate structure for guest permits as they do annual permits.
Otherwise, residents would likely try to abuse the system by utilizing their discounted guest permit rather than the annual permit.
Private Development Permit Pricing as related to City Permit Pricing The pricing of parking permits can vary significantly between private developments and citymanaged parking systems, reflecting different priorities and economic considerations. In private developments, such as residential complexes or commercial properties, permit pricing is often influenced by factors such as the cost of maintaining private parking facilities, the level of demand from tenants or employees, and the desire to balance exclusivity with affordability. These permits might be priced higher to cover maintenance costs or to ensure that parking remains available to residents or employees without burdening the property owner.
Conversely, city-managed parking permits are typically designed to address broader public needs and can be influenced by city budgets, local regulations, and public efforts to manage overall parking demand. City pricing strategies often aim to balance accessibility for all residents and visitors while mitigating congestion and encouraging the use of alternative transportation options. While private development permit pricing tends to reflect individual property concerns, city permit pricing is more likely to be shaped by public policy goals and broader urban planning objectives.
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Recommendation 7: Implement an automated permit management system.
Automate Permit Management
For efficiency, the City should implement a parking-specific automated permit management system (PMS) where the users license plate number is their permit. The automated PMS must be integrated with the City’s existing citation management (see recommendation #9) and enforcement systems, which is currently managed by Niche RMS.
A parking PMS and online portal will allow residents to self-manage and create an account, apply for a permit, upload supporting documentation, purchase, add/change/remove vehicles, and make edits to contact information, etc. The City will have the ability to review pending applications, review supporting documentation, approve/deny applications, send notifications and alerts, run reports, etc. The PMS will automate the annual renewal process by sending notices, having customers log in, make updates to vehicles, reconfirm residency, and collect payments. The automated PMS and online portal will also assist in the transition to license plate-based permits, which would contribute to overall program efficiency by eliminating the use of physical permits.
Recommendation 8: Outsource enforcement for RPP program management.
Outsourcing enforcement for the management of RPP programs consistently demonstrates significant annual cost savings to agencies that participate, and it provides an increased level of service and consistent application of the parking regulations that had not been supported by their internal resources. With an outsourced RPP management program, the City would provide oversight and audit control of the parking enforcement operation including frequent meetings with program managers and regularly scheduled audits to ensure the productivity, efficiency, and service levels of the vendor.
Several California cities have successfully supported outsourced parking enforcement service agreements including Palo Alto, San Leandro, West Hollywood, Pasadena, Alhambra, and Newport Beach. Typically, services are procured through a standard Request for Proposals (RFP) process identifying the type of parking enforcement support services needed. • The City of Palo Alto implemented a residential parking permit program that is enforced by supplemental parking enforcement support services. A three-year contract was awarded for $1.5M to enforce the program and it has since been extended. The vendor provides bicycles and enforcement vehicles, and the City provides the enforcement handhelds.
Summary of Services
An enforcement contractor would provide the personnel and expertise to act as or supplement the City’s parking enforcement effort currently managed by the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department. The contractor would provide the following core personnel dedicated to the agency’s enforcement operations:
• Parking Enforcement Officers (PEOs) to patrol designated routes; issue warnings, citations, towing requests (as enabled by the municipal code); and answer questions that may be asked by a member of the public.
• An onsite Supervisor to manage and schedule the PEOs. 2026-08-12 Item #08G - Updated 08/10/2026 Page 25 of 48 DIXON RESOURCES UNLIMITED | 14
In order to perform the services, the contracted enforcement team requires access to various equipment and workplace items. The following is a list of additional services that can be requested from an enforcement contractor, or can be provided by the City:
• Enforcement vehicles, including the lease, fuel, auto insurance, parking, and auto maintenance
• Uniforms
• Office space and supplies, including desks, computers, and internet access • Communication devices such as cell phones, including voice and data plans • License Plate Recognition (LPR) equipment, including software and support • Cash collection and counting
• Routine maintenance
Typically, the contractor bills would bill their client monthly with an invoice that indicates the number of hours of labor per role at the agreed-upon hourly rate, as well as a fixed monthly fee that covers all other service expenses.
Benefits of Outsourcing
• Reduced staff involvement – Once a PMS vendor has been onboarded, the Sheriff’s Department North Coastal office will see increased resource availability as it will require significantly less staff time to execute the program. The Sheriff’s Department will shift into the role of overseeing the vendor and the program as opposed to executing it, saving money and time.
• Benefit from industry best practices – The City can utilize this recommendation to evaluate PMS vendors currently leading the market and benefit from the latest technology and features. The selected vendor will continue to improve its equipment, products, and processes so that the City can benefit from process improvements without having to expend additional strategic focus itself. • Improve customer service – A dedicated vendor can interact with customers for their support inquiries, reducing the burden on the City and Sheriff’s Department to answer questions or review comments. Users of the software will also enjoy the flexibility and convenience of managing their citations and permits themselves online (see recommendation #6). While the in-person and phone-based servicing can remain, an online self-service portal is attractive to many technologically adept users and can encourage more on-time citation payment.
• Immediate alignment to state legislation – The vendor needs to be compliant with the California Vehicle Code and any applicable state or municipal legislation. Outsourcing gives the City peace of mind that they do not have to track any state legislation changes as closely since it is the expectation and responsibility of the vendor to ensure compliance.
• Centralized information system – With services like data entry, automatic identification of drivers, real-time integrations with the DMV, etc., staff will have a much larger picture concerning the parker profile at their fingertips to benefit recordkeeping. • One-stop shop – Outsourcing RPP program management means sourcing a one-stop shop type of vendor to provide for all of the City’s needs. As vendors tend to include noticing and other executional procedures, the City can save time and money by 2026-08-12 Item #08G - Updated 08/10/2026 Page 26 of 48 DIXON RESOURCES UNLIMITED | 15
allowing the vendor—which also benefits from operating at scale—to execute a number of the more menial, day-to-day tasks for citation and permit management.
Recommendation 9: Consider future adjustments to enforcement coverage.
Parking enforcement was a common concern of residents in the community meetings and the online survey. Residents expressed a desire for increased residential parking enforcement coverage to manage parking permit restrictions To increase the quality of customer service and to be responsive to these concerns, the City should consider the staffing or contracting requirements necessary to effectively monitor parking in residential areas and promote compliance. Parking programs and restrictions are only effective if they are followed so consistent parking enforcement is critical. As recommendations are implemented, the City should monitor the effectiveness of parking enforcement staffing or contracting levels and consider allocating additional resources (see recommendation #8).
Gap Management
Parking enforcement officer productivity is not, and should never be, based upon a quota or the number of citations issued. Consistent enforcement in some cases will reduce the frequency of citations issued over time due to an increase in compliance. Instead, productivity should be measured and monitored using Gap Management strategies. Gap Management is the process of analyzing citation issuance trends, identifying gaps in issuance, and accounting for time spent in the field. License plate recognition (LPR) and citation issuance handheld devices also provide GPS location data which should be monitored to confirm coverage and assigned routes or zones.
Recommendation 10: Enhance program branding and marketing.
Centralize Information
The City should leverage the Residential Parking Permits webpage as a landing page that functions as a one-stop-shop for all things parking in Encinitas. This landing page should be an information hub for parking that includes links to the site to purchase permits, pay for parking citations, and any other parking actions necessary to support the City’s parking programs. The webpage should include a summary of frequently asked questions (FAQs) relating to parking, policies, procedures, and other information that is often discussed, and a “news” section of the page where the most recent changes are summarized. Staff should review the webpage and destination links regularly, to ensure the information remains up-todate and reflects any recent changes in policies, ordinances, or fees.
Additionally, the City should consider
developing a parking and mobility brand. A
brand can maximize ongoing exposure and
familiarity with the City’s parking programs, and
there is an opportunity to incorporate the brand
along with a website landing page. The parking
brand should be designed to help to make
parking easy, convenient, and accessible. For
example, the ParkSL website for San Leandro, CA
is pictured in Figure 3.
Figure 3. ParkSL Brand
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Communicate Processes
The City should develop a visual
representation of the process new permit
zone petitions will need to go through
prior to being implemented. As shown in
Figure 4, the City of Anaheim utilizes a
simple flowchart graphic to the required
steps to implement a new permit zone.
Whenever possible, the policies,
guidelines, and rules for the RPP program
should be represented graphically and
communicated clearly and concisely. Any
materials, documentation, or graphics
created should be produced in both
English and Spanish.
[SPACE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
Figure 4. City of Anaheim Permit Flowchart
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Mid-term
Recommendations Equitable Sustainable Efficient
11 Progressive data collection and program
evaluation. ✓ ✓ ✓
12 Promote and enhance mode alternatives. ✓ ✓ ✓
13 Consider future developers’ role in
implementation and management of new RPP
zones.
✓ ✓ ✓
Recommendation 11: Progressive data collection and program evaluation.
Evaluate Programs and Policies
As recommendations are implemented, and new policies are put into place, the City should continuously evaluate the effectiveness of the permit program and policies. Ongoing data collection and evaluation will be essential to ensuring the program adapts to best fit the needs of the community. Should the City choose to outsource enforcement of the RPP program (see recommendation #8), license plate recognition (LPR) technology can be used to improve overall enforcement efficiency and coverage, especially once the City transitions to virtual license plate-based permits (see recommendation #7). If enforcement of the program is not outsourced, manual observations can also be conducted for data collection purposes.
Rather than reacting to perceptions, parking demand management strategies are most effective when changes are made incrementally based on data. Primarily, the City should evaluate if the RPP program hours of operation should be adjusted. If occupancy is only over the 80 percent threshold in the overnight or evening hours, a 24-hour program is likely not necessary. The City should evaluate the effectiveness of the RPP program to manage parking demand and determine if program adjustments are needed.
Recommendation 12: Promote and enhance mode alternatives.
While residential vehicle parking is the primary focus of this report, it is also important to acknowledge how encouraging the use of alternative modes is better for the environment and reduces roadway congestion. Access to alternative transportation could also offset car ownership, and therefore offset parking demand. For those that are capable, walking should be encouraged. It is a healthy, convenient option that can be further enhanced with some improvements.
Mitigate Parking Demand
Promotion of alternative transportation modes can help residents understand the options available other than driving alone. Encouraging residents to utilize other modes of transportation can relieve some commercial parking pressure, as well as help reduce overall roadway congestion.
Enhance Pedestrian Safety
The City should evaluate ways to improve walkability and enhance pedestrian infrastructure.
Improvements are most important in areas where walking is a viable option to access goods 2026-08-12 Item #08G - Updated 08/10/2026 Page 29 of 48 DIXON RESOURCES UNLIMITED | 18
and services. Locations within a reasonable distance to destinations such as transit stops, schools, libraries, hospitals, medical clinics, community centers, commercial areas, and public parks should be prioritized. To improve safety, the City should evaluate the current level of residential street lighting, and improve visibility as needed, particularly in high-density areas where parking demand and occupancy rates are high.
The City should consider sidewalk enhancements and the feasibly of adding new sidewalks in neighborhoods that have missing segments. Improvements to street lighting and sidewalks would benefit residents who rely on street parking that have to walk a few blocks to and from their vehicles.
To maximize on-street parking supply the City should consider residential parking design elements that make efficient use of the existing right-of-way. In high-density areas where parking demand and occupancy rates are high, the City should consider marking spaces onstreet. This can help prevent vehicles from parking improperly, saving spaces, and blocking driveways. Additionally, the City should consider implementing angled parking in any areas where street width and design allows.
Recommendation 13: Consider future developers’ role in implementation and management of new RPP zones.
As development and future growth continues to impact cities like Encinitas, it is becoming increasingly common for developers to not be required to provide on-site parking. Recent state legislation in California has been passed in an attempt to combat the housing crisis, increase housing affordability, and encourage the use of alternative modes of transportation by eliminating parking minimums.
• Senate Bill 10 enables cities to authorize construction of up to ten units on a single parcel without requiring an environmental review, meaning multi-unit dwellings may be developed without providing on-site parking.
• Assembly Bill 68 allows homeowners to convert their garage into an accessory dwelling unit (ADU).
• Assembly Bill 2097 prohibits cities from imposing parking minimums within a half mile of a major transit stop as an attempt to increase housing supply and utilization of transit. However, there is no regard for whether a location is truly walkable.
As developers are no longer required to provide parking on their properties, it is recommended that the City consider various conditions in how this will affect new RPP zones:
• One condition is that if a development is planned adjacent to an existing RPP zone with no on-site parking, the developer would have to fund the cost to implement and manage an adjacent RPP program for a determined amount of time as set forth by the City.
• Another condition is that if a development is planned that includes on-site parking adjacent to an existing RPP zone, the development would be required to charge the same amount for on-site parking for any additional vehicles as the existing RPP zone. 2026-08-12 Item #08G - Updated 08/10/2026 Page 30 of 48 DIXON RESOURCES UNLIMITED | 19
The City should consider this recommendation in conjunction with the City Attorney and Planning Commission to determine the legality and regulations of the City’s policies and procedures.
Long-term
Recommendations Equitable Sustainable Efficient
14 Consider a fee for RPP program applications. ✓ ✓ ✓
15 Evaluate pilot opportunities to reduce vehicle
ownership. ✓ ✓ ✓
Recommendation 14: Consider a fee for RPP program applications.
The City should consider introducing a fee associated with the petition submitted by residents for the installation of a new RPP zone. This is a common practice in similar Southern California cities like Anaheim, Stanton, and Orange, which charge $500, $660, and $2,500 (respectively). This fee should be associated with the cost recovery from staff time needed to process a new permit parking restriction petition from residents.
Define the Fee
In order to assure the program is accessible to all neighborhoods, the fee should be kept reasonable in order to not prohibit access. The fee can be further mitigated by using automated tools for the process. $500 should be considered as an introductory fee range, but further staff time and cost recovery analysis should be conducted to determine the most appropriate starting fee. Alternatively, the fee could be based on the number of households in the proposed permit zone, such as $5 per residence.
Recommendation 15: Evaluate pilot opportunities to reduce vehicle ownership.
Evaluate Opportunities
New technologies may allow the City to encourage residents to own fewer vehicles. As these technologies are developed, the City should evaluate pilot opportunities with the technology providers, like car-share companies and micro-transit services.
Encourage Car-Sharing
The City could consider requiring new multi-family housing developments to provide a certain number of car-share vehicles on-site, which may provide the opportunity for residents to not own a vehicle. For instance, a family may be more confident not owning a vehicle or only owning one vehicle if they know vehicles are available in their complex for unexpected needs.
A car-share pilot program could reduce the rate of individual car ownership per household, the average number of vehicle miles traveled (VMT) per household, and the total amount of automobile-generated pollution per household. Studies by the University of California, Berkeley, suggest that 9 to 13 personal vehicles are removed from the road for each carsharing vehicle. 2026-08-12 Item #08G - Updated 08/10/2026 Page 31 of 48 DIXON RESOURCES UNLIMITED | 20
Conclusion
The City of Encinitas has several opportunities to consider as the Residential Parking Permit program is updated to serve the current and future needs of the community. This Parking Action Plan acts as a menu of options that the City may select from in order to best customize the program in an equitable, sustainable fashion. Each recommendation is intended to serve as a guideline to assist the City in making decisions to improve the program. Encinitas is a unique community that will benefit from the updates to its municipal code, improved permit management and enforcement, and organized instructions that will help guide the City and its residents in the process of applying for and establishing RPP zones in the years to come. 2026-08-12 Item #08G - Updated 08/10/2026 Page 32 of 48 DIXON RESOURCES UNLIMITED | 21
2026-08-12 Item #08G - Updated 08/10/2026 Page 33 of 48 ATTACHMENT 2
ORDINANCE NO. 2026-12
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ENCINITAS, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING CHAPTER 14.41, PERMIT PARKING ZONES, OF THE ENCINITAS MUNICIPAL CODE
WHEREAS, City of Encinitas Municipal Code Chapter 14.41 was adopted by Ordinance No. 2022-05 to define procedures and regulations for establishing permit parking zones to protect residential areas of the City; and
WHEREAS, City staff receives and evaluates petitions requesting Permit Parking Zones in the City based on the procedures and regulations set forth in Chapter 14.41; and WHEREAS, the City desires to amend Chapter 14.41 to clarify the purpose, procedures and requirements of the Permit Parking program.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Encinitas, California, hereby ordains as follows:
SECTION ONE:
That Chapter 14.41 is hereby amended as shown by track changes set forth in Exhibit A to this Ordinance.
SECTION TWO:
This project is not subject to review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to General Rule, Section 15061(b)(3) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines since there would be no possibility of a significant effect on the environment and pursuant to CEQA Section 15378(b)(5), which exempts organizational or administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment in that the amendments to the Municipal Code regard local administrative procedure updates.
SECTION THREE:
Any provision of the Encinitas Municipal Code or appendices thereto inconsistent with the provisions of this Ordinance, to the extent of such inconsistencies and no further, is hereby repealed or modified to that extent necessary to affect the provisions of this Ordinance.
SECTION FOUR:
If any chapter, article, section, subsection, subdivision, sentence, clause, phrase, word, or portion of this Ordinance, or the application thereof to any person, is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional by the decision of any court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portion of this Ordinance or its application to other persons. The City Council hereby declares that it would have adopted this Ordinance and each chapter, article, section, subsection, subdivision, sentence, clause, phrase, word, or portion thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more subsections, subdivisions, sentences, clauses, phrases, or portions of the application thereof to any person, be declared invalid or 2026-08-12 Item #08G - Updated 08/10/2026 Page 34 of 48 ATTACHMENT 2
unconstitutional.
SECTION FIVE:
This Ordinance shall take effect and be in force thirty (30) days after its passage and the City Clerk of the City of Encinitas is hereby authorized to use summary publication procedures pursuant to Government Code Section 36933 utilizing the Coast News, a newspaper of general circulation published in the City of Encinitas.
SECTION SIX:
This Ordinance was introduced at a regular meeting of the City Council held on June 17, 2026.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council held on the 12th day of August, 2026.
______________________________
Bruce Ehlers, Mayor
ATTEST:
______________________________________
Peter Weichers, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM
______________________________________
Ajit Thind, City Attorney
CERTIFICATION: I, Peter Weichers, City Clerk of the City of Encinitas, California, do hereby certify under penalty of perjury that the foregoing ordinance was duly and regularly introduced at a meeting of the City Council on the 17th day of June 2026 and that thereafter the said ordinance was duly and regularly adopted at a meeting of the City Council on the 12th of August, 2026 by the following vote, to wit:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
2026-08-12 Item #08G - Updated 08/10/2026 Page 35 of 48 ATTACHMENT 2
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the City of Encinitas, California, this 12th day of August, 2026
_____________________________________
Peter Weichers, City Clerk
2026-08-12 Item #08G - Updated 08/10/2026 Page 36 of 48 Exhibit A to Attachment 2
In this document, revisions to Encinitas Municipal Code Chapter 14.41 are shown. All new text is underlined and all existing code text that is recommended for deletion, is stricken out.
§ 14.41.010. Purpose.
It is the purpose of this chapter to set forth procedures and regulations for establishing permit parking zones to protect residential areas of the City.
Public streets in neighborhoods in the City have parking accessible to Residents in those neighborhoods. Parking by Residents and non-Residents due to residential and external parking demand causes inaccessibility to parking and congestion on neighborhood streets. Such parking by Residents and non-Residents threatens the health, safety and welfare of all residents of Encinitas. In order to protect and enhance the quality of life and promote the integrity of these neighborhoods, it is necessary to enact parking regulations restricting unlimited parking by Residents and non-Residents, while meeting the parking availability standards determined by the City to be appropriate for the area and providing the opportunity for Residents to park near their homes.
§ 14.41.020. Definitions.
"Residential parking"
includes parking for residents at their residence; guests of residents; and public and commercial services and deliveries being made to a residence.
Commercial Vehicle – A motor vehicle of a type required to be registered pursuant to Section
13.010 of the California Vehicle Code, used or maintained for the transportation of persons for hire, compensation, or profit or designed, used or maintained primarily for the transportation of property.
Commuter Vehicle – A motor vehicle parked in a residential area which is not owned, leased, or otherwise controlled by a resident who lives in the area designated as residential parking permit zone.
Event - A planned, scheduled, or organized activity occurring for a limited duration, conducted by a Resident at their household, that attracts visitors and may require City approval due to its impacts on public property, public rights-of-way, traffic, parking, noise, or city services.
Guest – Any visitor who exercises short-term residential occupancy, or is entitled to short-term residential occupancy, by reason of concession, permit, right of access, license, or other agreement for a period of less than one month.
Guest Parking Permit – A temporary parking authorization issued to Residents for use by their visitors. This permit allows Guests to legally park in designated Residential Permit Parking Areas without receiving a citation for exceeding time limits or lacking a Residential Parking Permit. 2026-08-12 Item #08G - Updated 08/10/2026 Page 37 of 48 Oversized Vehicle - Any vehicle that exceeds 25 feet in length, or exceeds 80 inches in width, or exceeds 82 inches in height. An oversized vehicle does not include pickup trucks that are less than 25 feet in length and 82 inches in height.
Parking Program Manager - The City staff member, designee, or agent of the City responsible for the management of the Residential Permit Parking Program.
Quality of Life Factors – Those factors that enhance the quality of life in the residential neighborhoods, including but not limited to, reducing noise and parking congestion, public health, safety and other environmental concerns, protecting the character of neighborhoods, and contributing to a greater sense of a secure, peaceful and livable environment.
Resident – A person owning, leasing, and/or residing in a dwelling unit in a Residential Permit Parking Area.
Residential Parking Permit – An annual authorization issued to users registered in a designated Residential Permit Parking Area for use to legally park without receiving a citation for exceeding time limits.
Residential Permit Parking Area - A contiguous residential area within the city comprised of one or more streets that have been designated by City Council resolution that allows permitted registered and Guest vehicles to be exempt from parking restrictions.
Service Vehicle - A vehicle used by a public agency, utility provider, contractor, or authorized service company while performing maintenance, repair, inspection, installation, or operational tasks on public or private property.
§ 14.41.030 Designation of Zones.
A. By a resolution adopted following a noticed, public hearing, the City Council may designate permit parking zones when the City Council finds facts that support each of the following conclusions:
1. The proposed zone is designated for residential uses only;
2. The proposed zone is being used as an on-street parking site for commercial, commuter or other nonresidential parking purposes;
3. The nonresidential parking within the proposed zone adversely impacts the residential character and quality of life in the proposed zone.
B. The resolution shall designate the geographic boundaries of the zone.
C. The zone regulation shall be effective following the adoption of the resolution, the placement of signs and 30-day period for persons to obtain permits. § 14.41.030. Parking Permit Exemption.
A. A motor vehicle that has been assigned a valid Residential Parking Permit as provided for herein shall be permitted to stand or be parked in the Residential Permit Parking Area for 2026-08-12 Item #08G - Updated 08/10/2026 Page 38 of 48 which the permit has been issued without being limited by time restrictions established pursuant to this Chapter or any resolution hereunder.
B. A Residential Parking Permit or any other permit as designated by the Council shall not guarantee or reserve to the holder thereof any parking space within the Residential Permit Parking Area for which the permit was issued.
C. Residential Permit Parking restrictions shall not apply to police vehicles, authorized emergency vehicles, service vehicles, delivery vehicles, City-owned vehicles when used for official business, or any other vehicle that is exempt pursuant to state law. § 14.41.035. Residential Parking Permit Updates Subject to Council Resolution.
The following permit policy defaults shall be subject to updates by individual Council Resolutions which may include but are not limited to:
A. Qualifying size of Residential Parking Permit Areas
B. Petition threshold to initiate the process to establish a Residential Parking Permit Area C. Parking occupancy thresholds to qualify for a Residential Parking Permit Area D. Qualifications for Permit Issuance
E. Total number of Residential Parking Permits, Guest Permits, and Event Permits per household
F. Fees for Residential Parking Permits and Guest Permits G. Hours and days of operation in each Residential Parking Permit Area. § 14.41.040Parking Regulation in Designated Zones.
Within a designated permit parking zone, it shall be unlawful for any person to park a vehicle on a public street, or alley during the period of time designated, unless a valid parking permit is properly displayed on such vehicle.
§ 14.41.040. Designation of Residential Permit Parking Areas.
Designation of Residential Permit Parking areas will be limited to areas with a recommended minimum centerline distance of approximately 1,500 feet (terminating in complete blocks or street corners) that experience impacts from parking demand which include factors such as commercial areas, residential development, recreational areas, schools and neighboring cities. An individual Residential Permit Parking Area’s boundary shall not be intersected by roadways not qualified as residential district per CVC or roadways classified higher than “Local” on the California Road System (CRS) Map. The process to designate a residential permit parking area is:
A. The City Council may consider for designation as a Residential Permit Parking Area any such proposed area for which a petition has been submitted that meets and satisfies the following requirements and any administrative guidelines adopted by the City Council:
1. A petition signed on behalf of a majority (51% or greater) of dwelling units is required to initiate the process for consideration for designation as a Residential Permit Parking Area; and
2026-08-12 Item #08G - Updated 08/10/2026 Page 39 of 48
2. Only one signature from a Resident of each dwelling unit will be considered for a petition.
i. For petitions involving rental complexes, the Residents, property managers, and property owners will participate in the petition survey. ii. If the units in a multifamily property are individually owned, each owner would be included in the petitioning process.
iii. If multiple inhabitants in a dwelling unit disagree on the establishment of a Residential Parking Permit Area, the dwelling unit will not qualify to sign a petition. In addition, the dwelling unit will be removed from the equation threshold of the proposed Residential Permit Parking Area, reducing the overall number of qualified addresses on the petition by one.
B. Upon receipt of a valid petition as set forth in subsection A., the Engineering Department’s Parking Program Manager shall do the following:
1. A notice of intent to establish residential permit parking restrictions shall be sent to all dwelling units within the proposed Residential Permit Parking Area by the United States Postal Service;
2. Conduct or cause to be conducted a parking occupancy survey to determine the utilization of on-street parking, by which during the peak parking demand hour, a 50% parking occupancy threshold of all available public on-street parking spaces which threshold is required for the Engineering Department to recommend the creation of a Residential Permit Parking Area;
3. Ensure the City’s Citizen Participation Plan (CPP) and refer the matter to the Mobility and Traffic Safety Commission (MTSC). The MTSC shall review the parking occupancy survey and/or other factors affecting the Quality of Life in the proposed Residential Permit Parking Area; and
4. Consider the MTSC recommendation and present to the City Council a final recommendation on the Residential Permit Parking Area in accordance with requirements of this Chapter.
i. Once City Council has taken final action on such a resolution to establish a Residential Permit Parking Area, no further changes or requests for changes in Resident Permit Parking restrictions for this area will be considered for a minimum period of one year, unless directed by further City Council action.
C. Following the establishment of a Residential Permit Parking Area, the City Traffic Engineer shall cause signs to be posted restricting all or certain portions of streets, alleys and/or highways in that area as Residential Permit Parking only. Thereafter, it shall be unlawful and an infraction for any person to park or leave standing a vehicle within such area during the times and days when such parking is prohibited, other than a vehicle that has been issued a valid Residential Parking Permit or exempted pursuant to Section 14.41.025 of this Chapter.
D. The City Council, with or without a resident petition, at its discretion, may consider creation, removal or modification of a Residential Permit Parking Area and direct staff to 2026-08-12 Item #08G - Updated 08/10/2026 Page 40 of 48 conduct required pursuant parking occupancy surveys, and to notice Residents by mailer and to hold a public meeting through the CPP process.
E. The City Council shall have flexibility in defining neighborhood boundaries on a case-bycase basis in special circumstances where the minimum street-frontage is less, but reasonably close to the minimum of 1,500 feet.
§ 14.41.050 General Prohibitions.
A. It shall be unlawful for any permittee to loan, assign, sell or otherwise transfer a permit for use by a vehicle whose parking is within the zone and is unrelated to the permittee's residence.
B. It shall be unlawful for any person to make false representations in obtaining a permit.
C. It shall be unlawful for any person to use a permit without the express authority of the permittee.
D. It shall be unlawful for any person to counterfeit or otherwise alter any permit. § 14.41.050. Issuance and Duration of Permits.
A. Residential Parking Permits shall be issued by the Engineering Department in accordance with the requirements set forth in this Chapter and the Residential Permit Parking Area’s establishment resolution and shall be valid only in the Residential Permit Parking Area for which it is issued.
B. The number of parking permits available to Residents of each area shall be established by the resolution establishing the Residential Permit Parking Area.
C. Residential Parking Permits shall be issued with a term not to exceed one year, unless earlier revoked or terminated, provided however that a permit shall automatically terminate when the permit holder ceases to reside in the designated Residential Permit Parking Area.
D. No Residential Parking Permit issued pursuant to this Chapter shall be transferable from the permit holder to any other person, nor from one vehicle to another.
14.41.060 Permit Issuance.
A. The Public Works Department shall issue parking permits as follows:
1. Resident Permit, Formula for Maximum Allowance. The number of vehicles customarily parked at the residence by persons who reside at the residence in the zone. Each parking permit shall be valid indefinitely, unless an expiration date is set by the City Council.
2. Visitor Permit. A maximum of three permits for each residence in the zone for use only by public, commercial or private guests temporarily at the residence. Each parking permit shall be valid indefinitely, unless an expiration date is set by the City Council.
B. As a condition to the issuance of a permit, the Public Works Department shall collect a fee from the permittee in an amount established by resolution. 2026-08-12 Item #08G - Updated 08/10/2026 Page 41 of 48 A Residential Parking Permit may be issued only to an eligible driver who can demonstrate that they currently reside at an eligible dwelling unit within the Residential Permit Parking Area for which the permit is to be issued.
A. To be issued a Residential Parking Permit, each eligible driver shall provide the following information:
1. The applicant’s full, true name and home address, and proof of residence;
2. The applicant’s driver license;
3. A valid and current vehicle registration and license plate number of the vehicle for which a permit is being requested; and
4. The applicable fee.;
C. A temporary Residential Parking Permit shall be issued to an eligible driver for a rented or borrowed registered vehicle where the eligible driver, residing in a Residential Permit Parking Area, demonstrates their own vehicle is unavailable for that driver's use for a temporary period. Such permits will expire upon the return to use of the originally permitted vehicle or its replacement.
D. The City Council may, by resolution, limit the number of permits issued to any Resident, dwelling unit, or Residential Permit Parking Area if such limitation would further the goals of the Residential Permit Parking Program.
E. Residential Parking Permits will not be issued to non-motorized vehicles (including, but not limited to trailers), oversized vehicles, or to commercial vehicles that are registered at business addresses. For the purposes of this Chapter, a “commercial vehicle” shall have the same meaning as that term is defined in Section 260 of the California Vehicle Code. § 14.41.065. Residential Parking Permits.
A. The City Council may, by resolution, authorize the issuance of Residential Parking Permits in any Residential Permit Parking Area. When authorized, a Resident within a Residential Permit Parking Area may apply for Residential Parking Permits.
B. The maximum number of Residential Parking Permits to be issued per dwelling unit shall be determined zone-by-zone according to resolution establishing the Residential Permit Parking Areas. Unless modified by a Council resolution, the default maximum number of Residential Parking Permits per dwelling unit, shall be calculated based on the following criteria:
1. One bedroom qualifies for one permit.
2. Two to three bedrooms qualify for two permits.
3. 4 or more bedrooms qualify for three permits.
2026-08-12 Item #08G - Updated 08/10/2026 Page 42 of 48 § 14.41.070 Displaying Permits.
A. A permit shall be issued in the form of a decal which shall be affixed to the rear window of the registered vehicle, in the lower corner of the driver's side, clearly visible from the outside.
B. A temporary permit shall be issued in the form of a card which shall be placed on the dashboard of the authorized vehicle, on the driver's side, clearly visible from the outside. § 14.41.070. Guest Parking Permits.
A. The City Council may, by resolution, authorize the issuance of temporary Guest Parking Permits in any Residential Permit Parking Area. When authorized, a Resident within a Residential Permit Parking Area may apply for temporary parking permits for use by their Guests in the Residential Permit Parking Area where the Resident resides.
B. The maximum default number of Guest Parking Permits to be issued per day per dwelling unit, shall be two (2) according to resolution establishing the Residential Permit Parking Areas. The maximum value may be updated by resolution.
C. Each household will be allowed up to a total of 60 daily Guest Parking Permits per year with a maximum use of 10 daily guest passes per month.
D. Guest Parking Permits may be issued under the following conditions:
1. The Resident applicant for a Guest Parking Permit has not reached the limits, if any, set by the City Council.
2. Such other conditions and restrictions that the City Council by resolution imposes or that the City Traffic Engineer, or Parking Program Manager, deems appropriate.
E. Use of Guest Parking Permits shall comply with Residential Permit Parking regulations established pursuant to this Chapter to be valid within the Residential Permit Parking Area for which it was assigned.
1. Intentional or repeated misuse of use of Guest Parking Permits by a Resident or their Guests may be cause for revocation of the Guest Parking Permit privileges by the Parking Program Manager.
F. Up to three times per calendar year, a dwelling unit in a Residential Permit Parking Area that is hosting an event may obtain up to 15 one-day “Event” Parking Permits for a specifically requested date, upon written approval of the Parking Program Manager or City Traffic Engineer. The Event Parking Permits shall be listed by the host, verified by license plate, and will not count against the Guest Parking Permit allotment of 60 per year. § 14.41.080. Parking Permit Fees.
The fees for Residential Parking Permits and for Guest Parking Permits, or any other parking permit designated by the City Council, shall be established by City Council resolution. § 14.41.090. Good Neighbor Policy
2026-08-12 Item #08G - Updated 08/10/2026 Page 43 of 48 Residents applying for Residential Parking Permits will be required to sign a Good Neighbor Policy. These policies help guide neighborhood ethos, promote friendly and cooperative interactions, and may cause ground for Residential Parking Permits to be revoked if any breach of the following policies occur:
A. Permit parkers must not block or overhang any driveway, painted curb, wheelchair ramp, or other structure.
B. Permit parkers shall be considerate of noise and comply with applicable city noise ordinances.
C. Permit parkers shall not move solid waste containers in a manner that precludes collection of solid waste, obstructs driveways or other rights of way, or otherwise interferes with vehicular traffic in order to park on a street or portion thereof designated as permit parking only
D. Permit parkers shall not double park.
E. Permit parkers are restricted only to paved space in the public right-of-way and cannot park on any dirt or landscaped space.
F. Permit parkers and Residents shall be courteous to each other and make a polite, kind, considerate request to correct their parking issues amongst each other before contacting the City.
G. Permit parkers shall not litter where their vehicles are parked.
H. Residential properties shall not be eligible for permit parking if available onsite parking is “unbundled” and at a cost higher than permit program.
§ 14.41.100. Penalties, Liability, and Enforcement.
A. Violations of this Chapter are punishable pursuant to Chapter 1.08 of this Code and include the following:
1. Falsely representing oneself as eligible for a Residential Parking Permit or furnishing false information in an application.
2. Using a Residential Parking Permit issued pursuant to this Chapter for any motor vehicle other than that for which the permit was issued.
3. Copying, reproducing, or otherwise bringing into existence a counterfeit Residential Parking Permit or permits without written authorization from the City Traffic Engineer or the Parking Program Manager.
4. Knowingly using or displaying a facsimile or counterfeit parking permit in order to evade time limitations on parking applicable in a Residential Permit Parking Area.
5. Selling, transferring, or exchanging a Residential Parking Permit or permits with any other person except as provided for in this Chapter and without written authorization from the City Traffic Engineer or the Parking Program Manager.
6. Knowingly committing any act that is prohibited by the terms of this Chapter or any other provision of this Code related to Residential Parking Permits.
7. Breaching any of the policies outlined in the Good Neighbor Policy, subject to City review on a case-by-case basis.
2026-08-12 Item #08G - Updated 08/10/2026 Page 44 of 48 B. The acts set forth above shall constitute fraudulent use of a Residential Parking Permit, for which the City Manager or Parking Program Manager may revoke any Residential Parking Permit currently held and/or future eligibility therefore. In addition, a permit and/or eligibility therefore may be revoked based on a violation of the polices/and or regulations adopted pursuant to section 14.41.100. Any revocation pursuant to this section shall be subject to the appeal provisions of Chapter 1.12. § 14.41.110. Residential Parking Permit Policy.
The City Council, the City Traffic Engineer and/or their designee may adopt policies and/or administrative regulations to implement this Chapter, including, but not limited to, the establishment of a Residential Permit Parking Area and the criteria for the issuance, denial, revocation, duration, number of Residential Parking Permits and Guest Parking Permits per household, Residential Parking Permit fees, and other administrative actions consistent with the authority granted by this Chapter.
2026-08-12 Item #08G - Updated 08/10/2026 Page 45 of 48 ATTACHMENT 3
ORDINANCE NO. 2026-13
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ENCINITAS, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING CHAPTER 14.42, PARKING VIOLATION ENFORCEMENT, OF THE ENCINITAS
MUNICIPAL CODE
WHEREAS, City of Encinitas Municipal Code Chapter 14.42 was adopted by Ordinance No. 98-22 to define procedures and regulations for enforcing parking violations in the City; and WHEREAS, the City desires to amend Chapter 14.42 to clarify the provisions related to parking violation enforcement.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Encinitas, California, hereby ordains as follows:
SECTION ONE:
§ 14.42.020 Parking Violation Enforcement.
A. Enforcement. Every peace officer, every City employee, and every designee of the City Council charged with enforcement of the provisions of Chapters 14.40, 14.41 and/or other chapters of this Code relating to illegal parking, the provisions of the California Vehicle Code, and the other laws of the state applicable to parking violations within the City, shall have the duty, when any vehicle is illegally parked, to issue written parking violation notice thereof stating the vehicle license number and registration expiration date, the last four digits of the vehicle identification number (if visible), the state, the make of such vehicle, the color of the vehicle, the approximate time and date of such illegal parking, street location, and a reference to the appropriate section of the code violated and a procedure to deposit the parking penalty or contest the notice. Such notice shall be attached in a conspicuous place upon the vehicle so as to be easily observed by the person in charge of such vehicle upon return thereto.
SECTION TWO:
This project is not subject to review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to General Rule, Section 15061(b)(3) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines since there would be no possibility of a significant effect on the environment and pursuant to CEQA Section 15378(b)(5), which exempts organizational or administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment in that the amendments to the Municipal Code regard local administrative procedure updates.
SECTION THREE:
Any provision of the Encinitas Municipal Code or appendices thereto inconsistent with the provisions of this Ordinance, to the extent of such inconsistencies and no further, is hereby repealed or modified to that extent necessary to affect the provisions of this Ordinance.
SECTION FOUR:
2026-08-12 Item #08G - Updated 08/10/2026 Page 46 of 48 ATTACHMENT 3
If any chapter, article, section, subsection, subdivision, sentence, clause, phrase, word, or portion of this Ordinance, or the application thereof to any person, is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional by the decision of any court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portion of this Ordinance or its application to other persons. The City Council hereby declares that it would have adopted this Ordinance and each chapter, article, section, subsection, subdivision, sentence, clause, phrase, word, or portion thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more subsections, subdivisions, sentences, clauses, phrases, or portions of the application thereof to any person, be declared invalid or unconstitutional.
SECTION FIVE:
This Ordinance shall take effect and be in force thirty (30) days after its passage and the City Clerk of the City of Encinitas is hereby authorized to use summary publication procedures pursuant to Government Code Section 36933 utilizing the Coast News, a newspaper of general circulation published in the City of Encinitas.
SECTION SIX:
This Ordinance was introduced at a regular meeting of the City Council held on June 17, 2026.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council held on the 12th day of August, 2026.
______________________________
Bruce Ehlers, Mayor
ATTEST:
______________________________________
Peter Weichers, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM
______________________________________
Ajit Thind, City Attorney
CERTIFICATION: I, Peter Weichers, City Clerk of the City of Encinitas, California, do hereby certify under penalty of perjury that the foregoing ordinance was duly and regularly introduced at a meeting of the City Council on the 17th day of June, 2026 and that thereafter the said ordinance was duly and regularly adopted at a meeting of the City Council on the 12th of August, 2026 by the following vote, to wit:
2026-08-12 Item #08G - Updated 08/10/2026 Page 47 of 48 ATTACHMENT 3
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the City of Encinitas, California, this 12th day of August, 2026
_____________________________________
Peter Weichers, City Clerk
2026-08-12 Item #08G - Updated 08/10/2026 Page 48 of 48