CITY OF MANHATTAN BEACH COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
1400 Highland Avenue, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
ERIK ZANDVLIET, T.E., CITY TRAFFIC ENGINEER
www.citymb.info • [email protected] • (310) 802-5522 July 7, 2025
Current Resident/Property Owner
Dune Section
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
RE: Public Parking Pads in Sand Dune Section of City
Dear Current Resident/Property Owner:
Parking pads are a fairly unique feature in several areas of the City on streets where there are no curbs. While many of them are customized with decorative pavements and features, they are still public parking spaces located within the street right-of-way and must remain open to the public, just as if they were located along the curbside. In the Sand, Dune and Tree sections, these parking spaces help fill a critical demand for public parking, and we need everyone’s cooperation to guarantee that all public spaces are used to their full potential.
This letter is a reminder that parking pads are public parking spaces and shall not be used for any other purpose, such as for reserved private parking, patios or private yards, even though it may seem like it is part of your front yard. Consequently, you also have a right to park on the public parking pads in front of other homes. Vehicles parked on parking pads are subject to the same vehicle laws and restrictions as if they are parked on the street pavement, including the 72-hour maximum parking time limit. A parking pad is not the same as a driveway, however, which provides private access to a garage or carport (and private parking).
In an effort to reduce illegal privatization of parking pads in the Dune Section, you may have noticed that the City has posted new signs as you enter your neighborhood to inform citizens of the legality of the public parking pads. Second, certain ambiguous spaces that may appear private will be labeled with a “PUBLIC PARKING” stencil for clarity. Third, our Code and Parking Enforcement officers are identifying pads being used for private purposes and are sending notices or issuing citations to those violators.
We believe this multi-disciplinary solution will maximize the availability of public parking for all residents and help ease tensions between neighbors. Thank you in advance for keeping these parking pads open for all users. If there are any questions about the public parkway area in front of your home or the codes related to it, please feel free to contact me at (310) 802-5522 or [email protected].
Sincerely,
Erik Zandvliet, T.E.
City Traffic Engineer