Department of Transportation
PARKING BUDGET UPDATE
MUNICIPAL SERVICES COMMITTEE
February 24, 2026
Item #1
Department of Transportation
Off-Street Parking
Department of Transportation
Background
• This item provides an update on the off-street
and on-street parking funds and discusses ideas
to help maintain and position the funds for
future expenses
• The Parking Division of the Department of
Transportation operates:
> 8 parking garages
> 3 paid surface lots
> over 1,900 metered parking spaces throughout several
business districts
3 Department of Transportation
Off-Street Parking
• In 2014, the off-street funds were consolidated
into a single fund
> Were consolidated to create greater flexibility to fund projects and repairs
> Eliminated the need for interfund loans to assist
underperforming garages
• Over the past decade, revenues have
remained relatively static except for
decreases due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Expenses have varied but have increased over
the past 3 years
4 Department of Transportation
Off-Street Parking (Fund 407)
5 Department of Transportation
Off-Street Parking (Fund 407)
• In July of 2022, staff
implemented rate changes
at several garages
> Eliminated 90 minutes free in
Old Pasadena
> Raised daily max rate to $12
> $1 for first 2 hours of parking in
Old Pasadena and Del Mar
Station Garages
This change caused a 2-
hour stay at these garages
to go from $2 to $1
6 Department of Transportation
Budget Variables - Expenses
• Top ongoing garage
expenses:
> Garage operator contract (PCI)
> Garage security contract (Block
by Block)
> City personnel expenses
> Electricity
> Credit Card Fees
• We expect these costs to
continue to increase over
time
7 Department of Transportation
Budget Variables - Expenses
• Garage Capital Improvement
Project
> 2021 WJE engineering report
identified almost $13M in repairs
> $5M funded through current fiscal
year
> Projects include:
Elevator cab refurbishment
Carbon monoxide system
refurbishment/replacement
Concrete repairs
Expansion joint replacement
Traffic membrane replacement
8 Department of Transportation
Budget Variables - Expenses
• Additional Desired
Garage Amenities
> Parking guidance
> Signage upgrades
> Public art
> Expanded Public Wi-Fi
• Future Expenses
> Parking Access and Revenue
Control System
> New garage operator
contract
> Repairs/replacement
9 Department of Transportation
Budget Variables - Revenues
• Garage Rates
> Garages have been historically been kept well
below market rate
> Business community and residents prefer to
maintain low rates
> Private garages and lots operate at market rate
10 Department of Transportation
Budget Variables - Revenues
11 Garage/Lot (Public and Private) Cost of 3-Hour Stay
Macy’s Pasadena Plaza $0.00
City of Pasadena – Old Pasadena and Del Mar Garages $3.00 City of Pasadena – Shoppers Lane Lots $4.00
City of Pasadena – Playhouse Surface Lot $4.50
One Colorado $9.00
Pasadena & Union Lot $10.00
31 N Arroyo Parkway Lot $10.00
80 S Lake $12.15
922 E Green Lot $13.50
Pasarroyo $15.00
177 E Colorado $15.00
200 S Los Robles $15.00
The Commons $15.75
Thatcher Medical Center Lot $16.00
Parsons - West $16.00
Department of Transportation
Budget Variables - Revenues
• Off-Street Rate History
> Rates have not changed significantly since 2009
12 Department of Transportation
Budget Variables - Revenues
• Other potential revenue opportunities
> Garage Rate Modifications
Special Event Rates, flat rates and peak rates
Higher rates in high demand garages
> Parking Occupancy Tax
A tax that is imposed on each occupant of a
parking facility
13 Department of Transportation
On-Street Parking
Department of Transportation
On-Street Parking
Department of Transportation
On-Street Parking Meter Funds
• There are currently 5 parking meter districts
> Old Pasadena
> South Lake
> Playhouse
> Civic Center
> West Gateway
• Meters are utilized in high demand areas
as a tool to manage on-street demand
16 Department of Transportation
On-Street Parking Meter Funds
• Like the garages, metered parking
revenues were impacted by the
pandemic
• Revenues have returned to pre-pandemic
levels
• Expenses have tracked similarly to the
garages with increases over the last 3
years
17 Department of Transportation
On-Street Parking Meter Funds
18 Department of Transportation
Budget Variables - Expenses
• Top Ongoing Meter Expenses
> BID Assessment and agreement fees
> Pay Station Agreement
Provides extended warranty, back-office software
and mobile connectivity for parking meters
> City personnel expenses
> Credit card processing fees
• We expect these costs to continue to increase
over time
• Staff is examining the potential to save on
credit card processing fees for meter
transactions.
19 Department of Transportation
Budget Variables - Revenues
• Meter Rates
> Meter rates should be used to manage demand
with the goal of maintaining 85% occupancy
20 City Rate
Pasadena $1 – $1.50 per hour
Long Beach $1 - $2 per hour
Santa Ana $1 - $2 per hour
Beverly Hills $2 per hour
Burbank $2 per hour
West Hollywood $2 per hour
Santa Monica $2 - $2.50 per hour
Glendale $2 - $3 per hour
Huntington Beach $3 - $4 per hour
Los Angeles $0.50 - $8 per hour
Department of Transportation
Budget Variables - Revenues
21 Department of Transportation
Budget Variables - Revenues
• On-Street Rate History
> Rates have not changed significantly since 2006
> 2 meter zones (Playhouse and South Lake) are
implementing updated rate schedules pursuant
to previous action by City Council
DOT will review occupancy data and adjust
rates to achieve 85% occupancy
Rates cannot be lower than $1 per hour or
higher than $5 per hour
22 Department of Transportation
Budget Variables - Revenues
• Other potential revenue opportunities
> Paid Loading Zones
> Meter Rate Modifications
> Citation Revenue Contribution to Meter Funds
23 Department of Transportation
Next Steps
• Staff will work with the business districts and
meter zone advisory commissions to
identify potential solutions
• Staff will continue to examine potential
cost reduction and revenue generating
options
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