City of Sacramento
City Council - 5PM Report
915 I Street Sacramento, CA 95814
www.cityofsacramento.org
File ID: 2025-00969 5/20/2025 Item 4.
Ordinance Relating to Parking Meter Rates [Passed for Publication 05/13/2025; Published 05/16/2025]
File ID: 2025-00969
Location: Parking Meter Districts (Central and Fort Sutter Traffic District), District 4 Recommendation: 1) Repeal Ordinance No. 2016-0033 as of July 1, 2025; 2) adopt an Ordinance relating to parking meter rates to become effective July 1, 2025; and 3) adopt the ordinance title as required by Sacramento City Charter §32 (f).
Contact: Staci Hovermale, Parking Services Manager (916) 808-5047, [email protected]; Department of Public Works Presenter: None
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-Ordinance
3-Exhibit A- Parking Meter Rates
4-Ordinance No. 2016-0033
Description/Analysis
Issue Detail: California Vehicle Code section 22508(a) requires that local authorities establish parking meter rates by ordinance and allows local authorities to set variable parking meter fees provided the ordinance includes criteria supporting the variable rates.
The recommended action repeals Ordinance No. 2016-0033, approved by the City Council on August 23, 2016, and establishes adjusted parking meter rates effective July 1, 2025.
Sacramento City Council passed this ordinance for publication on May 13, 2025.
The volume of events in Central City have resulted in an increase of maintenance, repair, telecommunication fees, credit card vendor fees, and labor expenses associated with the operation of electronic parking meters. Parking meters serve the purpose of balancing the on- street parking supply where time limits are ineffective; encourage use of on-street parking meters
File ID: 2025-00969 5/20/2025 Item 4.
for short-term parking and off-street parking facilities for long-term parking; and provide parking turnover to support local businesses and residents.
Sacramento City Code section 10.40.130 limits the use of parking meter funds to provide for the proper regulation and control of traffic upon public streets; to provide for public off-street parking facilities; to cover the cost of supervision, inspection, installation, maintenance, control, and use of the parking spaces; and regulating parking of vehicles in the parking meter zones.
The recommendation is to adopt an ordinance to reflect the following parking meter rates:
· Tier 1 (base parking meter rate): $3.00 per hour
· Tier 2: Effective for one additional hour after the Tier 1 time has elapsed and not to exceed 25% above the average hourly rate of city-owned garages. · Tier 3: Effective after Tier 2 hour has elapsed and not to exceed 50% above the Tier 2 rate.
Base parking meter rates had been $1.75 per hour since 2016. Last year, the base parking meter rates were increased to $2.00 per hour by resolution with the annual Fee & Charge Report. This year’s increase is being done in accordance with the California Vehicle Code and Sacramento City Code which requires adjustment of parking meter rates
Policy Considerations: The proposed actions herein are consistent with California Vehicle Code section 22508(a) requiring local authorities to establish parking meter fees by ordinance.
Economic Impacts: None.
Environmental Considerations: This ordinance is not subject to the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under the general rule (CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b) (3)) that CEQA applies only to projects that have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment.
Sustainability: This action supports the City of Sacramento’s sustainability goals to improve and optimize the transportation infrastructure.
Commission/Committee Action: None. Per Council Rules of Procedure, chapter 13(B)(I)(b)(viii), establishing or adjusting parking meter rates does not require Law and Legislative Committee review prior to Council review and adoption.
Rationale for Recommendation: Parking meter rates utilize pricing structures to encourage more parking in off-street parking facilities for longer-term parking, especially during special events. Over the past two years, the city has averaged around 1,100 special events annually in city
File ID: 2025-00969 5/20/2025 Item 4.
parking meter districts. This does not include additional parking volumes associated with local show venues, tourists, restaurants, and daily employee parking.
A parking meter rate study conducted in January of 2025 surveyed 12 cities to compare cities with smaller, similar, and larger populations based on 2023 U.S. Census Bureau data. Each city was compared to Sacramento by population size and hourly meter rates. The study supports a base meter rate of $3.00 per hour. Riverside and Anaheim, both with smaller populations than Sacramento, presently have meter rates at $3.00 per hour and $4.00 per hour, respectively.
Oakland, with a similar population size to Sacramento, charges $3.00 per hour. Seattle and San Francisco, as cities with larger populations, charge $3.50 per hour and $4.00 per hour, respectively.
Parking meter rates for Tier 2 will continue to be based on garage hourly rates, however calculated at a percentage above, and not equal to it. Tier 3 will continue to rely on a percentage increase above the Tier 2 rate. Special event parking meter flat rates will also continue to be based on percentage above special event rates at city-owned garages.
Financial Considerations: Fees collected will be used for limited, authorized uses: proper regulation and control of traffic upon public streets; to provide for public off-street parking facilities; to cover the cost of supervision, inspection, installation, maintenance, control, and use of the parking spaces; and regulating parking of vehicles in the parking meter zones. The proposed rate increase is expected to be sufficient to cover increase in maintenance, telecommunication, and labor costs.
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Not applicable.
1 ORDINANCE NO.
Adopted by the Sacramento City Council
Date Adopted
AN ORDINANCE REPEALING ORDINANCE NO. 2016-0033 AND ESTABLISHING PARKING METER RATES
BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SACRAMENTO:
SECTION 1.
The city council finds the following:
A. California Vehicle Code section 22508 requires that local authorities establish parking meter rates by ordinance. That provision also allows local authorities to set variable parking meter rates provided the ordinance includes criteria supporting the variable rates.
B. To comply with these provisions, on August 23, 2016, the city council adopted Ordinance No. 2016-0032, which amended Sacramento City Code section 10.40.060 to provide for the setting of parking meter rates by ordinance.
C. On August 23, 2016, the city council also approved the establishment of special event parking meter zones within 12 blocks of the Golden 1 Center. Parking rates in these zones are variable depending on the occurrence of special events.
D. Variable rates for special event meter parking are based on a set of criteria that are dependent upon the distance of the parking meter from the event epicenter, expected event center occupancy levels, and the special event flat rate charged at city parking garages. The special event meter pricing is charged for any special event held at the Golden 1 Center with an expected occupancy level reaching above 10,000 attendees.
E. The Golden 1 Center hosts a significant number of special events each year. This increase in special events has boosted parking demand, which in turn has resulted in an increase in maintenance and repair, telecommunication fees, and labor expenses associated with the operation of electronic parking meters. The city must increase parking meter rates to pay for these increased costs.
2 F. Parking meters serve many purposes, including balancing the on-street parking supply where time limits are ineffective, encouraging the use of on-street parking meters for short-term parking and off-street parking facilities for long-term parking, and providing parking turnover to support local businesses and residents.
G. Based upon the information presented to it, and pursuant to the requirements of California Vehicle Code section 22508, the city council finds that the adjustment of parking meter rates and the need for variable parking meter rates during special events in designated parking meter zones, as described in Exhibit A, are necessary to continue to meet the ongoing operating expenses associated with parking meters by the Parking Division.
SECTION 2.
Ordinance No. 2016-0033 is hereby repealed as of July 1, 2025.
SECTION 3.
The parking meter rates set forth in the attached Exhibit A, are hereby adopted and become effective July 1, 2025.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Exhibit A: Parking Meter Rates
Version I Page 1 of 4
EXHIBIT A
The following parking meter rates are effective for parking meter zones established by Sacramento City Code section 10.40.010:
Base Parking Meter Hourly Rate
The base parking meter hourly rate is $3.00 per hour, effective during parking meter operating hours.
Tiered Parking Meter Rates
The tiered parking meter rates for short-term parking meters are effective throughout the parking meter zones. The tiered parking meter rates maintain the balance of the on-street parking supply, protect residents, preserve short-term use of on-street meters, encourage long- term parking in off-street facilities, and support local businesses. The tiered parking meter rates are as follows:
Tier 1 The base parking meter hourly rate, for the number of hours posted on the signage.
Tier 2 The Tier 2 rate is effective for one additional hour beyond the Tier 1 time and shall not be more than 25% above the average hourly rate of all city-owned garages. The garage rates vary based on expected occupancy.
Tier 3 The Tier 3 rate is effective any time after expiration of the Tier 2 hour and shall not be more than 50% above the Tier 2 rate.
Signage for tiered parking meters reflect the number of hours a vehicle may park at the base parking meter hourly rate (Tier 1) before subsequent tiered rates take effect:
1+ meter: Parking up to one hour at base parking meter hourly rate before Tier 2 is in effect. 2+ meter: Parking up to two hours at base parking meter hourly rate before Tier 2 is in effect. 3+ meter: Parking up to three hours at base parking meter hourly rate before Tier 2 is in effect. 4+ meter: Parking up to four hours at base parking meter hourly rate before Tier 2 is in effect.
Version I Page 2 of 4
Special Event Parking Meter Rates
All parking meters located within the Special Event Parking Zone are programmed to have the capability to charge a flat rate when expected attendance at the Golden 1 Center exceeds 10,000 attendees. When special event parking meter rates are in effect, the parking meters will activate the flat rate when the Tier 2 time is reached, with the exception of 1+ meters that will activate special event pricing at Tier 3.
The Special Event Parking Zone is defined as the area bounded by the Sacramento River on the west side, then bounded on the north side beginning at Richards Boulevard continuing east, then to the east side of Bercut Drive following east along Bannon Street turning into North D Street, the east boundary begins at 16th Street turns east on the north side of D Street then commences south along the east side of 19th Street, and the south boundary commences west along the south side of W Street to the Sacramento River. Within the Special Event Parking Zone are smaller zones, identified as Special Event Meter Zones, as described below in the attachment to this ordinance. Parking meters in this area will apply variable rates during qualifying special events, when such parking controls are necessary.
The special event parking meter flat rate is calculated as a percentage of the flat rate charged at City-owned garages during special events. The proximity of the parking meter from the event center determines the percentage amount.
The special event parking meter rates maintain the balance of the on-street parking supply, protect residents, preserve short-term use of on-street meters, encourage long-term parking in off-street facilities and support local businesses during increased parking demand.
The special event parking meter rate shall be in effect two hours before and during special events with expected occupancy of over 10,000 attendees at the Golden 1 Center. Payment of the flat rate will allow the vehicle to park until it departs from the parking space.
HOUR 1 HOUR 2 HOUR 3 HOUR 4 REMAINDER OF PARKING SESSION 1+ meter Tier 1 Tier 2 Special Event Parking Meter Flat Rate 2+meter Tier 1 Tier 1 Special Event Parking Meter Flat Rate 3+meter Tier 1 Tier 1 Tier 1 Special Event Parking Meter Flat Rate 4+ meter Tier 1 Tier 1 Tier 1 Tier 1 Special Event Parking Meter Flat Rate
SPECIAL EVENT PARKING METER RATE ACTIVATION POINT BASED ON METER TYPE 3 1+ Meters Rates during hour 1 (Tier 1) and hour 2 (Tier 2) shall not change. At hour 3 (Tier 3) rate will be the special event parking meter flat rate.
2+ Meters Rates during hour 1 and 2 (Tier 1) shall not change. At hour 3 (Tier 2) rate will be the special event parking meter flat rate.
3+ Meters Rates during the first three hours (Tier 1) shall not change. At the fourth hour (Tier 2) the rate will be the special event parking meter flat rate.
4+ Meters Rates during the first four hours (Tier 1) shall not change. At the fifth hour (Tier 2) the rate will be the special event parking meter flat rate.
The calculation of special event parking meter flat rates is as follows:
Special Event Meter Zone A (Old Sacramento):
Parking meters located in Special Event Meter Zone A shall charge a flat parking meter rate after expiration of the posted number of hours, with the exception of 1+ zone, as described above. The flat parking meter rate shall be 25% above the special event flat rate charged at City-owned garages.
Special Event Meter Zone B:
Parking meters located in Special Event Meter Zone B shall charge a flat parking meter rate after expiration of the posted number of hours, with the exception of 1+ zone, as described above. The flat parking meter rate shall be 25% above the special event flat rate charged at City-owned garages.
Special Event Meter Zone C*:
Parking meters located in Special Event Meter Zone C shall charge a flat parking meter rate after expiration of the posted number of hours, with the exception of 1+ zone, as described above. The flat parking meter rate shall be equal to the special event flat rate charged at City-owned garages.
Special Event Meter Zone D*:
Parking meters located in Special Event Meter Zone D shall charge a flat parking meter rate after expiration of the posted number of hours, with the exception of 1+ zone, as described above. The flat parking meter rate shall be 50% less than the special event flat rate charged at City-owned garages.
4 *Special event parking meter rates in Special Event Meter Zones C and D will be activated if an assessment of the affected area confirms a parking occupancy exceeding 85% of on-street parking spaces during the times and days of special events.
SPECIAL EVENT PARKING METER ZONES
Ordinance 2016-0033 August 23, 2016 Page 1 of 5
ORDINANCE NO. 2016-0033
Adopted by the Sacramento City Council
August 23, 2016
AN ORDINANCE RELATING TO PARKING METER RATES
The following parking meter rates are effective for parking meter zones established by Sacramento City Code section 10.40.010:
Base Meter Hourly Rate
The base meter hourly rate is $1.75 per hour - effective during parking meter operating hours.
Tier Based Meter Rates
The tier-based parking rates for short-term parking meters are effective throughout the parking meter zones. The tier-based parking rates maintain the balance of the on-street parking supply, protect residents, preserve short-term use of on-street meters, encourage long-term parking in off-street facilities, and support local businesses. The tier-based parking rates are as follows:
Tier 1 The base meter hourly rate, for the number of hours posted on the signage.
Tier 2 The Tier 2 rate is effective for one additional hour beyond the Tier 1 time and is equal to the average city-owned garage hourly rate. The garage rates vary based on expected occupancy.
Tier 3 The Tier 3 rate is effective after expiration of the Tier 2 hour and is 25% above the Tier 2 rate.
Signage for tier-based meters reflect the number of hours a vehicle may park at the Base Meter Hourly Rate (Tier 1) before subsequent tiered rates take effect:
1+ meter: Parking up to one hour at Base Meter Hourly Rate before Tier 2 is in effect. 2+ meter: Parking up to two hours at Base Meter Hourly Rate before Tier 2 is in effect. 3+ meter: Parking up to three hours at Base Meter Hourly Rate before Tier 2 is in effect. 4+ meter: Parking up to four hours at Base Meter Hourly Rate before Tier 2 is in effect.
Ordinance 2016-0033 August 23, 2016 Page 2 of 5
Special Event Meter Rates
All short-term meters located within Special Event Parking Zones are programmed to have the capability to charge a flat rate when expected attendance at the Sacramento Entertainment and Sports Center exceeds 15,000 attendees. When special event meter rates are in effect, the meters will activate the flat rate when the Tier 2 time is reached, with the exception of 1+ meters that will activate special event pricing at Tier 3.
The Special Event Parking Zone is defined as the area bound by the Sacramento River to the east side of 19th Street, from the north sides of Richards Boulevard to the south side of W Street, along with the east side of 16th Street to the east side of 19th Street, from the north side of D Street to the south side of W Street. Within the Special Event Parking Zone are smaller zones, identified as Special Event Meter Zones, as described in the attachment to this ordinance. Meters in this area will apply variable rates during qualifying special events, when such parking controls are necessary.
The special event meter flat rate is calculated as a percentage of the flat rate charged at City-owned garages during special events. The proximity of the meter from the event center determines the percentage amount.
The special event meter rates maintain the balance of the on-street parking supply, protect residents, preserve short-term use of on-street meters, encourage long-term parking in off-street facilities and support local businesses during increased parking demand.
The special event meter rate shall be in effect two hours prior to and during special events with expected occupancy of over 15,000 attendees at the Sacramento Entertainment and Sports Center. Payment of the flat rate will allow the vehicle to park until it departs from space.
HOUR 1 HOUR 2 HOUR 3 HOUR 4 HOUR 5
1+ meter $1.75 $3.00 Special Event Meter Flat Rate
2+meter $1.75 $1.75 Special Event Meter Flat Rate
3+meter $1.75 $1.75 $1.75 Special Event Meter Flat Rate 4+ meter $1.75 $1.75 $1.75 $1.75 Special Event Meter Flat Rate
SPECIAL EVENT METER RATE ACTIVATION POINT BASED ON METER TYPE Ordinance 2016-0033 August 23, 2016 Page 3 of 5
1+ Meters Rates during hour 1 (Tier 1) and hour 2 (Tier 2) shall not change. At hour 3 (Tier 3) rate will be the Special Event Meter flat rate.
2+ Meters Rates during hour 1 and 2 (Tier 1) shall not change. At hour 3 (Tier 2) rate will be the Special Event Meter flat rate.
3+ Meters Rates during the first three hours (Tier 1) shall not change. At the fourth hour (Tier 2) the rate will be the Special Event Meter flat rate.
4+ Meters Rates during the first four hours (Tier 1) shall not change. At the fifth hour (Tier 2) the rate will be the Special Event Meter flat rate.
The calculation of special event meter flat rates will be as follows:
Special Event Meter Zone A (Old Sacramento):
Tier-based meters located in Special Event Meter Zone A shall charge a flat meter rate after expiration of the posted number of hours, with the exception of 1+ zone, as described above. The meter flat rate shall be equal to 25% above the special event flat rate charged at City-owned garages.
Special Event Meter Zone B:
Tier-based meters located in Special Event Meter Zone B shall charge a flat meter rate after expiration of the posted number of hours, with the exception of 1+ zone, as described above. The meter flat rate shall be equal to 25% above the special event flat rate charged at City-owned garages.
Special Event Meter Zone C:
Tier-based meters located in Special Event Meter Zone C shall charge a flat meter rate after expiration of the posted number of hours, with the exception of 1+ zone, as described above. The meter flat rate shall be equal to the special event flat rate charged at City-owned garages.
Special Event Meter Zone D:
Tier-based meters located in Special Event Meter Zone D shall charge a flat meter rate after expiration of the posted number of hours, with the exception of 1+ zone, as described above. The meter flat rate shall be equal to 50% less than the special event rate charged at City-owned garages.
Activation of special event meter rates on any portion of a Special Event Meter Zone will be upon an assessment of the affected area that confirms a parking occupancy exceeding 85% of on-street parking spaces during special event times and days.
Ordinance 2016-0033 August 23, 2016 Page 4 of 5
SPECIAL EVENT PARKING METER ZONES
Ordinance 2016-0033 August 23, 2016 Page 5 of 5
Adopted by the City of Sacramento City Council on August 23, 2016, by the following vote:
Ayes: Members Ashby, Carr, Guerra, Hansen, Harris, Jennings, and Schenirer Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Member Warren and Mayor Johnson
Attest:
Shirley Concolino, City Clerk
Passed for Publication: August 16, 2016
Published: August 19, 2016
Effective: September 22, 2016
Shirley Concolino