CITY ATTORNEY
Sonia R. Carvalho
CITY MANAGER
Alvaro Nuñez
CITY CLERK
Jennifer L. Hall
20 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA - P.O. BOX 1988, M31 - SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA 92702 TELEPHONE (714) 647-6900 - FAX (714) 647-6954 - www.santa-ana.org Councilmember-Requested Item Report
DATE
July 7, 2026
TOPIC
Residential Permit Parking Program – Alternative Permit Format Evaluation
COUNCILMEMBER-REQUESTED ITEM TITLE
Discuss and Consider Directing the City Manager to Replace the Current Residential Parking Permit Sticker System with a Hanging Placard System Displayed from a Vehicle’s Rearview Mirror and Take All Necessary Actions to Implement the Transition
DISCUSSION
The City's Residential Permit Parking Program currently requires residents to affix parking permit stickers to their vehicles. While effective for identifying authorized vehicles, the current system creates privacy and safety concerns by visibly identifying vehicles associated with specific residential permit parking districts.
Additionally, residents have expressed concerns regarding the appearance of permanent decals on their vehicles and the inconvenience associated with transferring permits when vehicles are sold, replaced, or temporarily unavailable.
A hanging placard system, like disabled parking placards, provides a practical and resident-friendly alternative while maintaining the City's ability to enforce permit parking regulations. Such a system eliminates the need for permanent vehicle decals, allows permits to be easily transferred between vehicles when appropriate, and improves the overall appearance of participating vehicles without compromising enforcement.
This approach has already been implemented successfully by neighboring jurisdictions.
The City of Orange utilizes a residential permit parking program that issues hanging placards to residents rather than requiring permanent vehicle decals. The program has operated effectively while continuing to support parking enforcement, and the city also administers permit registration and renewals through an established online system, demonstrating that a placard-based program is both practical and manageable.
Adopting a similar model would align the city with a proven regional practice while providing residents with greater flexibility and convenience.
Upon Council direction, the City Manager shall take the necessary steps to transition the Residential Permit Parking Program from adhesive vehicle stickers to a hanging placard system, including updating administrative procedures, coordinating enforcement, and preparing any Municipal Code amendments necessary to implement
CITY ATTORNEY Sonia R. Carvalho CITY MANAGER Alvaro Nuñez CITY CLERK Jennifer L. Hall 20 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA - P.O. BOX 1988, M31 - SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA 92702 TELEPHONE (714) 647-6900 - FAX (714) 647-6954 - www.santa-ana.org the new permit format. Staff shall return to the City Council only as needed to approve any required ordinance amendments or other actions necessary to complete implementation. SUBMITTED BY Mayor Pro Tem David Peñaloza EXHIBIT(S)
Sample Colors
GREEN -PANTONE 334 C RED- PANTONE 485 C PEARL HARBOR GOLD- PANTONE 142 C BLUE-PANTONE 293 C YELLOW-PANTONE 110 C ORANGE/SALMON-PANTONE 166 C PURPLE-PANTONE 512 C MEDIUM BROWN-PANTONE 724 C PAN AM SKY BLUE-PANTONE 297 C MEDIUM –BLUE PANTONE 2925 C CITY ATTORNEY Sonia R. Carvalho CITY MANAGER Alvaro Nuñez CITY CLERK Jennifer L. Hall 20 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA - P.O. BOX 1988, M31 - SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA 92702 TELEPHONE (714) 647-6900 - FAX (714) 647-6954 - www.santa-ana.org