City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: June 23, 2026
Agenda Item: 14.A
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: Christopher Dishlip, Director of Public Works, Mobility Division Subject: Approval of Establishment of Permit Parking Zone AAA and Adoption of Authorizing Resolution
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of no possibility of significant effect pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) and a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15301 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines;
2. Adopt the attached resolution establishing Preferential Parking Regulations; and
3. Establish Preferential Parking Zone AAA on Larkin Place with the regulation:
“No parking from 8:00 P.M. to 6:00 A.M., daily, except by permit.” Summary
Residents of Larkin Place have submitted a qualifying petition requesting establishment of permit parking regulations pursuant to Santa Monica Municipal Code Chapter 3.08.
Residents developed the petition in response to recurring overnight parking activity that has created ongoing neighborhood welfare concerns. Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 3.08.040 provides the City Council discretion to establish preferential / permit parking regulations when conditions related to traffic safety, environmental impacts, or neighborhood welfare warrant intervention.
Based on an assessment of the overall situation, staff recommends establishment of Preferential Parking Zone AAA on Larkin Place with overnight permit parking regulations intended to discourage recurring overnight occupancy of curb space, while preserving daytime public parking access.
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Background
The City uses preferential parking as a tool to manage parking conditions on residential streets, as authorized by Santa Monica Municipal Code Chapter 3.08 and the California Vehicle Code. These regulations are intended to address conditions that impact neighborhood livability, safety, and welfare associated with on-street parking activity.
Residents may petition to initiate a preferential parking zone at any time. Upon receipt of a petition representing two-thirds of the residential units on a block, staff evaluates existing conditions and consults with the petition representative regarding the request.
The City’s preferential parking ordinance also allows Council to consider public safety, environmental impacts, and neighborhood welfare impacts when determining whether preferential parking regulations are appropriate. Council retains broad legislative discretion in determining whether the reported conditions warrant establishment of a preferential parking zone.
Discussion
Residents of Larkin Place submitted a qualifying petition requesting overnight preferential parking regulations due to recurring overnight parking activity on the street.
Larkin Place is located north of San Vicente Boulevard approximately between 9th and 11th Streets.
Residents reported concerns including:
• overnight parking of vehicles for extended durations, • noise during late night and early morning hours,
• nuisance activity,
• conflicts between residents and vehicle occupants,
• reduced perception of neighborhood safety, and
• sanitation concerns.
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Staff have been advised that the concerns raised by residents are concentrated during overnight hours. As a result, staff recommends regulations focused specifically on the overnight period rather than broader daytime parking restrictions.
If adopted, the recommended regulation would institute the following guideline:
“No parking from 8:00 P.M. to 6:00 A.M., daily, except by permit.” This regulation would:
• preserve daytime public parking access,
• discourage recurring overnight occupancy of curb space, • provide residents with a permit mechanism for overnight parking needs, and • help address neighborhood livability and residential quality of life.
Alternatives Explored
Staff considered relying solely on existing parking enforcement and general municipal code enforcement mechanisms rather than establishing a preferential parking zone.
However, staff determined that approach may have limited practical effectiveness in addressing the recurring overnight conditions identified by residents absent clearly observable and independently enforceable violations.
Staff also considered whether additional outreach or parking occupancy analysis would materially assist in evaluating the request, but determined that the primary concerns identified by residents relate to neighborhood safety and welfare impacts associated with recurring overnight activity rather than traditional daytime parking demand conditions.
Preferential parking regulations may provide a practical tool to help manage recurring overnight activity and associated neighborhood impacts while preserving daytime public parking access and addressing the request from residents.
Next Steps
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If approved, preferential parking regulations would be implemented following:
• installation of signage,
• resident notification, and
• a grace period prior to enforcement.
Implementation is anticipated within approximately eight to ten weeks following Council approval.
Implementation of a Preferential Parking Zone AAA would result in costs associated with signage, permit administration, and enforcement activities performed by internal staff, the cost of which is expected to be absorbed in existing department budgets.
Staff intend to return to Council later this year for a holistic review of preferential parking policy within the City.
Environmental Review
The proposed project is exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), because it can be determined with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment. The proposed action consists of the establishment of preferential parking regulations on an existing public street and would not result in physical changes to the environment. In addition, Section 15301 exempts Class 1 projects from CEQA, which include the “operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures [or] facilities, including streets, sidewalks, bicycle and pedestrian trails, and similar facilities.”
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
There is no immediate financial impact or budget action necessary as a result of the recommended action. Preferential parking permit revenue will be deposited in the General Fund in account 01600004.403190. Staff will track and monitor the revenues.
Budget adjustments would be incorporated at mid-year or year-end FY 2026-27, as 5 of 5
needed.
Prepared By: Peter Dzewaltowski, Principal Transportation Planner Approved Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. RESO - Preferential Parking Zone AAA