Santa Monica : Council Hikes Meter Rates

It will soon cost more to park along Santa Monica’s streets and in public parking lots.

Where it now costs 10 cents an hour to park on the street, fees will jump to 35 cents. Meters that charge 20, 25 or 35 cents an hour will go to 50 cents. Those now charging 50 cents will be increased to 75 cents.

Meter rates for city parking structures in the downtown business district will remain at 25 cents per hour.

A staff study showed that the city’s meter and monthly permit fees were much lower than private lots and rates in other cities. In effect, the report concluded, the city of Santa Monica has been subsidizing parking.

In addition to changing meter fees, the City Council voted unanimously to prepare an ordinance that would raise parking rates in lots and would install meters on three streets that do not now have meters. These changes would go into effect July 1.

Annual revenues from the increased fees are expected to exceed $1 million.

Monthly parking permits in city-owned structures and lots and for on-street meter permits will go up by $10 to $30 per month.

In addition, meter parking along downtown streets, Main Street, Wilshire Boulevard and the beach areas will be enforced until midnight instead of 6 p.m.

The maximum amount charged for parking at the Civic Auditorium will go from $3 to $4.

According to the proposed plan, new meters will be installed on Pico Boulevard between Lincoln Boulevard and the eastern city limit, along Lincoln Boulevard from Pico Boulevard to the southern city limit and along Montana Avenue from 7th Street to 17th Street.

Implementation of the plan should cost about $600,000.