CLIPBOARD / HOW TO : GET A MUNICIPAL PARKING PERMIT

Summer may mean fun and sunshine for those visiting the shore, but for residents of beach communities it also means a lot of frustration. How can you wade through the beach-going throngs?

Some cities give residents the edge with municipal residency permits, which provide them access to parking or driving that non-residents do not have. The following lists the beach communities that issue permits to residents and what they allow you to do. Under residency requirements, proof of address is required in each city. Documents bearing your address--such as your driver’s license, a signed lease or a utility bill--are acceptable forms of proof.

SEAL BEACH Where to Get the Permit: The front counter at the Seal Beach Police Department, 911 Seal Beach Blvd.

Cost: Permits for the period of July, 1990, to June, 1991, were $10. Although the expiration date was June 30, they remain valid through July 31 until the rate for the new permits is determined. Permits are not prorated. Guest parking permits can also be purchased for $14, with a limit of two per household.

Residency Requirements: You must be a city resident.

What It Allows You to Do: Park on the one-hour only parking side of the street for as long as necessary. It does not exempt residents from the street-sweeping parking restrictions.

HUNTINGTON BEACH

The city has two types of permits:

What: Residency parking permits

Where to Get One: Beach Operations Headquarters at 103 Pacific Coast Highway.

Cost: $1, limit two per household. Guest permits are also available for $1, with a limit of two per household.

Residency Requirements: Must be a resident of the area bounded by Pacific Coast Highway, Orange Avenue and Lake and 3rd streets.

What It Allows You to Do: Park in any metered space in the city without putting money in the meter.

What: Municipal beach parking permits

Where to Get One: Beach Operations Headquarters

Cost: $50 for residents, $70 for non-residents for each calendar year. Special rates for senior citizens, $20 for residents and $40 for non-residents. They are not prorated. The permits will cost $10 more in each category in 1992.

Residency Requirements: Must be a city resident to get the residents’ rate.

What It Allows You to Do: Park for free in the municipal beach parking lot--on the west side of Pacific Coast Highway between the Huntington Beach Pier area and Beach Boulevard--if space is available. It also allows you to park in any metered space without putting money in the meter in the city’s “recreation zone,” bounded by Pacific Coast Highway, Palm Avenue, Beach Boulevard and Golden West Street.

NEWPORT BEACH The city has two types of permits:

What: Residency parking permit

Where to Get One: The Finance Department cashier at City Hall, 3300 Newport Blvd.

Cost: $10, with a limit of three per address.

Residency Requirements: The sticker is good for anyone living on the small Newport Island, which is entered by the 38th Street bridge.

What It Allows You to Do: Park on city streets on the island from May 15 to Sept. 15. The general public cannot park on the island during those months.

What: Residents-only lane sticker

Where to Get One: The Newport Beach Police Department, City Hall, the Fire Department and city library branches.

Cost: None

Residency Requirements: Must be a resident of the Balboa Peninsula (anyone living between 15th Street and the end of the peninsula).

What It Allows You to Do: This is different from the parking permits in that it allows residents to drive in a special lane along Balboa Boulevard from 15th Street to the end of the Balboa Peninsula on weekends, holidays and other busy nights during the summer months.

LAGUNA BEACH Where to Get One: The Finance Department cashier at City Hall, 505 Forest Ave.

Cost: $20 for a two-year permit. Years are from July 1 to June 30. Permits are not prorated.

Residency Requirements: Must be a city resident.

What It Allows You to Do: Park in any metered space in the city without putting money in the meter, but only for the duration of the meter. For example, if it is a two-hour meter, you can only park there for two hours, even if you have a sticker.

SAN CLEMENTE Where to Get One: The cashier at City Hall, 100 Avenida Presidio

Cost: $40 for each calendar year. Permits are not prorated.

Residency Requirements: Must be a city resident.

What It Allows You to Do: Park in any metered space in the city without putting money in the meter.