New parking rules hit San Diego neighborhoods
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Several San Diego neighborhoods now have fewer free parking options — and others will soon see reductions — as the city continues to overhaul how it manages meters.
Why it matters: Drivers should plan to pay more when they go out on evenings and on Sundays and should pay close attention to the meters because the rollout is staggered.
Driving the news: The city has extended meter times by two hours in Pacific Beach (until 10pm) and added Sunday enforcement.
- The two-hour extension (until 8pm) around Mid-City — North Park, South Park, Normal Heights, City Heights, College Area and other neighborhoods — will be completed by Wednesday. Sunday enforcement will only be on El Cajon Boulevard.
- The new rules will hit commercial areas downtown and in Uptown, which includes Hillcrest, Mission Hills and Bankers Hill, by Oct. 1. The phased rollout is due to updating signage and meters.
Catch up quick: City Council approved a major parking reform package in June, giving the city the power to extend meter prices, hours and days. Now, the changes are being implemented.
- Street parking rates doubled earlier this year; paid parking is coming to Balboa Park, the Zoo and Mission Bay Park; and it'll cost $10 an hour to park around Petco Park during Padres games and other big events starting Sept. 1.
- It's all part of city officials' effort to balance the budget by generating an expected tens of millions of dollars in revenue. Officials estimated the extended hours and metering on Sundays will bring in $3.2 million for Fiscal Year 2026.
- The additional meter revenue will also help pay for "long-overdue street, sidewalk and other infrastructure improvements" in the areas where the money is collected, according to the city.
Between the lines: The new meter changes could help free up more parking during busy times in these neighborhoods, where drivers often spend time circling to find a spot.
Zoom out: The city says it's also trying to better align with other major cities in California.
- Downtown Los Angeles meter rates range from 50 cents to $6 an hour depending on the location, while San Francisco uses "demand-responsive pricing" between about $2 and $11 an hour, City News Service reports.
The intrigue: Residents in affected neighborhoods will be able to buy annual parking permits ($9) once Sunday enforcement extends from commercial to residential areas, the Union-Tribune reported.
What we're watching: The mayor's staff is looking into giving city residents exemptions or discounts for the new parking fees, though that would significantly reduce the expected revenue.