Resident Parking Programs

Free and discounted parking programs for city residents!

History

The City Council established the first Residential Permit Parking Program in July 1985. The program was established to limit the use of on-street parking in residential neighborhoods from business employees, students and non-residents of the neighborhood. A Residential Permit Parking Program allows residents to park on street with exceptions to the posted time limit or meter payment. If you live in an area with an approved residential permit parking program you may obtain residential permits from the Parking Division that will exempt you from the posted time limit.

How to Obtain a Residential Parking Permit: Residents must apply in person at the Parking Division located at 340 Tyler Street, Monterey. Office hours are Monday through Friday 8am-5pm.

With a few exceptions, most addresses in the Residential Permit Parking Program qualify for a residential decal for each registered vehicle and two (2) guest passes. Permits are only valid within a specific residential zone and are not honored City-wide.

Residents will be required to provide:

Proof of residency (lease/rental agreement; utility bill; property tax bill)
Valid photo identification.
Valid vehicle registration for each registered vehicle. The Vehicle must be registered to the resident obtaining the permit.

Guest passes are valid for a two-year cycle and the expiration date is printed on the permit. Guest passes are valid when displayed on the left front dashboard of the vehicle. Guest passes are valid for a two-year cycle and renewed guest passes are automatically sent to the mailing address provided to the Parking Division.

Rules and Restrictions of the Residential Permit Parking Program: If you receive a citation for failure to display your permit, contact the Parking Division within 21 days of the issue date in order to have the citation considered for dismissal. There is a $10 administrative fee to dismiss all citations. (Resolution 06-38) The Parking Division will not dismiss parking citations issued for expired permits.

Vehicles displaying a residential permit are subject to all other parking restrictions, i.e., 12/24-minute green zone, 20-minute yellow loading zone, disabled spaces and red zones. Vehicles are not allowed to park in the same space, on-street and/or off-street City lots and garages for longer than 72 consecutive hours per Monterey City Code 20-72. This applies to ALL residential zones, regardless of permits, and is enforced City-wide. There is a $10 dollar replacement cost for any permit that is lost/stolen/damaged or that needs to be replaced. (Resolution 94-84). Residential Parking Permits are not available for vehicles used primarily for commercial purposes, (taxis, limos, etc.) recreation vehicles or commercial trucks. It should be noted that, per City Council Policy, the residential parking program is enforced on a random basis; however, when available, staff will respond to citizens’request for enforcement. Please contact Parking Enforcement at 831-646-5695.

Petitions for New Permit Areas: Residential block(s) that are impacted by vehicles that are not residents or guests of the neighborhood may apply to have their block(s) designated for the residential parking program. The program requires that a majority (50% + 1) of the households on that block(s) sign a petition requesting the program. The Parking Division will then conduct parking studies to determine if the block(s) meets the minimum average of 70% of all spaces occupied. Please visit our link for the petition for residential parking program.

Residential block(s) that are impacted by vehicles that are not residents or guests of the neighborhood may apply to have their block(s) designated for the residential parking program. The program requires that a majority (50% + 1) of the households on that block(s) sign a petition requesting the program. The Parking Division will then conduct parking studies to determine if the block(s) meets the minimum average of 70% of all spaces occupied.

Once designated, a resident living on that block, may apply for a residential parking permit. The permit decal is permanently affixed to the left rear bumper and would exempt the resident vehicle from the posted time limit restrictions and is only valid on the block where the resident lives. Two (2) visitor permits will also be issued to each residence. These permits are to be placed on the left front dashboard of your visitor’s vehicle to exempt them from the time limit. It is the resident’s responsibility to see that the guest permits are returned to him/her for re-use.

Even though only one side of the street may be posted, residents from both sides are eligible for permits and may use either side of the street for parking. The intent of this program is to provide some reasonable parking for both short-term visitors to the area and to the residents on these blocks. Vehicles displaying a residential permit are subject to all other parking restrictions, i.e., 12/24-minute green zone, 20-minute yellow loading zone, disabled spaces and red zones and vehicles parked in excess of 72 hours (City Code 20-72). The Parking Division will not dismiss parking citations issued for expired permits.

Residential Parking Program Procedures:

Obtain and complete a Residential Parking Program Application for your block. Download an application or pick one up at the Parking Division Office located at 340 Tyler Street in the Downtown West Garage. For more information call 646-3953.
Once the block is approved for Residential Parking Program, residents must provide the following documentation to participate in the program:

Written proof of residency (rental agreement, property tax bill or equivalent documentation of ownership, current utility bill or phone bill). The document must show physical street address; No P.O. Boxes will be accepted.
Current DMV Vehicle Registration for each vehicle. The vehicle must be registered to the resident
Valid photo identification.

It should be noted that, per City Council Policy, the residential parking program is enforced on a random basis; however, when available, staff will respond to citizens’ request for enforcement.

The City of Monterey offers a parking program which allows Monterey residents, with the purchase of a discount parking permit, a maximum of two hours of free parking, per day, per parking facility. The discount parking pass is honored in the Downtown Garages, both East and West, the Waterfront Automated Lot (at Washington & Del Monte) and the Cannery Row Garage (at Foam & Prescott).

A resident discount parking permit can be purchased at the Parking Division Office located at 340 Tyler Street, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. To qualify, residents must reside within the City of Monterey and provide written proof of residency (utility bill, rental agreement), current DMV vehicle registration (registered to the resident) along with Valid ID. These documents must be in the name of the resident to obtain the discount parking pass. All active military personnel and their immediate family are also eligible for this program with valid military ID card and vehicle registration. To register online please use this form: https://forms.gle/BpVMu9sytP4RwMr88

There is an annual $20 fee charge for each discount parking permit. The permit is valid for 12 months from the date of issue. This program cannot be combined with any other special parking programs (locals or first hour free) or validations.

For more information on this or any parking program, please call the Parking Division at 646-3953.