Preferential Parking Guidelines

Please read the guidelines below prior to submitting an application for a permit:

Preferential Parking Permits are issued only to residents who can provide the following documentation:

Proof of residency – current utility, phone, credit card bill or bank statement with your name and current Santa Monica residential address.

California Vehicle Registration reflecting your current Santa Monica Address (not Post Office Box). Temporary registration is not acceptable.

 

Residents must provide proof of residency when visiting Transportation Management Division.

Proof of residency is not requred for mail-in permit renewal, unless adding a new person to your record.

Vehicle registration must be provided when adding a new license plate to your record.

Citations for expired, lost, or late renewals are your responsibility.

 

Allowable Number of Permits 

1 residential permit for each vehicle registered.

2 visitor permits are allowed per household.

Up to 25 temporary, (date specific) one-day guest permits. Proof of residency is required. 

 

Placement of Permits

Residential permits and visitor permits must be hung from the rear-view mirror with the colored, numbered part of the permit facing the rear of the vehicle.

You may be cited if your permit is not displayed correctly.

Bumper sticker permits must be placed on the left rear bumper.

  

Open Office Hours

Monday through Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. / Fridays 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

  

Important Notes

If unable to park on your block you may park in your zone on streets within two blocks of your address. 

Make check or money order payable to: City of Santa Monica.  We accept Visa, MasterCard or Discover.  There is a $25.00 charge for returned checks.

You must pay outstanding parking citations before you can purchase permits.  Pay citations at the City Treasury (room 104) in City Hall.

Permits become invalid when the permit holder moves. You may not sell or transfer your permits.  Your visitor permits(s) are to be used by visitors to your home and will be confiscated by Parking Enforcement if you are loaning it to a student to park at the high school or college or using it to park at the hospital.

Lost permits are replaced once, at full cost.  Report stolen permits to Santa Monica Police Department.  There are no refunds for lost permits.

If you replace a vehicle that has a valid permit with a new vehicle, a free replacement permit may be obtained when you provide us with the valid registration for the new vehicle.

Refunds are processed thirty days after your check clears.  Credit card refunds are issued the same day at Room 115 of City Hall.  There are no refunds for partial-period use of permit.

You must obey all posted signs, the California Vehicle Code and the Santa Monica Municipal Code.

Preferential parking permits are not valid in City of Santa Monica parking structures or beach lots.  SMPD Traffic Services does not enforce Preferential Parking zones on Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

 

For questions about parking enforcement or tickets, please contact Santa Monica Traffic Services Division at 310/458-2226.