In 2010, the final measures for the Downtown Parking Management Plan (PDF) were implemented, culminating a two-year parking study for optimizing usage of public parking lots and on-street parking spaces. This plan included measures such as the Downtown Residential Override Parking Program (PDF), merchant parking programs in the City owned parking lots and structures, changes to the parking meter rates and meter enforcement times, the installation of new meters in un-metered locations, the addition of green vehicle parking spaces, and the implementation of new and improved directional parking signs with a clear and distinctive identity throughout the Downtown area.

For more information please contact Mr. Erik Zandvliet, T.E., City Traffic Engineer at (310) 802-5521 or by email at traffic@manhattanbeach.gov.

 What are Parking Pads? 

 A parking pad is a paved surface in the public right-of-way that is accessible by a vehicle from the roadway and does not lead to a garage or parking space on private property. 

Parking pads are a fairly unique feature in several areas of the City on streets where there are no curbs. While many of them are customized with decorative pavements and features, they are still public parking spaces located within the street right-of-way and must remain open to the public, just as if they were located along the curbside. In the Sand, Dune and Tree sections, these parking spaces help fill a critical demand for public parking, and we need everyone’s cooperation to guarantee that all public spaces are used to their full potential.   

Parking pads are public parking spaces and shall not be used for any other purpose, such as for reserved private parking, patios or private yards, even though it may seem like it is part of a front yard.  Consequently, residents also have a right to park on the public parking pads in front of other homes.  Vehicles parked on parking pads are subject to the same vehicle laws and restrictions as if they are parked on the street pavement, including the 72-hour maximum parking time limit. A parking pad is not the same as a driveway, however, which provides private access to a garage or carport (and private parking).

Public Parking Pad Signs Posted in Dune Section

In an effort to reduce illegal privatization of parking pads in the Dune Section, the City has initiated a three E’s campaign (Engineering, Education and Enforcement): 

1. New signs have been fabricated and are being installed on each street entering the Dune Section to inform citizens of the legality of parking pads.
2. Letters have been sent to residents in the Dune Section who have additional questions about certain locations.
3. Code and Parking Enforcement Officers are identifying pads being used for private purposes and are sending notices or issuing citations to violators.
4. Certain ambiguous spaces that may appear private will be labeled with a "PUBLIC PARKING" stencil for clarity.

Residents with parking pads on private property will be allowed to keep their private parking signs in place. We believe this multi-disciplinary solution will maximize the availability of public parking for all residents and help ease tensions between neighbors. Thank you in advance for keeping these parking pads open for all users.  

For more information, please contact the City Traffic Engineer, Erik Zandvliet at (310) 802-5522 or by email at traffic@manhattanbeach.gov.