Frequently Asked Questions for the Proposed East San Rafael Residential Parking Permit Program
General Parking, Program Rationale, and Timeline
Q: What is the purpose of the proposed Residential Parking Permit (RPP) program?
The proposed RPP program aims to rebalance residential parking demand by encouraging parking in the Commercial and Kerner areas through safety improvements and incentives.
Q: How will this program solve parking shortages?
Analysis of parking conditions in East San Rafael determined that there is sufficient total parking supply in East San Rafael to serve total residential parking needs; the factor to rebalance is regarding where residents are parking. The perceived “parking shortage” is about residents being able to find convenient parking close to their residence. The program aims to rebalance parking supply and demand by ensuring residents with residential permits can find a parking space in their Zone and encouraging households with additional vehicles to park farther away.
Q: Who ultimately makes the decision on implementing the program?
The decision will be made by City Council.
Q: Is there still an opportunity to reject the parking permit program altogether?
Yes, City Council has the ability to either approve the program, direct staff to develop other alternatives, or not adopt the proposed parking program.
Q: What other options were considered?
- Permit parking program conditions proposed by a Spinnaker Point resident
- Traditional Residential Parking Permit (RPP) program
- Incorporating underutilized off-street parking locations for overnight use
- Security improvements to underutilized parking locations
- Long-term efforts to lobby for a capped price on private residential parking spaces
- Lottery system for permit allocation
- Dedicated locations for work truck parking
- Higher permit capacity for multi-family home areas than single-family home areas
- Building parking garages
- Shuttle programs to existing garages
Q: If this program is approved, what is the timeline for implementing it?
Program implementation would be based on City Council direction. If approved, an anticipated program could launch within six months of the City Council approval. The timeline will depend on planning for community outreach activities, implementation of minimum infrastructure and services to improve safety in Zone 2 (Commercial and Kerner), and permit management system implementation timing.
Q: What is the long-term solution to parking issues in East San Rafael?
The long-term strategy to addressing parking in East San Rafael involves rebalancing supply and demand, as well as an adaptable approach that responds to how program changes impact parking behavior along the way. The first steps include implementing the RPP program to limit vehicles in high demand areas and increasing the safety and utilization of areas such as Kerner Blvd and Windward Way. After these improvements are made, parking behavior and community input will be evaluated to identify what the next steps are to continue the long-term strategy of rebalancing parking supply and demand.
In parallel, improving the usage of underutilized private lots through shared parking agreements—such as those belonging to businesses in Zone 2—for overnight residential parking will unlock more parking space that is closer to the residential areas of Zone 1.
Q: Why is this program being implemented in this neighborhood and not others? Is it discriminatory?
The residential permit parking program is designed with the potential to be expanded to other areas of the City as needed. Community members in East San Rafael have consistently voiced concerns about worsening parking conditions in their neighborhoods. In response, the San Rafael City Council identified this issue as a priority in its 2023-2025 Goals and Objectives, specifically committing to “assess the feasibility and revise the City’s current residential parking permit program to address overcrowding of neighborhood parking in a cost-neutral and equitable manner.”
This effort is a direct response to the requests from East San Rafael community members for solutions to ongoing parking challenges. The proposal is not final and will not move forward without community support. If proven effective, the program could serve as a model for other neighborhoods experiencing similar issues.
Q: Does this program impose restrictions on vehicle access or property rights?
No, the program does not restrict vehicle access to private property. The intent is to manage on-street parking availability.
Q: What will the permit application process be like?
Applicants will be able to access a website (or visit Parking Services in-person) to submit the following: a valid California Driver’s License, proof of residency at the residential address that they specify on the application, vehicle registration, and proof of participation to programs such as SSI, Medi-Cal, Food Stamps, CARE/FERA, or WIC to be eligible for low-income pricing. Upon documentation review, the applicant will receive a response and, if approved, be eligible to purchase a permit.
Q: How does this program impact undocumented individuals visiting or working in the neighborhood?
Individuals who require a residential permit need to provide a valid California Driver’s License, which can be obtained by individuals without proof of legal presence in the US per AB 60 (they also must provide other application documentation, as described in this FAQ entry). Individuals who require a guest permit only need to provide the license plate of the vehicle.
Residential Permits
Q: Will every household be guaranteed at least one permit, or is there a risk that some residents won’t be able to get one?
This depends on the zone that you live in. Each Zone 2 household is able to purchase up to two (2) permits per household. For Zone 1, while each household may purchase up to one (1) permit, there are more households than available on-street parking spaces. To maximize access, households with sufficient off-street parking are encouraged to abstain from purchasing a permit or consider a Periphery Permit (enables parking in Zone 2) instead. Individuals in Zone 1 may purchase any number of Periphery Permits.
Q: Are permits sold on a first-come, first-served basis?
An option for implementation suggests that the initial program would offer permits on a first-come, first-served basis within the Zone’s purchase period. Households would be given a certain date range to purchase their first permit. If, at the end of this period, more permits are available for the associated Zone, the City may determine a process for allocating any remaining permits. However, given the number of permits available and the current number of cars parking in the area, we do not anticipate there being any additional permits left over. If needed, certain permit types may be released in phases, with Zone 1 and Zone 2 permits issued before periphery permits.
Q: Will I be able to purchase a permit for my work truck?
Permits will only be applicable to vehicles that fit within the designated parking space markings, which measure nine feet (9′) by nineteen feet (19′).
Q: Does a parking permit guarantee a parking space?
A parking permit provides an allowance to park within the permit’s zone; it does not guarantee a specific parking space.
Q: Will every parking space in the designated zones require a permit?
The proposed program suggests that all on-street spaces—and certain off-street locations (e.g., Albert J. Boro Community Center, private lots as part of shared parking agreements)—in the permit parking zones will require a valid permit during permit-only parking restriction hours. These are identified for each zone on the community meeting presentation posted online (link here). Any exception spaces will be marked, or signs will be posted.
Guest Passes
Q: How do guest passes work?
A detailed explanation is provided on the community meeting presentation posted online (link here). The City is still exploring how guest passes could work for this program.
Q: Why are guest passes required, where does the information go, and what happens if a guest is not registered?
Guest passes are required to ensure that guests are not mistakenly issued citations under the proposed residential permit parking program. Information received as part of the guest pass registration includes the vehicle license plate, the dates the pass shall be in effect, and the associated household address. This information is recorded with Parking Services, not law enforcement. If a guest’s vehicle is not registered, they may be subject to a citation, as their vehicle would not be recognized as belonging to an approved guest. The registration process helps manage parking and maintain fair access for residents and their guests.
Q: What happens during holidays when a surplus of people will be wanting to purchase a guest pass?
The City is evaluating how to address high-demand weekends and may open the application window in advance.
Q: If I have visitors staying for the weekend, do I need to purchase multiple guest passes?
Yes, each guest vehicle will require purchase of as many guest passes for the nights that they are staying. The availability of guest passes is not guaranteed, as the City would be managing the total capacity of guest passes per day to prevent overselling.
Q: What happens if there is a technician or contractor working at my home during permit-only hours?
The proposed program at present would require the technician or contractor to be assigned a guest pass. However, a contractors’ permit could be considered.
Q: Does the program impose limits on guest visitation hours?
No, the program does not impose a curfew on guests. The proposed 6 p.m. restriction applies to external vehicles parking in the area to ensure available parking for residents and their guests. The program is still under review, and feedback is being considered to refine guest parking options.
Zone and Equity Considerations
Q: How were the permit zones determined? Why are Baypoint and Spinnaker grouped with the Canal neighborhood instead of being treated as separate residential areas?
Permit zones are typically determined based on parking utilization, such as occupancy levels. For the proposed RPP program, two zones were established to manage demand: Zone 1 covers areas with high parking congestion, including Canal, Bahia, Spinnaker, and Baypoint, while Zone 2 includes areas with lower demand. The goal is to shift parking pressure from Zone 1 to Zone 2.
For this initial phase, using larger zones was considered the most equitable approach, as smaller zones could create uneven demand, complicating the program and increasing costs. The proposed boundaries may be adjusted in future iterations. Zone 1 identifies the areas with the highest parking demand/congestion, which include Canal, Bahia, Spinnaker, and Baypoint.
Q: How does this program benefit Spinnaker and Baypoint residents?
Some concerns raised by Spinnaker and Baypoint residents included the lack of available on-street parking in their neighborhood, vehicles being used to “reserve” parking spaces by cycling in and out of the same parking spaces, and the prevalence of work trucks in their neighborhood. The proposed RPP program aims to address these through the following:
- Available on-street spaces: Currently, spaces are on a first-come, first-served basis. Permits would limit the number of vehicles eligible to park in the zone, reducing congestion from vehicles circling the neighborhood looking for a space. Additionally, the City’s decision to cap the number of permits per zone available at 10% less than the total parking inventory in the zone further encourages availability beyond what is provided today and supports guest parking.
- Reserving parking spaces: Given that each household would at maximum hold 1 permit per household in Zone 1 (where Spinnaker and Baypoint are located), households cannot “reserve” parking spaces in the same way by having one vehicle parked all day and switching it out for another vehicle at night.
- Work trucks: It is the intention of the program to focus on shifting parking demand to underutilized public on-street and private off-street locations, such as Kerner Blvd and commercial lots for businesses that do not operate overnight. For this to take effect, the City needs to implement additional enforcement operating hours and invest in improvements such as lighting and security infrastructure.
The proposed RPP program combines both a policy limiting on-street public parking as well as incentives to encourage parking in overflow locations in order to help shift parking demand and take steps to alleviating parking congestion in East San Rafael.
Q: Will commercial vehicles and work trucks from the Canal be eligible for permits in Baypoint and Spinnaker?
Permits will only be issued to vehicles that fit within the designated parking space markings, which measure nine feet (9′) by nineteen feet (19′).
Enforcement and Financial Considerations
Q: How strictly will permits be enforced? What is the enforcement policy for unregistered or non-permitted vehicles?
Enforcement will be expanded to include evening and nighttime coverage with the proposed addition of one (1) full-time Parking Enforcement Officer (and the necessary equipment). The enforcement plan is proposed to include an educational phase, which is focused on warnings and outreach, and then will transition into issuing citations. Consistent parking enforcement is the intention in order to ensure compliance and increase the effectiveness of the program.
Unregistered vehicles and vehicles parked in excess of 72 hours are subject to tow. Vehicles parked in violation of permit parking restrictions will be subject to a $50 fine under the proposed citation fine schedule.
Q: Will unregistered vehicles be allowed to park on public streets?
No, unregistered vehicles will not be eligible for a parking permit. Active vehicle registration will be required to obtain a permit under the program. Additionally, per California Vehicle Code 4000(a)(1), all vehicles must have current registration with valid tags to be legally parked or operated on public streets. Failure to comply may result in citations, and in some cases, the vehicle may be impounded.
Q: What is the financial impact of the proposed RPP program?
A 4-year financial projection is included in the community meeting presentation (link can be found online here).
Q: How much has the City paid Dixon Resources Unlimited for consulting on this project?
The current professional services agreement between the City and DIXON is for the contract amount not to exceed $150,000.
Q: What measures will be in place to address hostile or aggressive behavior related to parking disputes?
Hostile or aggressive behavior is a law enforcement issue. If you come across this behavior and feel threatened in any way, please contact the Police Department immediately.