Parking Rates On The Rise In Laguna Beach

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — There are 3,016 parking spaces in Laguna Beach, and the city council has deemed meter pricing will go up by $1 per hour, effective immediately.

According to the city, daily metered street parking is available and enforced from 8 a.m.-7 p.m. (8 a.m.- 9 p.m. in July and August) at all meters.

Rates range from $1-$4.50 per hour. Most meters have a 3-hour limit.

The council also approved recommendations to raise parking rates as high as $5.60 an hour for next summer.

Projected revenue for the rise in costs could net the city approximately$3 million in revenue, the Daily Pilot reported. That money will go toward trolley funding, building more parking options, with more funds potentially allocated toward the city's wildfire mitigation plan.

This year, residents were able to download the city of Laguna Beach's parking app, free for all and promising to improve the ability to find open spaces.

Mayor Bob Whalen discussed raising rates for people who choose to pay as opposed to those who access the city's free options, while Councilwoman Toni Iseman raised ideas about increasing Treasure Island's garage parking and surface lots to $4 an hour, year-round. She requested the Act V parking lot remain priced at $10 over the weekend and $7 during summer weekends.

The Planning Commission was scheduled for issuing a coastal development permit on Dec. 4, based upon the newly approved rates.

The "Laguna Beach Parking App" is now free to download through the App Store and Google Play. You can also download the App at www.lagunabeachparking.net.