Manhattan Beach Approves Parking Overhaul, New 15-Minute Rule

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA — Manhattan Beach will replace its aging parking meters with centralized pay stations and introduce new restrictions on consecutive parking sessions after the City Council unanimously approved a sweeping overhaul of the city's paid parking system Wednesday.

In a 5-0 vote Nov. 4, councilmembers approved two resolutions establishing new paid parking zones and authorizing approximately 110 pay stations to replace more than 1,200 individual meters. The changes include a 15-minute cooling-off period that will prevent motorists from immediately purchasing another parking session in the same zone after reaching the maximum permitted time.

The decision follows months of planning and consultation with business groups, residents and the city's Parking and Public Improvements Commission. Under the approved parking framework, existing parking rates will remain unchanged, although certain public parking lots currently limited to two hours will allow stays of up to three hours.

How The New System Will Work

Motorists will be able to pay using the ParkMobile smartphone app or centralized pay stations accepting credit cards, debit cards, electronic payments and coins. Rather than paying at an individual meter, drivers will enter their license plate number and parking zone, allowing them to extend sessions remotely without returning to their vehicles, provided they remain within the posted time limit.

City Traffic Engineer Erik Zandvliet said the stations will be distributed throughout existing paid parking areas, including downtown, North Manhattan Beach, El Porto and other city parking facilities. The system will also allow enforcement officers to monitor parking electronically using license plate information, replacing the traditional practice of marking tires to determine how long vehicles have remained parked.

However, citations will still require an officer's judgment rather than being issued automatically.

A Compromise Over Parking Limits

Much of Wednesday's discussion centered on whether motorists should be permitted to repeatedly purchase parking without moving their vehicles. Councilmembers ultimately approved a 15-minute cooling-off period, during which a driver who has reached the maximum permitted time cannot purchase another session in the same zone.

The restriction does not extend the posted parking limit, and motorists who remain parked beyond that limit could still receive citations. Kelly Stroman, executive director of Downtown Manhattan Beach, urged councilmembers to consider customers visiting salons, medical offices and other businesses where appointments frequently exceed two hours.

While the council agreed to extend parking durations in certain lots, broader changes to street parking limits were deferred. Officials directed the Parking and Public Improvements Commission to revisit the issue in January, with particular attention to balancing customer convenience against the need for parking turnover.

Existing street parking limits and enforcement schedules will otherwise remain unchanged.

Installation Expected Around The Holidays

The city plans to install the new equipment during the coming weeks, with testing scheduled during the traditional holiday free-parking period. Zandvliet said the new system is expected to become operational after that period ends, although the precise transition will depend on installation and testing.

Officials also pledged to avoid disruptive construction around major holiday events, including the downtown holiday open house, pier lighting and fireworks show. The overhaul will change how residents and visitors pay for parking across Manhattan Beach, but Wednesday's debate made clear that the question of how long they should be allowed to stay is far from settled.

Related:

• Manhattan Beach To Replace 1,275 Parking Meters With 110 Pay Stations