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NewsTimes of San DiegoAugust 27, 2026San Diego

San Diego City Council committee advances ordinance to permanently ban paid parking at municipal beach and Mission Bay lots

A San Diego City Council committee has voted to advance an ordinance that would prohibit the city from charging for parking at over 50 municipal lots serving beaches and Mission Bay. The proposal, which now heads to the full City Council, was amended to remove a 2036 expiration date and to restrict the free parking benefit to city residents.

parkingpublic accessmunicipal budgetbeachesMission Bay
Read the full story at Times of San Diego

Why It Matters

The ordinance would permanently secure free public access to over 50 coastal parking lots, preventing the city from generating an estimated $10 million in annual revenue from parking fees at these locations.

Key Facts

  • The ordinance would apply to over 50 municipal lots, including La Jolla Shores, Windansea, Tourmaline, Fiesta Island, Mission Beach, Ocean Beach, and Mission Bay areas like Crown Point and De Anza Cove.
  • The proposal was amended to remove a 2036 expiration date, making the ban on paid parking permanent.
  • The committee restricted the scope of the ordinance to benefit only San Diego city residents.
  • The Independent Budget Analyst's Office estimated that paid parking at these locations could generate over $10 million in annual revenue.
  • The ordinance does not affect on-street parking meters or lots leased to third parties like SeaWorld or hotels.
  • The city retains the right to issue parking tickets, manage lots, and regulate commercial activities.
  • The Community Planners Committee approved the initiative by a vote of 22 to 2.
  • The city previously implemented paid parking at Balboa Park on January 5, 2024, to address a budget deficit.
  • The city agreed to eliminate Balboa Park parking fees by January 1, 2027, as part of a legal settlement.

Who's Mentioned

locationBalboa Park“Site of recent paid parking implementation and subsequent reversal”personKent Lee“City Councilmember who supported removing the 2036 expiration date”personRaul Campillo“City Councilmember and co-sponsor of the ordinance”personJoe LaCava“City Council President and co-sponsor of the ordinance”personVictoria LaBruzzo“President of the Community Planners Committee”personJillian Andolina“Representative from the Independent Budget Analyst's Office”locationSan Diego“Jurisdiction of the ordinance”