Changes to Waterfront Parking Rules

By edhat staff

Waterfront parking rules will significantly change on January 1, 2020, to include vehicle size limits and specific types of vehicles.

After five public meetings over the course of five months, the Santa Barbara City Council approved the parking amendments as many committees reported an increase in parking demands and people taking advantage of loopholes.

The growing popularity of local watersports, emergence of the Funk Zone as a tourist destination, and reopening of Lower State Street are credited with a considerable increase in waterfront parking. Residents and businesses were recognized for taking advantage of a Waterfront General Permit for storing vehicles and storing goods/merchandise inside vehicles, opposed to on-street parking or proper vehicle storage.

The new parking regulations will not allow RVs, buses, motorhomes, campers, house cars, or any vehicles exceeding 22 feet in length to purchase an annual waterfront parking permit. Instead, these types of vehicles would need to adhere to the standard hourly and daily rates.

The General Annual Parking Permit will also no longer allow parked vehicles to exceed the 72-hour limit in the Harbor Main Lot. Previously, permit holders could park longer after receiving permission. The permission was intended for those on extended marine-related activities such as a multi-day sailing or diving trip. However, most people used this when leaving town and did not want to store their vehicle at the airport or another location.

The complete ordinance can be found here.