Preferential Parking Permit

 For additional information on any of these topics, or other Parking Permit Program questions, please call Richard Solis, in the Engineering Division's Traffic Engineering Section, at (310) 253-5615, send your written correspondence to Parking Permit Program, Traffic Engineering, 9770 Culver Boulevard, Culver City, California 90232, or send an e-mail.

Who manages the Parking Permit Program?
The Program, adopted by the City Council, is operated and managed by the Engineering Division.

What documentation do I need to provide when purchasing my parking permit?
You will need 1) a valid California Driver's License; 2) a valid vehicle registration for each vehicle for which you will purchase a parking permit (two maximum); 3) two proofs to substantiate that you reside in the permit parking district, such as property tax bill, rental lease, utility bill or other formal documents.  Your driver's license and vehicles' registration must show your Culver City home address.

Where is my parking permit valid?
Within a preferential parking zone, your parking permit allows you to park for a period of time beyond the time limit indicated on the signs on the block (1-hour, 2-hours, or other), but only when the signs posted indicate "Except By Permit" or "Permit Exempt."  At this time, the permit may only be used on the street on which you live. Also, please be aware that possessing a valid parking permit does not guarantee a parking space.

If the posted time-limited parking restriction signs on a block do not indicate "Except By Permit" or "Permit Exempt,” then your parking permit does not give you privileges to park on such blocks beyond the posted parking limitation.  In this case, you are required to comply with the parking limitation posted.  Similarly, your permit does not exempt you from parking at fire hydrants, red curbs, blue curbs, loading zones, or when street sweeping occurs, among other restrictions. There is no grace period.

What is different about this year's permit?
The new 2011 parking permit hang tag contains a full-color City seal on a green background.  Further, the hang tag contains a security holographic film on the façade of the hang tag in order to prevent duplication. Also the new guest parking passes have a security seal on it to prevent duplication.

For how long is my parking permit valid?
Annual parking permit hang tags are valid through December 31 of the year noted on the permit. 

Where in my vehicle must I place my parking permit tag?
The parking permit tag must hang from the rear-view mirror, facing out so that it is visible to Parking Enforcement personnel.  Parking Enforcement personnel will look for it only in this location.  If it is anywhere else, including on the dashboard, it will not be seen and the vehicle will be cited.  If your vehicle is cited because your parking permit tag is not in the proper place, the citation will be considered proper and valid. 

Why are the Parking Permit Tags numbered and why does it list my street name on the front?
Because of the portability of this type of parking permit, it is important that the City be able to link the parking permit tag to a specific vehicle/residence.  Your parking permit is valid only on the street on which you reside and only on the specific vehicle to which assigned.  The street is indicated on the hang tag so that parking enforcement can easily determine if a vehicle is authorized to park on your street.  Any alteration of the permit hang tag, such as removal of the street name, will automatically void the permit and a citation will be issued.

There is a note on the back of the Tag that reads “IMPORTANT:  REMOVE TAG BEFORE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION.”  Why?
The California Vehicle Code, Section 26708(2), states that, “No person shall drive any motor vehicle with any object or material placed, displayed, installed, affixed, or applied in or upon the vehicle which obstructs or reduces the driver's clear view through the windshield or side windows.”

I just moved to a street with permit parking in Culver City.  Can I obtain a parking permit?
Yes, you can.  You still need to provide the documents indicated in Q2, at the time of application.  The permit issued to you will be temporary and subject to revocation, contingent upon you providing evidence that you updated your address with the Department of Motor Vehicles (on-line is acceptable), and a revised vehicle registration which shows your new address in Culver City.  The temporary permit may be valid for up to 45 days.  If you do not provide the evidence and updated vehicle registration, your permit will be revoked.  If you need a short extension due to extenuating circumstances, please request it in writing to the address/e mail indicated on page one of this document.  Be aware that State law requires that you update your home address with the Department of Motor Vehicles and update your vehicles registration within 10 days from the day you move.

How long does it take to obtain my parking permit?
Generally, you will be able to purchase a permit over-the-counter, and the time it takes will vary depending on how many other customers arrived before you and the complexity of the matter for which they need assistance.  Occasionally, our public counter is closed for lunch; you may want to call (310) 253-5600 prior to your arrival, to confirm that we are open during lunch.  Although most of the time we will be able to accommodate your request to purchase a parking permit over-the-counter, there may be some exceptions, such as during the peak renewal period for the Permit Parking Program, between December and the end of January, and when staff is working on time-sensitive deadlines.  In such cases, we may need one or two business days to process your permit application.  If you renew your parking permit by mail and we receive your renewal application by the end of the second week of December, you may receive your permits by the end of December or during the first week of January.  If we receive your renewal application in the mail after mid-December, you will receive your permits in January.

Who can buy parking permits?
The City Council, by Resolution, mandated that only persons who reside within an adopted parking permit district are eligible to purchase parking permits.  A maximum of two annual permits may be purchased by each household at a cost of $17 per vehicle.  The fee may be adjusted annually by the City Council.

Can my guests and visitors park on my street without being cited?
Yes, your guests may park on your preferential parking street beyond the posted time-limited parking restrictions indicated on the sign posts, if you issue them a paper guest parking permit when they will be parked for longer than the posted restriction allows.

For how long are guest parking permits valid?
One-day guest parking permits are only valid for the one-calendar day for which the qualifying resident issues them.  Three-day guest parking permits will only be valid for the three consecutive calendar days the issuing resident indicates.  With either guest pass, please be sure to fill out all fields on the guest parking passes in ink – if fields are left blank or not filled out in ink, the guest pass will be invalid and your guest's vehicle may be cited.

How many Guest Parking Permits (paper guest passes) can I get?
Residents in a preferential parking district may obtain 12 paper guest passes per calendar quarter.  The total of 12 may be any combination of 1-day and 3-day guest parking permits you desire.  Currently, guest parking permits are provided at no additional cost.  However, the City Council may, at their discretion, adopt a fee for guest parking permits in the future.

Where should the paper guest passes be placed within the vehicle?
Paper guest passes must be placed on the driver's side of the dashboard and be clearly visible and readable through the windshield.  Guest passes must have all fields filled out in ink.

What if I run out of guest parking permits during the calendar quarter and I have a small gathering?
Once per calendar quarter in case of an emergency or in case of special circumstances, the City Engineer, at his discretion, may issue you up to 12 additional guest passes.

Can I use my paper guest parking permits on my own vehicles?
No, you may not.  Guest Parking Permits are for your guests and visitors, only.  The permits indicate this limitation at the bottom of the paper pass.  Misuse of guest parking permits by placing them on your own vehicles will result in your vehicle being cited.

Can I share my guest parking permits with my friend who works nearby so that he can park on my street?
No, you may not.  Guest Parking Permits are for your guests and visitors, only.  The permits indicate this limitation at the bottom.  Misuse of guest parking permits will not prevent your friend's vehicle from being cited.  Additionally, your guest parking permits may not be given or sold to employees who work in the vicinity, or to anyone, so that they may park on your street.  Misuse of the permits will be cause for revocation of your Annual Permits.

I'm planning a gathering in my home.  What do I do to make sure my guests don't get a citation?
It depends on the number of vehicles you expect your guests to arrive in.  If it is 12 or less, issue each vehicle a one-calendar-day guest-parking permit.  If it is a larger number, please contact Traffic Engineering, as listed in the beginning of this document to request suspension of permit parking enforcement.  There is a fee for this suspension, as adopted by the City Council.  If the gathering is funeral-related, call the Traffic Bureau of the Police Department, at (310) 837-1221.

How does the parking permit protect my vehicle from being cited?
The permit exempts the vehicle on which it is displayed from the posted time-limited parking restrictions, but only if the posted sign contains the phrase “permit exempt” or “except by permit” or other similar language.  It does not exempt the vehicle from any other parking restrictions, regulations, or laws.

Why does my block have parking permit restrictions?
The majority of the parking permit districts were installed at the request of the residents of each neighborhood, through a petition process.  In a few cases, the City Council directed the installations to address parking intrusion in a neighborhood.

How can I rescind the parking permit restrictions on my block?
The parking permit district on your block was adopted as part of the democratic petition process.  It may be removed by the same process.  A petition, having 66-percent consensus, is required to have the City consider the request.  The required Petition (the City's forms that must be used) is available from the Traffic Engineering Section.  The Petition will be considered by the Traffic Committee and a recommendation will be made to the City Engineer.  If the City Engineer decides favorably, he will, then, bring the Petition before the City Council for their consideration.

Is there a minimum amount of neighborhood participation necessary to maintain the permit parking restrictions in place?
Yes, there is a provision in the program that requires the permit parking zone to maintain a minimum participation of 75% within the first 90 days of the new calendar year.  If the households participating in the purchase of parking permits falls below 75% within the first 90 days of the new calendar year, and participation is not brought up to a minimum of 75% after 30 day's notice to the households, the City Engineer may dissolve the zone.  Once a permit parking zone is dissolved, it will not be considered for re-establishment for 3 years.

How can I get a replacement permit if mine is lost or stolen?
Simply fill out a lost/stolen parking permit replacement form at the Engineering counter at City Hall and pay a replacement fee of $17.00 per permit.  This fee has been adopted by City Council and will be charged and collected before a replacement permit can be issued.  The lost or stolen permit will then be cancelled through the Culver City Police Department ensuring that it can no longer be used. 

Can I get more than two (2) parking permits?
City Council has mandated that only two permits per household are authorized.  However, based on a hardship need, more than two permits MAY be issued.  To establish a hardship exemption, the resident must make the request and pay the City-Council-required fee (please refer to the current year's adopted Fee Schedule for the fee amount, which is available at the Engineering Division in City Hall, or online at www.culvercity.org).  It should be noted that payment of the fee does not guarantee approval. It covers the cost of investigation, Traffic Committee meeting/recommendation, and final approval or denial.  See Section L of the Procedures and Regulations for Preferential Parking Zones, which may be obtained from the Traffic Engineering Division or downloaded by clicking here.  Click on “Preferential Parking Procedures and Regulations” located towards the bottom of the web page.

Can I get a refund if I no longer require a permit(s)?
Unfortunately, no.  Refunds are not authorized at this time.

Does my plumber, gardener, or other service providers need a parking permit?
Service providers in identifiable vehicles, including plumbers, gardeners, contractors, cable workers, etc., are exempt from the permit parking restrictions while engaged in work-related activities for a home in a permit parking district.  However, their vehicles must be clearly identified as company vehicles.   Any service provider arriving in a private vehicle is not exempt from the restriction.

Rev. 12-01-10