How to Obtain a Preferential Parking Permit

A Preferential Parking permit exempts a vehicle from preferential parking restrictions when you are parked in your zone and follow the 2-Block Parking Rule. Please click here to see if you are eligible to purchase a Preferential Parking permit (indicated in red) and to find out what zone you live in.

There are two types of permits for tenants and owners who live at the address: Residential and Visitor permits (both are permanent permits with the same privileges).

• Residential permits are tied to a specific vehicle (no maximum to how many you can purchase).
• Visitor permits offer flexibility in that they can be used in any vehicle, including your own (maximum of 2 per household).

Permitholders are not exempt from other parking regulations such as curb markings, alleys, parking meters, street sweeping, oversize vehicle regulations, or anywhere else where parking is prohibited. To avoid citation, active permits must be displayed at all times. There are 5 zones within the network with different renewal periods. Permits purchased in the first half of the period pay full cost, whereas permits purchased in the second half pay a reduced cost.

Preferential Parking permits are for residential purposes only. If you have an ADA placard, you need not purchase a Preferential Parking permit. If you are a residential owner and do not live at the address, please email us at: parking@santamonica.gov. You may be eligible to purchase up to 2 Visitor permits.

If you renew your permits at the counter, you will be asked to provide all current documentation either in digital or paper form because permits will be given to you.

Our hours of operation are 8:30 to 11:30 am and 1:00 to 4:30 pm, Monday thru Thursday and every other Friday.

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Continue the Process:

• If you have not moved and would like to renew your permits, please login to the Customer Web Portal.
• If you have moved within the same zone and have active permits, please email us at: parking@santamonica.gov.
• If you are applying as a new resident, please follow steps below.

Gather your documents

• Valid Government Issued ID (e.g.; driver’s license, passport, etc.)

• Proof of Residency: one of the following:
  • A current utility, cable, or internet bill.
  • A bank, credit card, or mortgage statement.

  Please Note: All bills/statements must be from the last 30 days, include your name, and match the current Santa Monica address.

  TO PURCHASE RESIDENTIAL PARKING PERMITS, YOU MUST PROVIDE:

  • All the above , including:
    • Valid Vehicle Registration matching your name and current Santa Monica address. (This is required for Residential Parking permits. If the DMV Vehicle Registration does not match the name and current Santa Monica address, you may still be eligible to purchase up to (2) Visitor Parking permits which have the same privileges as the Residential Parking permit but offer more flexibility in that they can be used in any vehicle.)

    Submit Documentation

    Once you have all of your documents, you may submit them online here. Please allow 3 to 5 business days for your application to be processed. If you do not receive an email, email us at: parking@santamonica.gov.

    Approval

    You should receive an email notifying you whether your application has been approved. If approved, you will be sent a link to pay. Once payment has been made, you'll have the option to print out a 30-Day Temporary Parking permit to use until your permanent parking permits arrive in the mail (can take up to 2 weeks to receive). If your application is not approved, you will receive an email stating what documents are missing.

    Below is information on how to purchase Preferential Parking permits in person.

    Gather your documents

    • Valid Government Issued ID (e.g.; driver’s license, passport, etc.)
    • Proof of Residency: one of the following:
      • A current utility, cable, or internet bill.
      • A bank, credit card, or mortgage statement.

      Please Note: All bills/statements must be from the last 30 days, include your name, and match the current Santa Monica address.

      TO PURCHASE RESIDENTIAL PARKING PERMITS, YOU MUST PROVIDE:

      • All the above , including:
        • Valid Vehicle Registration matching your name and current Santa Monica address. (This is required for Residential Parking permits. If the DMV Vehicle Registration does not match the name and current Santa Monica address, you may still be eligible to purchase up to (2) Visitor Parking permits which have the same privileges as the Residential Parking permit but offer more flexibility in that they can be used in any vehicle.)

        TO PURCHASE VISITOR PARKING PERMITS AS A RESIDENTIAL OWNER WHO DOES NOT LIVE AT THE ADDRESS, YOU MUST PROVIDE:

        • Valid Government Issued ID (e.g.; driver’s license, passport, etc.)
        • Valid Santa Monica Business License
        • Proof of Ownership: grant deed, property tax bill, or mortgage statement.

        Please Note: property managers acting on the owner's behalf must provide:

        • All the above, including:
          • Valid Government Issued ID (e.g.; driver’s license, passport, etc.)
          • Proof of Employment (paycheck stub, letter from your employer)

          Where are we located?

          The Parking Operations Office is located at 1444 4th Street, in the Go SaMo Center. There is 90 minutes free parking in the structure. Our counters are open 8:30 to 11:30 am and 1:00 to 4:30 pm, Monday thru Thursday and every other Friday. Please note, all forms must be in your name. We do not accept proxies.

          Contact Us: