By Lookout Staff

December 16, 2025 -- Starting January 12, motorists will need to feed an extra quarter per hour in City meters and parking in Downtown structures will be free for the first 30 minutes, down from 90.

Under the new rates -- part of a "simplified three-tier model" -- most visitors who park in Downtown structures for three hours or more will pay less than they do now, City officials said.

The maximum daily rate to park longer than five hours will decrease or remain flat, while the cost of a monthly parking permit is being reduced by 20 percent.

Discounted rebates will be available for interested business owners to purchase 90-minute validations -- including the 30 minutes free -- for $1.50 each.

“Our new rates encourage visitors to downtown to stay a while to catch a movie, enjoy a meal, go shopping and enjoy all Santa Monica has to offer,” said Anuj Gupta, director of the City's Transportation Department.

Meanwhile, hourly parking in beach lots and parking meters will increase by an average of $0.25 to $2. ADA placard holders will get a 50 percent discount at surface lots and park for free at meters.

Hourly rates in Mid-City parking lots will increase from $1 to $1.25.

Flat rate beach lots will increase by an average of $2 to $5, "but remain among the least expensive waterfront parking in Southern California," City officials said.

Also starting January 12, parking transactions using a credit card will include a fee "to cover the transactional costs incurred by the city for credit card processing," officials said.

The new rates -- approved by the Council on August 11 -- are expected to generate as much as $9 million a year for the cash-strapped local government.

Parking generates $51.4 million a year in revenue for the City, with $36.1 million going to the General Fund and the remaining $15.3 million going to the Beach and Pier Funds, according to budget projections.