Parking fees in La Mesa’s downtown district will be increasing for the first time since 2005.
The City Council unanimously supported increasing hourly parking meter rates and permit passes during a meeting on Tuesday. The new rate of $1.50 per hour is double what drivers currently pay, with rates ranging from 50 to 75 cents per hour, depending on the street.
The rate adjustment affects all 433 meters within the Downtown Village Parking District, a compact zone within La Mesa’s core which centers on La Mesa Boulevard. Meters are enforced Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., except holidays.
The La Mesa Community Parking Commission first brought the proposal to city leaders in July, but council members wanted adjustments to the Parking Permit Program, which controls parking for businesses.
La Mesa will increase its parking meter rates in the Village District to $1.50 per hour, effective Jan. 1, 2026. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
The current permit program offers two tiers. Tier 1 permits cost $40 per quarter or $144 annually, while Tier 2 permits cost $60 per quarter or $216 annually. Second tier permitholders have access to 276 parking spaces across 7 areas, while first tier permitholders have access to 171 spaces within just 3 parking areas.
City staff said the tiered system was confusing to some permittees who did not know where their pass allowed them to park.
The parking permit tiers are now set to be consolidated into a single program where each permit costs $80 per quarter or $288 annually. City council adjusted the business-oriented program to allow for a maximum of five permits per business, with some exceptions upon approval. The choice comes after concerns from business owners that permitholders might take up spaces intended for visitors of the downtown district.
With the continued development of the East County city, one local business owner said he is worried that new residents of the area will park in metered spots overnight.
“The truth of the matter is the parking district was created to have parking spaces turn over and to provide a larger population to support the local businesses,” Tony Gaipa said. “If a single residential tenant uses the parking spot as a personal garage, and the space doesn’t turn over, the quick decline of our vibrant village will begin.”
City officials said the issue of parking availability as a whole will be addressed separately from the meter hike.
The move is the first in an effort to re-imagine La Mesa’s larger parking plan, city leaders said.
“We’ve done many parking studies in the village,” City Manager Greg Humora said. “There’s going to be another detailed parking study for the Downtown Village specific plan. What we’re looking for is what threshold is going to trigger the demand for a parking garage.”
Dee Van Horne (r) of La Mesa took a closer look to make sure she had enough time on the meter for lunch with her friend, Leslie Tonkyro (l), while visiting the La Mesa Village District on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, in La Mesa, CA. La Mesa will increase its parking meter rates to $1.50 per hour, effective Jan. 1, 2026. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
If a parking garage is built in the city, La Mesa Chamber of Commerce CEO Mary England said she wonders who will pay for it.
“I know for a fact that parking is an issue, but the parking meters aren’t going to help that,” England said. “There’s been talk for years about a parking structure. I wouldn’t know where it will go. Who is going to bear the burden of the cost to build a parking structure?”
With new housing developments and the continued growth of the city, England said she shares the concern that La Mesa residents will occupy parking spots intended for visitors of the downtown area.
This underscores the need for enforcement of parking restrictions, she said. The chamber has yet to discuss the parking project as a whole as it remains in the early stages, she said.
The parking change is expected to generate about $273,000 a year in revenue, with an additional $35,000 a year coming from the consolidation of the permit plan. The funds will be spent on continuing to develop and maintain La Mesa’s parking infrastructure, city staff said.
The adjustment comes as the City of San Diego has also opted to raise certain parking rates.
During the summer, the city increased rates for spots surrounding Petco Park to $10 an hour during special events.
The San Diego City Council recently approved parking fees for Balboa Park, but enforcement has yet to start.
Enforcement of new parking rates in La Mesa’s downtown district will begin Jan. 1.