Sacramento’s expansion of parking meter enforcement until 10 p.m. citywide has sparked confusion and complaints from businesses in Lavender Heights.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Starting this month, all parking meters in Sacramento are now enforced until 10 p.m., a change that is creating confusion for some drivers and prompting complaints from businesses in areas where parking enforcement previously ended earlier.
Before July 1, about 80% of the city’s parking meters were enforced until 10 p.m., according to city spokesperson Gabby Miller. The city expanded that timing to all meters starting this fiscal year, “to standardize meter hours citywide,” Miller said.
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In Lavender Heights, where meter enforcement had ended at 6 p.m., some business owners say customers are caught off guard.
Brian Crall, founder and executive director of the non-profit Sacramento Comedy Spot on 20th Street between J and K streets, said at least 10 customers have complained about receiving parking tickets since the change took effect. He said he has talked to other business owners on the street, who share his concerns.
“We don’t want people coming down here, getting a ticket for $77 and then never coming back to the area again,” Crall said.
He also raised the issue during a recent Sacramento City Council meeting, asking councilmembers to pause restrictive parking enforcement in the area between 6 and 10 p.m.
“I don’t think there’s adequate signage down there right now. Just this past Friday, there were four cars lined up that all had tickets. I don’t think that they were all rolling the dice to see if they could get away with it. I think that they just didn’t know they had to pay, and I don’t think all four of those people will come back to Sacramento if they’re from outside of Midtown,” Crall said.
In a statement, a city spokesperson said customers should check parking meters for the applicable hours, rates and payment instructions at each location.
“All City parking meter signage directs customers to check the meter for details,” Miller said. “Customers using the ParkMobile app will also see the hours when payment is required before starting a parking session.”
Signs along 20th Street outside the Sacramento Comedy Spot direct drivers to check the meter display for details, and the screen on the parking kiosks state that parking is enforced until 10 p.m. every day.
Crall said he believes the enforcement hours should be printed more clearly on street signs.
“If they don’t see the kiosk, it doesn’t tell you when you have to park. So now people are like, ‘Do I? Don’t I?'” Crall said.
Crall said he appreciates how responsive the city has been to his concerns, including Councilmember Phil Pluckebaum, who represents Midtown and Downtown, and city staff.
After meeting with two city parking managers Thursday, Crall said they discussed possible solutions.
“Very nice people, again — proposing solutions, trying to figure things out,” Crall said. “They’re actually putting a hold on some of the enforcement for a while, while they do try to create signage that’s a little bit clearer.”
He shared with ABC10 an email from one of the parking managers, stating that immediate actions will include adding the hours of meter operation directly to parking meter signs, along with other measures intended to help drivers adjust to the later enforcement hours.
Even so, Crall said he would like to see parking enforcement in entertainment districts return to ending at 6 p.m.
“I know they’re trying to do their best, but I would just like them to really think about this situation, how special this corridor has been and will continue to be to Sacramento, and maybe we can make special exceptions for parts of the town,” Crall said.
The city noted that parking meter rates did not increase this fiscal year.
Councilmember Pluckebaum said parking issues are the most frequent complaints his office receives. He said the city works to find solutions that balance its revenue needs with the needs of businesses and customers.
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