July 2, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Parking Rules For Electric Vehicles In Santa Monica To Be Clarified:

The omission of three words – “current and valid” – from a Santa Monica law governing parking meters could result in greater privileges for electric, low-, or zero-emission vehicles based upon direction council members gave City staff on Tuesday.

In a request brought by Mayor pro tem Terry O’Day and council members Kevin McKeown and Ted Winterer, City staff will look into preparing an ordinance amendment to allow users of electric and other low- or zero-emission vehicles to be entitled to free parking in Santa Monica despite evolving State laws.

Council members voted 5 to 1 in favor of the City staff direction.

The inquiry came up when, according to McKeown, a local member of the State Assembly parked in Santa Monica but received a parking ticket although City Hall passed the current ordinance allowing such vehicles to park at a metered stall without having to pay so long as it had a “current and valid” permit.

However, State law regulating what constitutes a “current and valid” permit is constantly changing, according to council member Kevin McKeown. Therefore, there are various people in Santa Monica who have zero-emission vehicle permits but, as an unintended consequence, are not able to take advantage of parking privileges as City Hall had originally intended because local law was directly tied to the evolving State law.

McKeown said during the council meeting he had a few discussions about this issue with City staff and a simple resolution was suggested: decouple City law from State law.

Eliminating the words “current and valid” from the local ordinance would be sufficient action, according to McKeown.

“It would keep the rest of our parking ordinance, yet it would allow Neighborhood Electric Vehicles to get the privilege of being zero emission and very desirable in Santa Monica,” McKeown said.

Neighborhood Electric Vehicles, or NEVs, suffer the most from current State law. NEVs are battery powered vehicles that resemble golf carts and are legally allowed on roads with speed limits up to 45 MPH. However, State law currently provides zero emission stickers to vehicles using carpool – or high occupancy vehicle – lanes on freeways. Since NEVs are not legally allowed on freeways, drivers of such vehicles cannot obtain a zero emission sticker and therefore would be subject to pay for parking in Santa Monica.

Those who voted in favor of the City staff direction hope the amended ordinance, if ultimately approved, would bring NEVs into the fold and reinstitute an incentive for drivers to obtain such vehicles.

Mayor Pam O’Connor, who was the sole vote against the direction, said while she was in favor of incentivizing greater use of zero emission vehicles providing free parking was not the best means to do so.

“It’s still a vehicle, it’s still a vehicle on the road,” O’Connor said. “While it’s a cleaner vehicle, it’s still not going to be the cleanest vehicle. The most environmental way to get around is to take a walk, take the low emission public transit, et cetera. People will still make the choice to drive, but I don’t think we give them a free pass on parking.”

No timeline was set for when proposed ordinance amendment would come back to the dais.

in News
<>Related Posts

People are Using Palisades for “Disaster Tours.” Local Officials Are Trying to Stop Them

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

A new motion introduced to City Council requests a coordinated strategy from LADOT, the Los Angeles Police Department, and the...

Santa Monica Favorite Esters Rebrands as Esters Wine Shop & Oyster Bar

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

New Concept Launches With French-Spanish Flair and Free Bubbles Esters Wine Shop, the fave Parisian-style wine bar in downtown Santa...

Letter to the Editor: Santa Monica’s Great Park: It’s Time to Deliver on 100 Years of Promise

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

Santa Monica stands at the edge of history. For nearly a century, residents have consistently supported turning the airport land...

Why Nordstrom Says It’s Closing Its Santa Monica Place Location

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

A Nordstrom spokesperson explained the closure as a strategic realignment Nordstrom confirmed its decision to close its Santa Monica store...

Three-Bed Palisades Highlands Townhouse Hits Market for $1.7M

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

The Mediterranean-style property, located at 1529 Michael Lane, is part of a 71-unit community A remodeled 1,919-square-foot townhouse in the...

Six-Bed Mar Vista Hilltop Home Under Construction Lists for $5.3M

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

The private backyard is complete with a pool, spa, fire pit, built-in BBQ, and areas for outdoor dining A stunning...

(Video) Getty Villa Reopens Six Months After Dodging Destruction of Palisades Wildfires

June 29, 2025

June 29, 2025

With the reopening also comes a new exhibit, “The Kingdom of Pylos” Getty Villa Reopens Six Months After Dodging Destruction...

Free Virtual Planetarium Shows Coming to SMC in July

June 29, 2025

June 29, 2025

The virtual format is in place as construction of the new SMC Planetarium and Observatory nears completion The Santa Monica...

Santa Monica Adopts $793.3M Budget for FY25-27, Prioritizing Housing and Safety

June 29, 2025

June 29, 2025

The budget preserves core services and invests in major projects, including over $1 billion in hotel investments The Santa Monica...

Iranian Pastor in West L.A. Speaks as Church Rocked by Immigration Raids 

June 28, 2025

June 28, 2025

Five Detained as Fear Spreads Through Persian Christian Faith Community  Fear has spread through a West Los Angeles congregation after...

California Doubles Down on Hollywood: $750M in Tax Credits Approved for Film and TV Industry

June 28, 2025

June 28, 2025

State Lawmakers Back Major Expansion of Production Incentives, Raising Job Projections Los Angeles’ film and television industry is poised to...

Park: “Our Water Infrastructure Must Be Emergency-Ready Every Day”

June 28, 2025

June 28, 2025

Councilwoman expressed cautious relief at the news but emphasized the need for robust infrastructure The Los Angeles Department of Water...

Washington Square Pizza Opens to the Public

June 28, 2025

June 28, 2025

New York Style Pizza “By-The-Slice” Now at the Beach By Nick Antonicello  Washington Square Pizza formally opened its doors today...

California Allocates $5B for Road Repairs, Transit Expansion

June 28, 2025

June 28, 2025

The funding aims to improve road safety, reduce traffic congestion, and promote cleaner transportation California is investing nearly $5 billion...

THIS SUNDAY: Palisades Symphony Presents “Best of Broadway”

June 28, 2025

June 28, 2025

The performance will feature a full orchestra playing iconic selections, from John Philip Sousa’s *El Capitan* and George Gershwin’s *The...