The city’s parking benefit was designed to encourage the use of low- and zero-emission vehicles when electric vehicle technology was in its early stages
The City of Santa Monica will end its longstanding policy allowing free metered parking for vehicles displaying Clean Air Vehicle (CAV) decals on September 30, city officials announced.
Under Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 3.16.120, drivers with valid CAV decals—issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles—have been allowed to park at city-operated meters free of charge for the posted time limit. That benefit will officially expire at the end of the month, aligning with the statewide sunset of the CAV program.
Beginning October 1, all drivers, including those with CAV decals, will be required to pay posted rates at metered spaces across the city.
Originally adopted in 2002, the city’s parking benefit was designed to encourage the use of low- and zero-emission vehicles at a time when electric vehicle (EV) technology was still in its early stages. Over the years, the market for zero-emission vehicles has expanded significantly, reducing the need for such local incentives, officials said.
According to a recent staff report, the number of registered zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) in Santa Monica increased from just over 1,000 in 2015 to nearly 6,500 in 2023—growing from 1.4% to 10% of all vehicles in the city. Officials believe that percentage is now even higher.
The Santa Monica City Council introduced an ordinance this year to clarify the expiration date for all categories of CAV decals, including purple decals that were unintentionally omitted from previous code language. Without the amendment, only vehicles with purple decals would have retained the free parking benefit beyond September 30.
The CAV decals—green, white, red, and purple—have allowed eligible vehicles to access both free parking in some cities and solo use of High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes under the state-run DMV program. That statewide program is also set to expire on September 30 after which drivers must meet posted occupancy requirements to use carpool lanes.
Santa Monica was one of the last California cities to offer the metered parking benefit. Other municipalities, including San Jose, Sacramento, and Hermosa Beach, have already phased out similar programs.
City staff determined that the expiration of the benefit is exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), citing no potential for significant environmental impact.
Santa Monica continues to support EV adoption through expanded charging infrastructure and policies outlined in its 2017 Electric Vehicle Action Plan.
