The West Bay Sanitary District Menlo Park’s Overnight Parking Ordinance Enforcement, Established In

Menlo Park’s Overnight Parking Ordinance Enforcement, Established In 1963, Resumes

The City of Menlo Park will resume enforcement of its 57-year-old residential overnight parking ordinance starting Monday, August 3 at 2 a.m.

A two-week grace period began Tuesday, July 21, during which a warning will be placed on the driver’s vehicle.

Menlo Park suspended enforcement in March 2020 following the county health officer’s declaration of a COVID-19 pandemic.

The resumption of overnight parking enforcement is a result of complaints and concerns from residents and business owners regarding vehicles occupying parking spots for extended periods and abandoned vehicles, as well as annual overnight parking permit holders unable to park their vehicles due to crowded streets.

The overnight parking ordinance prohibits parking of any vehicle from 2 a.m. to 5 a.m. on any residential street, or within 300 feet of any residential area in Menlo Park. The parking ordinance is in effect seven days a week except on City-observed holidays.

To avoid being cited, parked vehicles must have: 1. a valid overnight parking permit displayed, or 2. a valid DMV issued disabled person placard or disabled person license plates, or 3. a temporary overnight nonrefundable or exchangeable parking permit (available for purchase online or in-person through the City of Menlo Park’s police department).

Certain addresses in Menlo Park may qualify for an annual overnight parking permit. Qualifying addresses are limited to apartment buildings that lack

adequate off-street parking spaces (less than two spaces per unit) and are zoned R3. To see if your address qualifies and has permits available, please contact the City of Menlo Park. If eligible, the annual permit cost is $150. The annual permit cycle begins September 1 and expires August 31 of the following year. Permit costs are prorated by month if purchased after the onset of a permit cycle. You can choose to purchase or renew online. Current annual overnight parking permit holders will have their annual permit (September 1, 2020 to August 31, 2021) renewed at no charge.

History and purpose of the ordinance

Source: City of Menlo Park Since being enacted in 1963, Menlo Park’s overnight parking ordinance has been upheld by the courts, survived several majority votes of city residents and has been actively enforced since its inception.

The benefits of the ordinance to city residents and businesses are many: A cleaner and better-looking city. Better distribution of cars parked overnight in areas with higher population density. Easier access to structures and streets during nighttime emergencies. Issuing permits assures that vehicles belong to residents and their guests. Less overnight crime by reducing suspect and possible victim vehicles. Parking enforcement officer’s presence deters potential criminals from committing property crimes. Streets are free of parking congestion. The City’s ability to provide street cleaning and maintenance is unobstructed. Suspicious, stolen, abandoned and disabled vehicles are easily checked, identified and removed. Residents can easily identify vehicles that are unfamiliar to the neighborhood.