Beverly Hills Municipal Code Art. 2 Preferential Parking

This article of the Beverly Hills municipal code may be referred to as the PREFERENTIAL PARKING MASTER PLAN ORDINANCE of the city of Beverly Hills. (1962 Code § 3-6.2203; amd. Ord. 93-O-2169, eff. 7-2-1993)

The purpose of this article is to create a preferential parking program which is necessary in order to alleviate the severe lack of on street parking on certain residential streets in the city caused primarily by commuter vehicle traffic and to provide reasonably available and convenient parking for the adjacent residents. The preferential parking program consists of preferential parking districts within which zones are established which are aimed at reducing noise, traffic hazards, and environmental pollution and encouraging car pooling, telecommuting and mass transit. (1962 Code § 3-6.2203; amd. Ord. 90-O-2095, eff. 8-9-1990; Ord. 93-O-2169, eff. 7-2-1993; Ord. 25-O-2927, eff. 12-13-2025)

For purposes of Article 2 and Article 3 of this chapter, certain words and phrases are defined as follows:

COMMUTER: A motor vehicle parked in a residential area which is not owned, leased or otherwise controlled by a resident who lives in the area designated as a preferential parking zone.

DWELLING UNIT: Any single-family residence, multiple-family residential unit, or residential unit in a mixed use development. "Dwelling unit" shall also include any congregate care facility, as defined in section 10-3-1260 or 10-3-1286 of this code, that is not ineligible for participation in a preferential parking zone pursuant to section 7-3-205.5 of this chapter. "Dwelling unit" shall not include hotel guestrooms or suites, or accessory dwelling units on lots with a single family residence.

EXISTING ZONE: A preferential parking zone established by resolution of the city council on or before July 2, 1993.

GUEST: A person who visits or is employed by an occupant of a dwelling unit located in a preferential parking zone.

INELIGIBLE PROJECT: A multiple-family residential dwelling in a residential zone or mixed use zone that (i) as a result of reduced minimum parking requirements, including without limitation, as mandated by state law or pursuant to section 10-3-1260 or 10-3-1286 or 10-3-5001 of this code, provides fewer on-site parking spaces than required under the standards applicable to the underlying zone in effect as of the date the residential development received its initial certificate of occupancy, or (ii) if the residential development met minimum parking requirements under the standards applicable to the underlying zone in effect as of the date the residential development received its initial certificate of occupancy, the residential development subsequently no longer meets such minimum parking requirements due to (A) the addition of one or more dwelling units or accessory dwelling units in a multiple-family residential zone for which a building permit was issued after November 1, 2025, or (B) the removal of one or more parking spaces from the residential development in a multiple-family residential zone after November 1, 2025.

PARKING RESTRICTION: The amount of time and/or time of day vehicles may park on the street in a preferential parking zone. Such restrictions may include, without limitation, "one hour parking except by permit", "two hour parking except by permit", "no parking except by permit", and "no parking 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. except by permit".

PREEXISTING RESIDENT: A resident of an ineligible project who resided in a residential development prior to its becoming an ineligible project, and continues to reside in the same residential development.

PREFERENTIAL PARKING: Subject to the restrictions set forth in this Article, the ability of a vehicle to be exempt from certain daytime and nighttime on-street parking restrictions.

PREFERENTIAL PARKING DISTRICT: A group of street blocks having similar land use designations and which are eligible for inclusion in a preferential parking zone upon approval of the city council.

PREFERENTIAL PARKING MASTER PLAN AREA: The residentially zoned area of the city south of North Santa Monica Boulevard.

PREFERENTIAL PARKING PERMIT: A permit issued by the city that allows a vehicle to engage in preferential parking as set forth in this Article.

PREFERENTIAL PARKING ZONE: A street block or group of street blocks that are designated for preferential parking by the city council.

RESIDENT: A person who lives in a dwelling unit located in a preferential parking zone.

RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT: A single-family residence, multiple-family residential dwelling, housing development project (as defined in California Government Code Section 65905.5(b)(3)), or mixed use development that includes one or more residential dwelling units."

STREET: The same as set forth in title 1 of this code, except that street shall not include alleys.

STREET BLOCK: The portion of a street that lies between two (2) immediately intersecting streets. If a street block has two (2) residential land use designations and an alley is intersecting that street block, a street block shall mean that portion of the street that lies between the alley and the nearest intersecting street. (1962 Code § 3-6.2204; amd. Ord. 93-O-2169, eff. 7-2-1993; Ord. 94-O-2198, eff. 4-22-1994; Ord. 02-O-2405, eff. 9-20-2002; Ord. 03-O-2432, eff. 11-21-2003; Ord. 25-O-2927, eff. 12-13-2025)

A preferential parking district is hereby established and shall be comprised of certain residential street blocks that are located within the preferential parking master plan area. A map designating such street blocks shall be prepared and maintained on file in the office of the director of transportation. Street blocks included in this district are eligible for inclusion into an existing or new preferential parking zone in accordance with the procedure set forth in section 7-3-206 of this chapter. (1962 Code § 3-6.2204; amd. Ord. 93-O-2169, eff. 7-2-1993)

No preferential parking zone shall be established on any of the following types of street blocks:

A. Street blocks on an arterial street as designated in the city's general plan.

B. Street blocks with land zoned or used for commercial purposes on both sides of the street. (1962 Code § 3-6.2204; amd. Ord. 93-O-2169, eff. 7-2-1993; Ord. 94-O-2199, eff. 6-17-1994)

A. Except as provided in subsections B and C of this section, no resident of an ineligible project shall be eligible for preferential parking.

B. Any preexisting resident shall be eligible to engage in preferential parking for the duration of their continued residence in an ineligible project, provided the preexisting resident (a) held a valid preferential parking permit or permits prior to the residential development becoming an ineligible project, and (b) has timely renewed their preferential parking permit or permits. Preexisting residents may not apply for a new preferential parking permit to replace an expired permit, and may only renew the same number of preferential parking permits they had at the time the residential development became ineligible; provided, however, a preexisting resident may apply for an additional preferential parking permit if, after the date the residential development became an ineligible project, the preexisting resident (i) possesses a valid driver's license, and (ii) obtains a vehicle registered to the address of the preexisting resident.

C. Residents who move into an ineligible project shall not be eligible to engage in preferential parking; provided, however, such residents may apply for additional preferential parking permits if they (i) reside in the same dwelling unit as a preexisting resident, (ii) possess a valid driver's license, and (ii) possess a vehicle registered to the address of the preexisting resident.

D. A property owner of a residential development that becomes an ineligible project shall notify in writing all existing tenants of the change in the project's status on or prior to the date on which the residential development becomes an ineligible project. In the event that the property owner fails to timely notify any tenant of the change in the project's status, the penalties and procedures in Title 1, Chapter 3 of this code shall apply. In addition to the other penalties provided in this code, if a property owner fails to provide the notification required under this subsection, the property owner shall also be liable for any costs and attorney fees incurred by the city in abating or collecting fines for parking code violations attributable to the tenants of the residential development during the duration of the violation.

E. A property owner shall notify in writing all prospective tenants or purchasers of dwelling units who are ineligible for preferential parking of their ineligibility. Upon leasing or sale of a dwelling unit or accessory dwelling unit to a tenant or purchaser who is ineligible for preferential parking, the property owner shall collect a written acknowledgement of the ineligibility signed by the tenant or purchaser. In the event that the property owner fails to notify any tenant or purchaser of their ineligibility to engage in preferential parking, the penalties and procedures in Title 1, Chapter 3 of this code shall apply. In addition to the other penalties provided in this code, if a property owner fails to provide the notification required under this subsection, the property owner shall also be liable for any costs and attorney fees incurred by the city in abating or collecting fines for parking code violations attributable to the tenants or purchasers of the dwelling units during the duration of the violation. (Ord. 03-O-2432, eff. 11-21-2003; amd. Ord. 25-O-2927, eff. 12-13-2025)

A. A preferential parking zone may be established by either of the following two (2) methods: 1) a petition signed by more than fifty percent (50%) of the residents residing on property abutting a street within the proposed zone requesting the creation of the zone; or 2) a director of transportation initiated proposal with notice sent to abutting residents if not more than forty percent (40%) of such residents have sent to the city a return form objecting to the creation of the zone.

B. Whether initiated by petition or by the director of transportation, in order to establish a preferential parking zone, the director of transportation shall do the following: 1) prepare a study on the need for preferential parking restrictions, and 2) make a recommendation to the traffic and parking commission as to whether a preferential parking zone should be established and the maximum parking restriction that may be imposed for vehicles parking in a preferential parking zone.

C. Whether initiated by petition or by the director of transportation, in order to establish a preferential parking zone, the traffic and parking commission shall, based on the criteria set forth in subsection D of this section, make a recommendation to the city council as to whether a preferential parking zone should be established and the maximum parking restriction that may be imposed for vehicles parking in a preferential parking zone.

D. Whether initiated by petition or by the director of transportation, in order to establish a preferential parking zone, the city council must find that there is sufficient evidence to conclude that the following criteria are satisfied:

1. Commuter vehicles regularly interfere with the available public street parking adjacent to residential property within the proposed zone and cause or are the source of unreasonable noise, traffic hazards, environmental pollution, or other similar interference with the residential environment.

2. There is no reasonable alternative which is feasible or practical to reduce the identified street parking problem to acceptable levels, and displaced commuter vehicles will not unduly impact surrounding residential areas.

The city council shall determine the maximum parking restriction that may be imposed for vehicles parking in a preferential parking zone as it deems appropriate. (1962 Code § 3-6.2205; amd. Ord. 93-O-2169, eff. 7-2-1993; Ord. 98-O-2311, eff. 10-23-1998)

A preferential parking zone once established may be modified as follows:

A. The director of community development, at the request of the traffic and parking commission or the city council, may initiate a modification to an existing preferential permit zone. If a request is initiated by the city council, the modification shall be heard by the city council and approved by resolution. If the request is initiated by the traffic and parking commission, the traffic and parking commission shall provide a recommendation to the city council and the modification shall be approved by resolution of the city council.

B. Sixty percent (60%) of the residents within the existing zone sign a petition requesting a modification to the parking restrictions in that zone. The traffic and parking commission shall provide a recommendation to the city council. The modification shall be approved by resolution of the city council.

The city council shall determine the maximum parking restriction that may be imposed for vehicles parking in a preferential parking zone as it deems appropriate. (Ord. 09-O-2571, eff. 12-6-2009; amd. Ord. 13-O-2647, eff. 10-11-2013)

Permits authorizing vehicle parking in a preferential parking zone may be issued by the police department to residents occupying property within a preferential parking zone, subject to the restrictions set forth in section 7-3-205.5 of this code, and the following requirements and restrictions:

A. Furnishing satisfactory proof of residency on the street in the zone;

B. Completion of an application designated by the police department;

C. Payment of the preferential parking permit fee designated by council resolution. (Ord. 93-O-2169, eff. 7-2-1993; amd. Ord. 25-O-2927, eff. 12- 13-2025)

A. The maximum number of preferential parking permits that may be issued to the inhabitants of a single dwelling unit that has vehicles registered to that address or that has vehicles used on a full time basis by the occupants of that residence shall not exceed three (3), except as provided in subsection B of this section. The maximum number of preferential parking permits which may be issued to the inhabitants of a single dwelling unit that has no vehicles registered to that address shall not exceed two (2).

B. Subject to the restrictions set forth in section 7-3-205.5 of this code, traffic and parking commission has the authority to grant additional preferential parking permits upon application of a qualified applicant and proof that more than three (3) vehicles are registered to the dwelling unit or used on a full time basis by the occupants of the dwelling unit, that sufficient off street parking is not available to the applicant and that an undue hardship will result if the additional permit request is not granted. (Ord. 93-O-2169, eff. 7-2-1993; amd. Ord. 25-O-2927, eff. 12-13-2025)

Preferential parking permits shall be valid for a period of up to one year from the date of issuance, or until such time as the applicant ceases to reside in the preferential parking zone, whichever occurs first. (Ord. 93-O-2169, eff. 7-2-1993; amd. Ord. 25-O-2927, eff. 12-13-2025)

A. A resident who holds a valid preferential parking permit may use the permit for the purpose of parking on the street block adjacent to the dwelling unit of such resident or adjacent to the dwelling unit of another resident who resides in the same preferential parking zone while they are visiting such resident.

B. A resident who holds a valid preferential parking permit may allow a guest of such resident to use the permit for the purpose of parking on the street adjacent to the dwelling unit of the resident while visiting with or working for the resident at the resident's dwelling unit. (Ord. 93-O-2169, eff. 7-2-1993; amd. Ord. 97-O-2280, eff. 6-6-1997; Ord. 98-O-2311, eff. 10-23-1998)

A. No vehicle shall be parked or stopped adjacent to any curb in a preferential parking zone during the time preferential parking is in effect, unless such vehicle shall have a valid preferential parking permit issued by the city.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person to sell, rent or lease, or cause to be sold, rented or leased, for any value or consideration any preferential parking permit.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person to buy or otherwise acquire for value or use any preferential parking permit, except as provided for in this article. (Ord. 93-O-2169, eff. 7-2-1993; amd. Ord. 94-O-2198, eff. 4-22-1994; Ord. 94-O-2204, eff. 8-5-1994; Ord. 97-O-2280, eff. 6-6-1997; Ord. 25-O- 2927, eff. 12-13-2025)

Where any permit issued under this article has been procured through fraud or misrepresentation, or where the permittee has violated provisions of this article, the police department shall hold a hearing, with notice of the time and place of such hearing mailed to the permittee at least ten (10) days preceding the hearing. If the permit is revoked following the hearing, the permittee shall be mailed written notice of the revocation and the reasons therefor. (Ord. 93-O-2169, eff. 7-2-1993; amd. Ord. 25-O-2927, eff. 12-13-2025)

Any decision of the police department in granting or denying a permit under this article or any decision of the police department revoking a permit under this article may be appealed to the traffic and parking commission. The appeal shall be in writing, and shall be filed with the commission within fourteen (14) days after the decision. The decision of the traffic and parking commission to uphold or reverse the decision of the department shall be final. (Ord. 93-O-2169, eff. 7-2-1993; amd. Ord. 25-O-2927, eff. 12-13-2025)

The chief of police or designee shall have the power and authority to promulgate rules and regulations for the implementation and enforcement of provisions of this article, and when duly promulgated, such rules and regulations shall be in full force and effect. Such rules and regulations shall be posted on the City's website and made available at City Hall. The holder of a preferential parking permit shall comply with such rules and regulations and any violation of such rules and regulations shall constitute a violation of this code. (Ord. 25-O-2927, eff. 12-13- 2025)