Chula Vista Municipal Code Ch. 10.56 Parking Meters, Parking Meter Zones and Permit Parking
Chula Vista Municipal Code · 2026-09 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · Chula Vista
Cite as: Chula Vista Municipal Code Chapter 10.56 · Text as of 2026-10-04
Sections:
10.56.010 Repealed.
10.56.020 Meters – Installation and maintenance – Rates for use.
10.56.030 Meter zones – Established – Regulations generally.
10.56.040 Meter zones – Designated – Time limits authorized in zone – Schedule XI.
10.56.050 Meter zones – Authorization for establishment.
10.56.060 Meters – Placement and removal of posts.
10.56.070 Meters – Installation – Authority.
10.56.080 Meters – Installation – Location.
10.56.090 Meters, individual – Display of time limit.
10.56.095 Meters, multi-space – Display of time limit. 10.56.100 Meter zone – Manner of parking required. 10.56.110 Meter – Driver operations required.
10.56.120 Meter zone – Parking unlawful when.
10.56.130 Parking meter – Overtime.
10.56.140 Parking meter – Extra time prohibited. 10.56.150 Parking meter – Time of operation.
10.56.160 Parking meter – Tampering with. 10.56.180 Meters – Improper use prohibited. 10.56.190 Payment by unauthorized person prohibited.
10.56.200 Meters – Limitations on use for certain purposes.
10.56.210 Rules of evidence – Parking in metered space deemed unlawful when. 10.56.220 Rules of evidence – Vehicle deemed parked by owner when.
10.56.230 Rules of evidence – Parking in unmetered space deemed owner’s responsibility. 10.56.240 Meters – Collection of deposited coins. 10.56.250 Meters – Purchase, lease and maintenance jurisdiction. 10.56.260 Meters – Use of moneys collected. 10.56.270 Permit parking – Established – Administration authority. 10.56.280 Permit parking – Form of permit – Authorized when. 10.56.290 Permit parking – Areas designated – Schedule XII. 10.56.300 Permits or tags – Cost – Period of validity – Prorating permitted when. 10.56.310 Permits or tags – Sale procedure – Display of permit. 10.56.320 Permits or tags – Issuance and use.
10.56.010 Vehicle defined.¶
10.56.020 Meters – Installation and maintenance – Rates for use.¶
The City Council shall provide for the installation of parking meters including curb or street marking lines, regulation and operation thereof, cause said meters to be maintained in good workable condition, and set the rates for parking in a space regulated by said meters by ordinance. The rates for parking in a space regulated by a meter are as follows:
A. Two-, Three- and Four-Hour Meters. A $0.75 deposit for each one-hour interval up to the maximum legal time limit established for the zone in which the meter is located; or
B. Ten-Hour Meters. A $0.50 deposit for each one-hour period up to the maximum legal time limit established for the zone in which the meter is located. (Ord. 3582 § 1, 2024; Ord. 3138 § 3, 2009; Ord. 3094 § 2, 2007; Ord. 2670, 1996; Ord. 2436 § 2, 1991; Ord. 2367 § 1, 1990; Ord. 2143 § 1, 1986; Ord. 955 § 3).
10.56.030 Meter zones – Established – Regulations generally.¶
Pursuant to the authority of Vehicle Code Section 22508, parking meter zones and the rate of fees for parking in such zones shall be established in this chapter and applicable to those public parking lots and streets or parts of streets as identified and as described in CVMC 10.56.040, Schedule XI, in which zones the parking of vehicles shall be regulated by parking meters for the duration of time specified in said Schedule XI and for the hours of operation identified in CVMC 10.56.150. (Ord. 3138 § 3, 2009; Ord. 2670, 1996; Ord. 2436 § 3, 1991; Ord. 973 § 1, 1966; prior code § 19.17.1(A)).
10.56.040 Meter zones – Designated – Time limits authorized in zone – Schedule XI.¶
In accordance with CVMC 10.56.030, parking meter zones are hereby established upon those public parking lots and streets or portions of streets described herein in which parking of vehicles shall be regulated by parking meters between the hours and on days specified in CVMC 10.56.150 and upon the signs erected thereon, and for the duration specified below and upon the signs erected thereon, as follows:
| Schedule XI | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name of Street | Beginning At | Ending At | Side | Duration |
| Center Street | Third Avenue | Del Mar Avenue | N/S | 2 hours |
| Church Avenue | F Street | E Street | E/W | 2 hours |
| Church Avenue | Center Street | Madrona Street | E/W | 2 hours |
| Del Mar Avenue | F Street | Center Street | East | 2 hours |
| E Street | Garrett Avenue | 100 ft. E/ of Landis Avenue |
N/S | 2 hours |
| F Street | Garrett Avenue | Del Mar Avenue | North | 2 hours |
| F Street | Third Avenue | 125 ft. E/ of Third Avenue |
South | 2 hours |
| G Street | 100 ft. W/ curbline of Third Avenue |
100 ft. E/ of Church Avenue |
N/S | 2 hours |
| Garrett Avenue | 125 ft. S/ of E Street |
150 ft. N/ curbline of E Street |
East | 2 hours |
| Landis Avenue | F Street | 300 ft. N/ curbline of E Street |
East | 2 hours |
| Landis Avenue | F Street | 170 ft. N/ curbline of E Street |
West | 2 hours |
| Madrona Street | Third Avenue | 125 ft. E/ of Third Avenue |
N/S | 2 hours |
| Schedule XI | ||
|---|---|---|
| Park Way | 125 ft. W/ curbline of Third Avenue Third Avenue N/ |
2 hours |
| Third Avenue | E Street Center Street East |
2 hours |
| Third Avenue | Center Street Madrona Avenue East |
2 hours |
| Third Avenue | Madrona Avenue Alvarado Street East |
2 hours |
| Third Avenue | E Street 125 ft. S/ of Roosevelt Street West |
2 hours |
| Designated Parking Lot |
Location | Duration |
| No. 1 | Near southwest corner of Landis and E Streets | 10 hours |
| No. 2 | Northeast corner of Landis and Davidson Streets | 4 hours |
| No. 3 | 200 block of Landis (north of F Street) | 10 hours |
| No. 4 | 340 F Street (near southwest corner of E Street) | 3 hours Unlimited |
| No. 5 | Near southeast corner of Third and Madrona | 4 hours |
| No. 8 | 281 – 287 Church Avenue (between Church and Del Mar Streets) | 10 hours |
| No. 10 | Northwest corner of Church and Davidson Streets | 10 hours |
The City Engineer shall maintain within a register a Schedule XI listing the restrictions applicable to these locations where parking meter zones have been established. (Ord. 3582 § 2, 2024; Ord. 3138 § 3, 2009; Ord. 2983 § 2, 2004; Ord. 2712 § 1, 1997; Ord. 2670, 1996; Ord. 2623 § 1, 1995; Ord. 2488 § 2, 1991; Ord. 2436 § 4, 1991; Ord. 973 § 1, 1966; prior code § 19.22.1).
10.56.050 Meter zones – Authorization for establishment.¶
The City Engineer is hereby authorized, subject to the adoption by the City Council of amendments by ordinance to CVMC 10.56.040 and Schedule XI, to establish parking meter zones and the rate of fees at other locations upon those streets or parts of streets where it is determined upon the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation that the installation of parking meters shall be necessary to aid in the regulation, control and inspection of the parking of vehicles. (Ord. 2670 § 1, 1996; Ord. 973 § 1, 1966; prior code § 19.17.1(B)).
10.56.060 Meters – Placement and removal of posts.¶
The City Engineer shall cause parking meter posts and appropriate parking control devices to be installed and removed pursuant to this chapter in a parking meter zone. (Ord. 2670, 1996; Ord. 973 § 1, 1966; prior code § 19.17.1(C)).
10.56.070 Meters – Installation – Authority.¶
The City Finance Officer shall cause parking meters to be installed in accordance with the rate of fees adopted by the City Council in a parking meter zone. (Ord. 2670 § 1, 1996; Ord. 973 § 1, 1966; prior code § 19.17.1(D)).
10.56.080 Meters – Installation – Location.¶
Individual parking meters shall be installed upon the curb or sidewalk or area immediately adjacent to each parking space in a parking meter zone. Each meter shall be placed in such manner as to show or display by sign or signal that the parking space adjacent thereto is or is not legally in use. Multi-space parking meters shall be located within the zone regulated and indicated by appropriate parking control devices. (Ord. 3138 § 3, 2009; Ord. 2670 § 1, 1996; Ord. 973 § 1, 1966; prior code § 19.17.2(A)).
10.56.090 Meters, individual – Display of time limit.¶
Each parking meter shall be set to display, after the operational procedure has been completed, a sign or signal indicating legal parking for that period of time conforming to the limit of parking time or portion thereof for which payment has been made for the zone in which said parking meter is installed, and shall continue to operate from the time of the completion of the operational procedure until the expiration of the time fixed as the parking limit or a portion thereof for the parking space for which said meter is placed. Each parking meter shall also be arranged so that upon the expiration of said legal parking time it will indicate by a mechanical operation and by proper signal that the lawful parking period has expired. (Ord. 3138 § 3, 2009; Ord. 2670 § 1, 1996; Ord. 973 § 1, 1966; prior code § 19.17.2(B)).
10.56.095 Meters, multi-space – Display of time limit.¶
A multi-space meter shall, after deposit of payment required, dispense a ticket on which the amount of payment deposited, the applicable meter zone/lot for which the ticket is valid, and expiration date and time of valid parking period will be displayed. (Ord. 3138 § 3, 2009).
10.56.100 Meter zone – Manner of parking required.¶
When any vehicle is to be parked within a parking space regulated by a parking meter, the operator of said vehicle shall park within the assigned area designated by marking lines indicating parallel, diagonal, perpendicular, or other such manner of parking.
A. When a parking space regulated by a parking meter is parallel to an adjacent curb or sidewalk, any vehicle parked in such parking space shall be parked so that the foremost part of such vehicle shall be alongside of the nearest parking meter.
B. When a parking space regulated by an individual parking meter is diagonal to a curb or sidewalk, any vehicle parked in such parking space shall be parked with the foremost part of such vehicle directly at and nearest to such meter.
C. When a parking space is regulated by a multi-space meter, any vehicle parked within such parking space shall park in a manner such that the foremost part of the vehicle enters the space prior to the remainder of the vehicle. (Ord. 3138 § 3, 2009; Ord. 2670 § 1, 1996; Ord. 973 § 1, 1966; prior code § 19.17.3).
10.56.110 Meter – Driver operations required.¶
Upon parking a vehicle in a parking space regulated by a parking meter, the owner or operator of such vehicle shall immediately make payment in the amount required by CVMC 10.56.020 for the time limit or any fractional portion as may be authorized for the zone in which said parking meter is installed.
A. For an individual parking meter, after the deposit of payment as required by this section, the owner or operator of such vehicle shall turn any crank, knob, handle or other device or perform such other actions as may be required in accordance with the instructions posted on the face of said parking meter.
B. For a multi-space meter, the owner or operator of such vehicle shall select the time period that the vehicle will remain parked in the parking space, make payment in the manner required in accordance with the instructions on said parking meter, remove the ticket dispensed from the parking meter, and place such ticket on the dashboard of said vehicle such that it is clearly visible from the exterior of the vehicle. (Ord. 3138 § 3, 2009; Ord. 2670 § 1, 1996; Ord. 973 § 1, 1966; prior code § 19.17.4(A)).
10.56.120 Meter zone – Parking unlawful when.¶
Said parking space may then be used by such vehicle during the legal parking limit or fractional part thereof as may be authorized for the zone in which said parking meter is installed. Said vehicle shall be unlawfully parked if it remains in said space:
A. When the owner or operator has not complied with the operational procedure described in CVMC 10.56.110;
or
B. Beyond the legal parking limit or fractional part thereof as indicated by a sign or signal displayed by the individual parking meter; or
C. Beyond the legal parking limit or fractional part thereof as indicated on the ticket dispensed from the multispace parking meter. (Ord. 3138 § 3, 2009; Ord. 2670 § 1, 1996; Ord. 973 § 1, 1966; prior code § 19.17.4(B)).
10.56.130 Parking meter – Overtime.¶
No person shall permit a vehicle to remain parked in any parking meter zone when the meter shows the parking time has expired or the ticket dispensed by the multi-space meter shows the parking time has expired. (Ord. 3138 § 3, 2009; Ord. 2670 § 1, 1996; Ord. 1867 § 2, 1979; Ord. 973 § 1, 1966; prior code § 19.17.4(C)).
10.56.140 Parking meter – Extra time prohibited.¶
A. No person shall permit a vehicle to remain parked beyond the time limit established for any parking meter zone in which the vehicle is parked.
B. No person shall deposit or cause to be deposited in a parking meter any payment for the purpose of increasing or extending the time during which a vehicle is parked beyond the time limit established for the parking meter zone in which the vehicle is parked. (Ord. 3138 § 3, 2009; Ord. 2670 § 1, 1996; Ord. 1867 § 2, 1979; Ord. 973 § 1, 1966; prior code § 19.17.4(D)).
10.56.150 Parking meter – Time of operation.¶
Parking meters shall be operated in parking meter zones every day between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., except Sundays and holidays defined in CVMC 10.08.110. (Ord. 3138 § 3, 2009; Ord. 2670, 1996; Ord. 2436 § 5, 1991; Ord. 1867 § 2, 1979; Ord. 973 § 1, 1966; prior code § 19.17.4 (E)).
10.56.160 Parking meter – Tampering with.¶
It is unlawful and a violation of the provisions of this chapter for any unauthorized person to deface, injure, tamper with, open or willfully break, destroy, or impair the usefulness of any parking meters installed under the provisions of this chapter. (Ord. 2670 § 1, 1996; Ord. 1867 § 2, 1979; Ord. 973 § 1, 1966; prior code § 19.17.5).
10.56.180 Meters – Improper use prohibited.¶
No person shall deposit or cause to be deposited in any parking meter any defaced, bent or counterfeit coin, slug, coin other than those of the United States, device, or other material or instrument as substitute for a coin of the United States, except parking meter tokens authorized by the City. (Ord. 3138 § 3, 2009; Ord. 2670 § 1, 1996; Ord. 973 § 1, 1966; prior code § 19.17.7).
10.56.190 Payment by unauthorized person prohibited.¶
No person, other than the owner or operator of a vehicle, or a member of the Police Department, as authorized in CVMC 10.56.110 through 10.56.150, shall deposit payment in any parking meter without the knowledge or consent of said owner or operator of the vehicle using the parking space regulated by such meter. (Ord. 3138 § 3, 2009; Ord. 2670 § 1, 1996; Ord. 973 § 1, 1966; prior code § 19.17.8).
10.56.200 Meters – Limitations on use for certain purposes.¶
No person other than an authorized employee of the City shall attach anything to a parking meter or parking meter standard. No person shall allow a bicycle, newsrack or any other article or thing to lean against a parking meter or a parking meter standard. (Ord. 2670 § 1, 1996; Ord. 973 § 1, 1966; prior code § 19.17.9).
10.56.210 Rules of evidence – Parking in metered space deemed unlawful when.¶
The parking or standing of any motor vehicle in a parking space, at which space the parking meter displays the sign or signal indicating illegal parking, shall constitute a prima facie presumption that the vehicle has been parked or allowed to stand in such space for a period longer than permitted by this chapter. (Ord. 2670 § 1, 1996; Ord. 973 § 1, 1966; prior code § 19.17.10(A)).
10.56.220 Rules of evidence – Vehicle deemed parked by owner when.¶
The parking or standing of any motor vehicle in a parking space which is controlled or regulated with the aid of a parking meter shall constitute a prima facie presumption that the vehicle has been parked or caused to be parked by the owner of such vehicle. (Ord. 2670 § 1, 1996; Ord. 973 § 1, 1966; prior code § 19.17.10(B)).
10.56.230 Rules of evidence – Parking in unmetered space deemed owner’s responsibility.¶
The parking or standing of any motor vehicle in any parking space upon any street, alley or public place or parking lot in the City shall constitute a prima facie presumption that the vehicle has been parked or caused to be parked by the owner of such vehicle. (Ord. 2670 § 1, 1996; Ord. 973 § 1, 1966; prior code § 19.17.10(C)).
10.56.240 Meters – Collection of deposited coins.¶
The coins deposited in the parking meters shall be collected by duly authorized agents of the City Finance Officer. (Ord. 2670 § 1, 1996; Ord. 973 § 1, 1966; prior code § 19.17.11).
10.56.250 Meters – Purchase, lease and maintenance jurisdiction.¶
The purchasing, leasing, repairing and maintenance of parking meters; the placement and removal of parking meters from parking meter posts; and the payment of any and all expenses relating or incidental thereto shall be under the jurisdiction of the City Finance Officer. (Ord. 2670 § 1, 1996; Ord. 973 § 1, 1966; prior code § 19.17.12).
10.56.260 Meters – Use of moneys collected.¶
All moneys collected from parking meters in the City shall be placed in a special fund, which fund shall be devoted exclusively to any or all of the following purposes:
A. For the purchasing, leasing, installing, repairing, maintaining, operating, removing, regulating and policing of parking meters in this City and for the payment of any and all expenses relating or incidental thereto;
B. For the purchasing, leasing, acquiring, improving, operating and maintaining of off-street parking facilities in the City;
- C. For the installation and maintenance of traffic control devices and signals;
D. For the painting and marking of streets and curbs required for the direction of traffic and parking of motor vehicles;
- E. For the proper regulation, control and inspection of parking and traffic upon the public streets;
F. To be pledged as security for the payment of principal and interest on off-street parking revenue bonds issued by the City or any parking district organized within the City. (Ord. 2670 § 1, 1996; Ord. 973 § 1, 1966; prior code § 19.17.13).
10.56.270 Permit parking – Established – Administration authority.¶
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, there is hereby established a system of permit parking which the Finance Officer, or his designee, shall administer subject to the standards and provisions set forth in CVMC 10.56.280 through 10.56.320. (Ord. 3138 § 3, 2009; Ord. 2670 § 1, 1996; Ord. 973 § 1, 1966; prior code § 19.17.14).
10.56.280 Permit parking – Form of permit – Authorized when.¶
In those parking meter zones and municipal parking lots approved by ordinance of the City Council, described in CVMC 10.56.290 and listed in Schedule XII of the register maintained by the City Engineer, a person may park any vehicle upon any public parking lots, designated by a 10-hour time limit, owned or operated by the City, upon proper display of a valid and current parking permit, in lieu of deposit of payment in the parking meter. (Ord. 3138 § 3, 2009; Ord. 2670, 1996; Ord. 2436 § 6, 1991; Ord. 2131 § 1, 1985; Ord. 973 § 1, 1966; prior code § 19.17.14(A)).
10.56.290 Permit parking – Areas designated – Schedule XII.¶
Pursuant to Vehicle Code Sections 22508 and 22519 and in accordance with CVMC 10.56.270 and 10.56.280, the following areas are also designated as permit parking areas wherein vehicles displaying appropriate parking permits or tags shall be allowed to park in spaces so marked for up to 10 hours (all day).
Schedule XII Parking Zone Location Public Parking Lots 1 See CVMC 10.56.040 to 10 (Parking Meter for locations Zones)
(Ord. 3138 § 3, 2009; Ord. 2983 § 3, 2004; Ord. 2670, 1996; Ord. 2488 § 3, 1991; Ord. 2436 § 7, 1991; Ord. 2131 § 1, 1985; Ord. 973 § 1, 1966; prior code § 19.22.1).
10.56.300 Permits or tags – Cost – Period of validity – Prorating permitted when.¶
For the required fee(s), said parking permits shall be sold to cover a calendar quarter of three months’ duration. Said permits may be obtained at the City Finance Office or other designated location. Applicants must be
merchants or employees of merchants owning or operating businesses within the downtown business area or City officers on behalf of City employees assigned to Norman Park Center. Applicants may request a proration of the quarterly fee if they are purchasing a permit for the balance of the calendar quarter, and such proration shall be made at the sole discretion of the Finance Officer or his designee. (Ord. 3138 § 3, 2009; Ord. 2670 § 1, 1996; Ord. 2506 § 1, 1992; Ord. 2488 § 4, 1991; Ord. 2436 § 8, 1991; Ord. 2131 § 1, 1985; Ord. 973 § 1, 1966; prior code § 19.17.14(B)).
10.56.310 Permits or tags – Sale procedure – Display of permit.¶
The Finance Officer, or his designee, shall establish the necessary procedure for the sale of such permits, and shall obtain the necessary permits which when displayed from the interior of a vehicle shall be clearly visible from the exterior of the vehicle. (Ord. 3138 § 3, 2009; Ord. 2670 § 1, 1996; Ord. 2436 § 9, 1991; Ord. 973 § 1, 1966; prior code § 19.17.14(C)).
10.56.320 Permits or tags – Issuance and use.¶
Such permits or tags shall be issued to the person applying therefor, and may be used on any vehicle owned by the permittee displaying such permit, decal, or tag. (Ord. 2670 § 1, 1996; Ord. 2436 § 10, 1991; Ord. 973 § 1, 1966; prior code § 19.17.14(D)).
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