Oakland is eliminating free parking at meters in the city on Sundays starting Jan. 4, the city’s Department of Transportation announced.
Oakland motorists will have to pay at parking meters between noon and 6 p.m. on Sundays. The first 30 days after this change goes into effect will be a warning period, during which vehicle owners will receive a mailed warning if they fail to pay at parking meters. After the 30-day warning period is over, all violators — including first-time offenders — will receive a citation.
Every year, the city collects approximately $11.7 million through parking meters, according to Kent Bravo, an Oakland Department of Transportation spokesperson. By enforcing parking meters on Sundays, the city is expected to generate an additional $1.6 million per year. This additional revenue will go toward the city’s general fund, which supports public safety, youth services, and street cleaning.
“Our business community will also benefit from Sunday metering because it encourages parking turnover, allowing more customers to visit these establishments.”
Josh Rowan, Oakland Department of Transportation
City officials said the free parking on Sundays was tied to outdated blue laws, which prohibited working on Sundays for religious observances. Now, Sundays are among the busiest days for many businesses, creating the need for more parking space turnover in the city.
In March 2023, the city started enforcing parking meters on Sundays from noon to 8 p.m. near Lake Merritt, which has improved parking availability in the area and raised approximately $511,000 per year, Oakland transportation officials said. Now, the city hopes to achieve similar results by expanding the policy to all Oakland streets.
“Our business community will also benefit from Sunday metering because it encourages parking turnover, allowing more customers to visit these establishments,” said Oakland Department of Transportation director Josh Rowan.