Berkeley’s City Council voted Tuesday to adopt some changes to the city’s parking policies that will extend meter times and zones of operation.
The city plans to extend parking meter operating hours from 6 to 8 p.m. citywide and start charging for parking on Sundays.
The changes will also expand meter zones to more commercial areas with high demand for parking, like Fifth Street between University Avenue and Virginia Street, and to transition to cashless pay stations, as well as adjust various fees and fines.
San Francisco, Oakland and some other nearby cities operate parking meters late and on Sundays, so the idea isn’t unheard of in the Bay Area.
According to a report from Berkeley City Manager Paul Buddenhagen, these changes are necessary for revenue from city parking to keep pace with the cost of operating the parking programs. The report says the city expects a nearly $5 million net increase in annual revenue from all their planned changes.
The changes are also intended to increase parking spot turnover that would make parking spaces available more frequently in high-demand commercial districts.
Daniel Duque-Estrada lives in El Sobrante, but he said he drives to Berkeley often and has appreciated the free parking on Sundays.
“I kind of plan my schedule so I can just park on the street after 6,” he said. “And on Sundays, oh my god, it’s a boon.”
Duque-Estrada said extended hours would make his visits harder to plan.
“I take my kid a lot to the bookstore and to get ice cream,” he said when asked what he thought about the potential parking changes. “I think it would affect the timing of things — and whether I do something, which of course will affect local businesses. I’m one person. I’m not the only one thinking this way.”
Della Luna spoke during public comment at the City Council meeting.
“This doesn’t seem like the right time,” she said. “Costs are going up for people everywhere.”
Councilmember Mark Humbert voted in favor of the changes, but said he commiserated with those who had concerns.
“I understand that people feel nickel and dimed by things like additional metered parking days and longer hours to pay at parking meters,” he said. “But at the same time, we’re talking about using 200 square feet of public space to store a private vehicle. That should carry a cost.”
The report presented to the council says the changes will start rolling out in early fiscal year 2027. Exact dates haven’t been decided. In the meantime, the council plans to focus on educating the public about the new parking rules.