La Habra, CA Parking Rules: Preferential Parking Districts (2026)

Before creating a zone, § 10.20.270(C) requires the council to make four findings: that the zone is necessary to provide reasonably available parking for the adjacent residences, that it will encourage carpooling, that it will enhance or protect the area's quality of life, and that it will push nonresident vehicles toward off-street parking facilities. Subsection D lists the factors the council weighs first, including whether outside vehicles regularly crowd out a majority of the available spaces, generate litter, noise, traffic hazards or property devaluation, whether residents want the zone, and whether a parking shortage or a practical alternative exists.

Once designated, the city traffic engineer posts signs, and subsection F governs the resident permits themselves: an applicant files a written application with the chief of police showing name, address and proof of residence, and once approved and the council-set fee is paid, the city issues four resident parking permits per qualifying residence. Permits stay valid only while the named applicant lives at that address and cannot be transferred to a new resident, a different residence, or another property; lost or missing permits can be replaced by serial number.

Subsection G exempts emergency vehicles, city and public-utility vehicles on official business, commercial vehicles serving an adjacent residence, and U.S. Postal Service vehicles from the zone's posted restrictions. The council may disestablish or modify any zone by resolution whenever it finds doing so serves the public interest.