Long Beach, CA Parking Rules: Preferential Parking Districts (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing authority
- Cal. Veh. Code §§ 22507, 22507.5
- District petition threshold
- 2/3 of residents fronting the curbs
- High-demand criterion
- Over 75% of on-street spaces occupied
- Residential permits per address
- Up to 3, plus 1 guest permit
- Temporary permit limit
- 7 consecutive days maximum
- Misuse penalty
- $100 infraction fine, permit revocation
- Overnight-district hours
- No unpermitted parking 2:00-6:00 a.m.
Summary
Long Beach forms preferential parking districts under LBMC Chapter 10.32 when residents petition the City Council to curb nonresident on-street parking. A district requires a two-thirds resident petition, a public hearing, and proof the area meets the City's demand criteria before permits are issued.
A.The City Traffic Engineer shall provide petition forms for preferential parking districts.B.Designation.1.Proceedings for designating a preferential parking district may be initiated by petition containing the signatures of at least two-thirds (⅔) of the residents of all units of occupancy fronting curbs proposed to be included in the district...C.Following the receipt of the petition, and following the public hearing, the City Council shall determine if the district is to be designated for preferential parking. That determination shall be based upon, but not limited to, substantial compliance with the following guidelines:1.High demand. More than seventy-five percent (75%) of on-street spaces are occupied during period proposed for parking restriction or prohibition.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Municipal Code: Supplement 52 Update 1 | City Charter: Supplement 5).
Full Breakdown
5, lets the City Traffic Engineer accept petitions signed by at least two-thirds of residents of units fronting the curbs proposed for inclusion. The City Clerk must mail hearing notice at least ten days ahead to owners, residents and commercial occupants within the proposed district and within 400 feet of its boundary. 020(C): "high demand" means more than 75 percent of on-street spaces occupied during the proposed restriction period, the area must be a "reasonably self-contained area of parking demand and supply," and for daytime-only districts more than 50 percent of curbside vehicles must belong to nonresidents.
030: residential (up to three per address), guest (one per address, not vehicle-specific), and temporary (valid up to seven consecutive days for bona fide guests). Permits are issued on a calendar-year basis expiring December 31 and may not be sold or transferred. m. The City Traffic Engineer reviews each district annually and may recommend termination if eligible residents largely fail to obtain permits, and the Council can also terminate a district on a majority-plus-one resident petition.
Violations & Fines
Selling or transferring a preferential parking permit is an infraction punishable by a $100 fine under LBMC § 10.32.070. The Director of Financial Management may revoke any permit for misuse, and a person whose permit is revoked cannot get a new one for one full year after revocation, and only after reapplying and paying the renewal fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a neighborhood get a preferential parking district in Long Beach?
How many parking permits can one address get?
Can I get a short-term permit for a visiting guest?
What happens if I sell or misuse my permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Long Beach
California rules heatmap·Compare Long Beach to another location·View the California parking rules overview
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Preferential Parking Districts in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle preferential parking districts.