2025 COUNCIL STUDY ISSUE
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Title
CDD 25-01 Consider a Fee for Private Vehicles Parking on City Streets
BACKGROUND
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Lead Department: |
Community Development Department |
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Support Departments: |
Department of Public Works |
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Office of the City Attorney Office of the City Manager |
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Sponsor(s): |
Planning Commission |
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History: |
New Study Issue |
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Council Strategic Priority: |
Yes |
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(At time of sponsorship) |
Ability of Infrastructure to Support Development and Traffic |
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Accelerating Climate Action, the Active Transportation Plan and Vision Zero Plan |
SCOPE OF THE STUDY
What precipitated this study?
City staff are currently working on a study issue to evaluate the minimum automobile off-street parking requirements for residential uses (Study Issue CDD 19-07). When staff presented initial findings during the February 26, 2024, Planning Commission hearing, former Commissioner Howard commented if off-street parking requirements were reduced, there may be an increase in demand for on-street parking. He subsequently proposed a motion to include a study of implementing on-street parking fees for everyone except low-income individuals and allocate the generated revenue to fund public transportation improvements. The Planning Commission declined to include this component in the final motion and suggested a separate study issue.
Former Planning Commissioner Howard provided a Study Issue Form to staff on May 2, 2024, to consider a fee for private vehicles parked on City streets. The study issue idea was subsequently agendized for discussion at the June 10, 2024, Planning Commission hearing where the commissioners supported the idea on a 5-0 vote with two absent.
Some commissioners at the hearing were supportive of evaluating an expanded permit parking program with the notion it could help fund public transportation programs such as the Silicon Valley Hopper. It could also help discourage ownership of multiple vehicles. Commissioners also thought an expanded program may be more appropriate in certain areas, not on a citywide basis. Some commissioners were also concerned about equity among residents, an expanded bureaucracy, and burden on staff. They noted exemptions should be considered, such as for lower income residents. The Planning Commission concluded that more data would be needed to explore this topic.
There is an existing petition-based on-street permit parking program, codified in Chapter 10.26 of the Sunnyvale Municipal Code, that is administered by the Department of Public Works. At least half of the residents of a proposed preferential permit parking zone would need to sign the petition. Next, the Department of Public Works would conduct a parking study to determine if warranted. The City Council would decide whether to establish the preferential permit parking zone. The process timeline can take approximately one year. Residents are not required to purchase a permit, but must abide by the posted time restrictions. Each permit currently costs around $25 per vehicle (up to three permits allowed) and is subject to an annual renewal fee.
There are also Climate Action Playbook policies for identifying areas appropriate for parking pricing strategies that discourage vehicle use, such as in Downtown.
What are the key elements of the study?
The proposed study issue is intended to complement the results of the separate study issue in process to study minimum automobile off-street parking requirements for residential uses, in anticipation of a reduced parking requirement.
City streets and the existing preferential permit parking program are under the jurisdiction of the Department of Public Works, who would need to be closely involved, if not the responsible department, should this study issue be ranked.
The study would explore feasible locations, including whether a citywide approach should be considered or be limited to parking-impacted areas. The existing program would be studied to decide whether any structural changes would be needed, such as eliminating the requirement for a neighborhood petition. If there is a desire to include exemptions, such as for low-income households or low-carbon impact vehicles, there would need to be extensive study of the exemption criteria. There would be significant public outreach, as this would affect the daily parking habits of most Sunnyvale residents. Study sessions are also anticipated with the Planning Commission, Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission, and City Council.
If implemented, most households in Sunnyvale would need to consider whether to purchase and maintain a permit each year. Some households may be inclined to purchase a permit due to limited off-street parking available. Additional staffing is anticipated to administer an expanded program, which may necessitate increased permit costs for residents.
Staff does not provide a recommendation on the merit of the study issue at this time per the Study Issue Policy. Sponsored study issues would be considered by the City Council for ranking at the February 13, 2025, Study Issues/Budget Proposals Workshop.
Estimated years to complete study: 2-3 years
FISCAL IMPACT
Cost to Conduct Study
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Level of staff effort required (opportunity cost): |
Major |
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Funding Required for Non-Budgeted Costs: |
Unknown |
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Funding Source: |
Will seek budget supplement - General Fund |
Costs are unknown at this time due to the broad scope and significant work effort anticipated. Consultant(s) would be hired for public outreach, to conduct parking studies, coordinate between departments, research programs in other jurisdictions, identify recommended locations for permit parking, draft Municipal Code updates, and advise on implementation procedures, including a fee structure.
Cost to Implement Study Results
Unknown. Study would include assessment of potential costs. Staff anticipates increased operating and staffing costs associated with an expanded program, but this may be offset by revenue from permit parking.
EXPECTED CITY COUNCIL, BOARD OR COMMISSION PARTICIPATION
Council-Approved Work Plan: Yes
Council Study Session: Yes
Reviewed by Boards/Commissions: Planning Commission, Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Vote whether to sponsor the study issue from the Proposed Study Issues list.