We are writing to provide you with an important update regarding the Residential Permit Parking (RPP) Program that has been under consideration for East San Rafael neighborhoods.
The development of the Residential Permit Parking Program was identified as part of the City Council’s 2023–2025 Goals and Objectives, specifically under the initiative to “assess the feasibility and revise the City’s current residential parking permit program to address overcrowding of neighborhood parking in a cost-neutral and equitable manner.”
Over the past year, City staff partnered with Dixon to complete a comprehensive assessment of parking in East San Rafael, analyzing more than a dozen potential program scenarios. This effort included extensive community engagement through surveys, focus groups, direct outreach, and meetings with the East San Rafael Parking Task Force. While there was initial interest in exploring a more structured approach to parking management, the feedback revealed that there is not enough community consensus to move forward with the proposed program.
Specifically, community members shared concerns about:
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No guarantee of receiving a permit,
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Added financial burden for something that has historically been free
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Difficulty registering visitor permits
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Potential for increased parking citations due to confusion or technicalities around the program’s structure
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Families with multiple households at one address needing more flexibility
Given the concerns raised, the absence of clear community support, and the lack of other program alternatives which are both equitable and cost neutral, the City has decided not to move forward with the implementation of a pilot RPP program. A detailed update will be included in the Mid-Year Strategic Plan Update, which will be presented to the City Council in early 2026.
We appreciate the time and input that the community has provided throughout this process. Resident feedback was essential in helping us understand the diverse perspectives and needs within the East San Rafael community. We remain committed to working collaboratively on future initiatives that can improve quality of life in your neighborhood.