OVERVIEW

Enforcement of state and municipal parking regulations is one of the responsibilities of the Parking Division of the Transportation Department. With over 350 miles of roadway to patrol on a 24-hour basis and hundreds of thousands of vehicles traveling through the City everyday, this is no small task! Nonetheless, parking enforcement officers are well-trained to meet the many challenges and are available and willing to provide all residents, visitors and guests of Pasadena with fast and courteous service. 

Parking is not allowed on City streets between 2 AM and 6 AM unless posted otherwise.  However, if you or your guests need to park on-street temporarily during these hours, you must purchase a temporary overnight parking exemption (TOPE) at one of the five conveniently located TOPEKs or online TOPEO.  During the year-end holidays, we understand many residents will be entertaining family and friends and enjoying our world famous Rose Parade. Commonly, a few days before Christmas (December 25) through January 2, the City of Pasadena lifts the overnight parking restriction (click here for current Holiday Overnight Parking Citation Moratorium information). During this time, there is no need to purchase a TOPE.

For daytime temporary exemptions you can call the Department of Transportation Parking Division at (626) 744-6440 and request an exemption. You will need to provide your name, the location where the vehicle requiring the exemption is parked, a phone number where you can be reached, the length of time you need to park on the street, and a description of the vehicle.  The vehicle description should include the make, model, color and license plate number of the vehicle.  You can request 5 exemptions for each vehicle during a 6-month period.  If you need to park more often, you can apply for an annual permit at Municipal Services Division, 100 N. Garfield Ave., #106. 

Parking enforcement is available 24 hours daily in the City of Pasadena.  If you are unable to reach a person by phone, please leave a message on voice mail and your information will be retrieved as soon as possible. If you have any questions about the Department of Transportation parking regulations or to request parking enforcement services, you can call (626) 744-6440.

Below are answers to commonly asked questions:

What if I suspect a vehicle parked on City property or on a City street is abandoned?

If you have a problem with a possible abandoned vehicle, contact the Police Department at (626) 744-4241. When calling, you must state the reason why you feel the vehicle is abandoned, provide a description of the vehicle and the location the vehicle is parked.

How can I get enforcement on my street?

Please call the Parking Division at (626) 744-6440 and identify your situation (i.e., blocked driveway, blocked sidewalk, vehicles parking over the posted or painted time limit, overnight parking violations, etc.).  When calling, you will need to provide pertinent information, which will assist us in providing you immediate assistance. In most instances, it is not necessary for you to leave your name or phone number, but this information does help in case we need to call you for clarification (i.e. when an officer is unable to locate a vehicle or its location). The information you provide is confidential. We are here to assist you.

Please understand that your call will not always result in a parking citation or vehicle tow automatically. Parking enforcement officers are authorized to cite or tow only under certain conditions, which are specifically referenced in the Pasadena Municipal Code and the California Vehicle Code.

Why can’t I park on City streets between the hours of 2 a.m. and 6 a.m.?

The answer is two-fold: safety and cleanliness. With an overnight restriction, it is easier to identify vehicles which do not belong to residents or their guests, thus making it easy to request that intruders leave the area immediately. Also, street sweeping takes place during these hours, allowing the City of Pasadena to remain clean and beautiful.

What do I need to obtain an Overnight or Daytime Annual Parking Permit?

Applications are available at Municipal Services Division, 280 Ramona Street from 7:30 am to 5:15 pm Monday to Friday. Your application must be filled out completely and submitted to obtain a temporary exemption to park on the street while your application is being processed.

Your application for a parking permit may be denied for one or more of the following reasons:

1)       Available parking spaces are not being used for parking of vehicles.

2)       There is adequate room to park all vehicles on the premises.

3)       Parking is available, either free or paid, within 600 feet of your residence.

4)       All vehicles at your residence, including those for which parking permits are not applied for, are not currently registered at the location. (i.e. a copy of all vehicle registrations must be submitted and listed on # 10 of your Application for Parking Permit).

5)       A letter does not accompany application for a vehicle used for business purposes from employer on company letterhead (stating that applicant can drive vehicle home & store vehicle on street).

6)       Two permits of the same type are currently issued to your residence.

7)       There are outstanding parking citations on any vehicle at the residence.

What if a vehicle is parked on my private property and I need someone to cite the vehicle for illegal parking?

To issue a citation on private property, the property must have appropriate signs posted stating that the parking spaces are for private use only and unauthorized vehicles will be cited or towed at the owner’s expense. Proper Pasadena Municipal Code and California Vehicle Codes must be displayed on the signs. Specifications for the required signs can be obtained from the Parking Division by calling (626) 744-6440. These signs are purchased and posted by the property owner and must be displayed in highly visible locations.

The City does not tow vehicles parked on private property but will issue citations for violators as a service to owners of the property. In order to issue citations on private property, the Parking Division must have a letter on file stating the person(s) authorized to request citations. When calling for parking enforcement services please provide your name, phone number and the description of the vehicle(s), which you are requesting to be cited. The owner or designee must be present when the officer issues the citation and the name of the person requesting services will be placed on the citation.

What if I received a citation on private property and I feel I was authorized to park in the spaces provided?

Citations given on private property are at the request of owners (or designees) of the private property. The City provides enforcement of private parking facilities as an added service to the community and only at the request of those authorized to request citations. For this reason, the City cannot dismiss a parking citation unless a letter from the owner on the owner’s letterhead is submitted with an administrative review form for contesting the citation.

What can I do if I feel a parking citation was given to me in error?

You may contest a parking citation through an initial review as long as you request an initial review form within 21 days of the mailing date of the delinquent parking notice. An initial review form must be completed and a copy of the citation must be submitted to the Municipal Services Division. Once received by Municipal Services, the investigation and review process takes approximately 3 months. Do not pay the citation fine until the results of the investigation are mailed to you.  If your parking citation is being upheld and you wish to further appeal, notify the Municipal Services Division with your written request for an administrative hearing before the Hearing Officer.

How do I get an administrative review form or setup a hearing?

To receive an administrative review form, call the Municipal Services Division at (626) 744-4360, Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m., or visit their office at 280 Ramona Street.

What if I do not pay parking violation fines?

Failure to pay outstanding parking fines and penalties will result in the withholding of vehicle registration by the Department of Motor Vehicles and may subject the vehicle to impoundment. In addition, you may be subject to a civil judgment.