Pay or Permit Parking Expansion Project

At a Glance

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) is studying replacing visitor time limits with paid parking on Residential Permit Parking (RPP) blocks in Hayes Valley (HV Permit Area). This regulation, called Pay or Permit Parking, already exists on about 30 blocks in the neighborhood.

Pay or Permit Parking makes it easier for both residents and visitors to find a place to park in neighborhoods with high demand for parking. Residents with permits can park without paying, while visitors pay for the time they need. 

Project Background

San Francisco introduced Pay or Permit Parking in 2018 as part of a broader effort to modernize and improve our decades-old RPP program. The goal was to make it easier for people to find parking in busy neighborhoods, especially where demand for parking often outpaces supply.

In vibrant neighborhoods like Hayes Valley, where residents, visitors, and businesses all compete for limited curb space, traditional RPP time limits haven’t always worked well. Visitors often stay longer than allowed, risking tickets or needing to move their cars mid-visit. Meanwhile, residents regularly struggle to find parking near home, even with a permit.

Pay or Permit Parking offers a more flexible and fair approach. Residents with permits can still park without paying hourly rates, while visitors pay for the time they need, whether it’s a quick errand or a longer stay to shop, dine, or visit friends. This means there are fewer cars parked all day and more chances for everyone to find a spot when they need one.

In 2023, the SFMTA received a $1.5 million Local Parking Management Capital and Implementation Grant from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) to extend this regulation into more areas. As part of the grant, the MTC will study the regulation's impact on congestion and air quality. 

Here’s how it works for blocks with Pay or Permit Parking:

Permitholders: Park without a time limit; no payment required (beyond the annual permit fee)

Visitors: Park without a time limit; pay for desired parking time via paystation or mobile device. Individual spaces are not marked or metered. 

Current Rates: $1 to $3.25 per hour. Average of $2 an hour.

The SFMTA implemented Pay or Permit Parking in portions of Hayes Valley in early 2023. This initiative has successfully improved parking availability allowing more residents to park near their homes. The number of available parking spaces increased by 5% on average, or about 1 parking space per block. The number of parked vehicles with a permit increased by 10% even though total permitted cars stayed the same. indicating that residents who park on the street had an easier time finding parking.

Allowing visitors to stay longer than two hours gives them the freedom to enjoy the neighborhood without the hassle of moving their car before the two-hour time limit expires or get a ticket if they forget. At the same time, the payment ensures that people stay only as long as they need and then make their space available to the next person. Most RPP blocks near commercial corridors are occupied by non-residents, many of whom stay longer than the posted time limits. On blocks where Pay or Permit Parking was implemented, twice as many visitors stayed for 2-4 hours to shop, dine, and socialize compared to RPP blocks. At the same time fewer commuters parked all day, freeing up spaces for residents and customers.

Pay or Permit Parking Benefits

Benefits for Residents: Makes on-street parking easier for you and your guests. The increased availability means that there’s less congestion and pollution from vehicles circling for a space.  

Benefits for Businesses: It supports thriving neighborhoods by making it easier for customers to find parking. It also offers flexibility for employees and customers who no longer need to move their car every two hours or risk getting a ticket. 

Benefits for Visitors: Reduces hassle by allowing visitors to pay for parking as needed, avoiding the stress of moving their car every two hours or the risk of getting a pricey ticket. Parking is easier to find, increasing the time spent dining, shopping, or socializing. Caregiver and visitor permits will continue to be available for longer visits and can be purchased online or in person. 

Pay or Permit Expansion Project and Timeline

The SFMTA is studying expanding to additional blocks of Hayes Valley and other neighborhoods based on community interest. Outreach will continue in 2025, and staff will refine the proposal based on feedback.