Hermosa Beach merchants urged the City Council to restore free holiday parking in written comments submitted for its Nov. 10 meeting, arguing that the program supports downtown businesses during an important shopping season.
The council suspended the 2026 program on Oct. 13, then agreed Oct. 27 to reconsider it, according to the city’s holiday parking staff report.
The program covers 388 silver-post meters, primarily along Hermosa and Pier avenues. Staff said complimentary parking would retain the meters’ posted two- or three-hour limits, with citations still issued for overstaying or violating other parking regulations.
The city has offered versions of the holiday program since 2013. Staff estimated that a three-week program would forgo approximately $200,400 in meter and citation revenue, or $66,795 per week.
In written comments accompanying the meeting agenda, Chamber of Commerce representative Michelle Crispin requested at least two weeks of complimentary parking and a recurring budget allocation for future years.
Sol Baby owner Gina Rothwell also supported restoring the program, saying local businesses should not have to advocate for it each holiday season. Other commenters questioned whether free parking increases retail sales and urged the city to collect evidence.
Separately, the council’s agenda included a review of residential and employee parking permits. The permit staff report presented residential fee options of $70, $80, $90 or $100, compared with the $60 fee in place before the meeting.
The report recorded 6,373 residential permits issued for the 2026–27 season and outlined potential changes for 2027–28.
