Parking Complaints
Parking Enforcement and Complaints
The City of East Palo Alto is committed to maintaining safe, accessible, and clean neighborhoods. To support this mission, the City has partnered with LAZ Parking to implement a new citywide parking enforcement program. Starting in April 2026, professional Parking Enforcement Officers will provide consistent, proactive patrols to ensure compliance with the East Palo Alto Municipal Code and the California Vehicle Code.
Why Parking Enforcement Is Being Expanded
The expansion of parking enforcement is a City Council Strategic Priority (Project PH-1) aimed at improving the quality of life for residents. Key goals of the program include:
- Improving Safety: Ensuring fire hydrants, red zones, and sidewalks remain clear.
- Neighborhood Access: Addressing blocked driveways and reducing abandoned vehicles and long-term vehicle storage.
- Cleaner Streets: Supporting street sweeping efforts to keep debris out of our stormwater systems.
- Responsiveness: Providing a two-hour response time for parking-related complaints.
Education Period (April 1–14)
To ensure a fair transition, the first two weeks of April will serve as an education-first phase. During this window, LAZ Parking Enforcement Officers will act as community ambassadors, engaging with the public and issuing warning notices instead of citations to explain local regulations.
Please be aware that the East Palo Alto Police Department will continue to issue parking citations during this time.
Full Enforcement Begins April 15
Beginning April 15, 2026, the program will move to full deployment. At this time, LAZ Parking Enforcement Officers will begin issuing citations for violations observed during citywide patrols or reported by the community.
What Residents Should Know
- Identification: Officers will wear professional ambassador-style uniforms and drive clearly marked vehicles that are distinct from the Police Department.
- Fairness: Enforcement is based on data and community needs, with no citation quotas ever used to measure performance.
- Technology: Officers use GPS-enabled tools and digital photography to ensure all citations are accurate and documented.
Contact Information
For questions regarding the program or to report a parking violation, please contact the East Palo Alto Police Department parking enforcement hotline at (650) 853-5940.
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Community FAQ
- Why is East Palo Alto increasing parking enforcement? The City Council identified expanding parking capacity as a Strategic Priority to improve public health, safety, and the overall quality of life by ensuring streets are clean and accessible.
- Who will be enforcing the parking rules? The City has contracted with LAZ Parking, a firm with extensive experience in municipal parking, to provide dedicated enforcement services.
- What happens between April 1 and April 14? This is a “soft enforcement” period focused on education. LAZ Parking Enforcement Officers will issue warnings and talk to residents to help them understand the City’s parking rules.
- When do citations start? LAZ Parking will begin full enforcement and issue citations starting on April 15, 2026.
- Are these new officers part of the Police Department? No, they are professional contractors who work closely with the East Palo Alto Police Department. The new Parking Enforcement Officers will wear distinct uniforms and drive different vehicles to avoid confusion with sworn police officers.
- Will this help with someone blocking my driveway? Yes. Addressing blocked driveways is a core part of the program, with a goal of responding to such complaints within two hours.
- How will enforcement help with street sweeping? Officers will patrol ahead of sweepers to ensure cars are moved, which allows the City to properly clean the streets and protect our stormwater management.
- What about cars left on the street for weeks? The program includes identifying and documenting abandoned vehicles and long-term storage to keep neighborhood parking available for active residents.
- How do I report a parking problem? The process for reporting parking problems will remain the same. You can report concerns by calling the Parking Hotline at (650) 853-5940 and leaving a voice message, or by emailing parkingenforcement@cityofepa.org with details and photos relating to your complaint. A Parking Enforcement Officer will be dispatched to investigate.
- Does the program cover the whole city? Yes, enforcement will be citywide, including residential neighborhoods and school zones.
- What if I get a ticket I don’t deserve? All citations are documented with digital photographs and location data to ensure accuracy. Appeals are handled through the Police Department's existing administrative process.
- Will officers be patrolling at night? The program will provide coverage 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and as needed to address community parking issues.
- How can I identify a Parking Enforcement Officer? They will be in clearly marked parking enforcement vehicles and professional uniforms that identify them as City-authorized parking enforcement officers.
In an emergency or to report crimes in progress call 9-1-1.
