Key Finding
This isn't a parking shortage - it's a distribution problem.
The City commissioned a study to expand paid parking to 979 spaces. The Downtown Parking Structure sits 56% empty on weekdays, but they want to charge for surface lots that are near capacity. Employees are taking prime spots meant for shoppers.
Feb/March 2026
979 currently free
Here's what the study actually says - and what it means for you. ↓
Where Parking Would Change
Map locations are approximate based on the Attachment D study map (Page 207). Click markers for details.
The Proposal at a Glance
Source: Attachment D, Page 207 of the Ventura Parking Area Study
Calculate Your Impact
How much could paid parking cost you?
Current: $0.50-$1.00/hr
📬 Stay Updated
This analysis took 45 hours to research and build. We want to do this for every major Ventura decision.
Next topics we're considering:
- •Government spend tracker
- •Proposed development map
- •Rate increase notifications
- •Gas leak intelligence
Quick poll: Would you pay $10/month for tools like this on every major city decision?
If 50 people say yes, we build it.
Downtown Parking: Will You Need to Pay?
This model uses the study's peak occupancy data for downtown Ventura to estimate how often free parking might be full when you visit - and what that could cost you.
Downtown Core Parking Risk Estimator
Based on City Study Datathat free is full
visits/month
at least once
📊 How is this calculated? (Data Sources)
Peak occupancy data:
- Table 3.4 – July Weekend Peak Parking Occupancy (Page 70): 97.3% peak occupancy
This is a study-based estimate using observed peak occupancy data from the City of Ventura Parking Area Study (December 2025). It does not predict real-time availability. Actual conditions vary by day, time, and season.
Rates: $1.00/hr on Main Street and California Street; $0.50/hr on all other paid on-street segments. Source: Table 2.2, Page 55.
Where Does the Money Go?
The transparency problem: The Parking Advisory Committee is supposed to review budgets, but the City publishes only minimal agendas. There are no staff reports, detailed budgets, revenue summaries, or expenditure reports. Residents can't verify whether existing meter revenue has been reinvested as promised.
Community Concerns
The Real Problem
The study data reveals this is about parking distribution, not capacity. There's plenty of parking - it's just in the wrong places.
💡 The Study's Own Data Shows:
- •The Downtown Parking Structure has 250+ empty spaces even on busy weekdays
- •Employees park in prime curb spaces all day - blocking turnover for shoppers
- •Better signage and employee parking policies could solve this without meters
- •The study does NOT conclude paid parking is required - it's one of several options