San Diego council proposes free parking for residents in Balboa Park

Proposal would suspend paid parking for city residents but continue charging non-residents, raising concerns over budget impacts.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 9:23pm

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Three San Diego City Councilmembers have proposed suspending paid parking in Balboa Park for city residents, while continuing to charge non-residents. The proposal, which is expected to get additional support, comes amid widespread public backlash against the city's paid parking program in the park. However, the move would widen an already large budget deficit for the cash-strapped city by several million dollars.

Why it matters

Balboa Park is a beloved public space in San Diego, and the city's paid parking program has faced significant opposition from residents and park advocates. The council's proposal to suspend fees for residents aims to address this backlash, but it raises concerns about the financial impacts on the city's budget, which is already strained.

The details

The proposal, which will be voted on February 9, would suspend paid parking in Balboa Park for city residents but continue to charge non-residents. While three votes on the nine-member council is not enough to make a policy change, it's expected the proposal will get additional support from three councilmembers who have long opposed any parking fees in the park. The city council also abruptly canceled a plan to launch Sunday meter enforcement, which was estimated to generate $2.8 million in annual revenue.

  • The city council will vote on the proposal to suspend resident parking fees on February 9, 2026.
  • The city council canceled plans for Sunday meter enforcement in Balboa Park on January 27, 2026.

The players

Joe LaCava

San Diego City Council President, one of the three councilmembers proposing the Balboa Park parking changes.

Kent Lee

San Diego City Councilmember, one of the three proposing the Balboa Park parking changes.

Sean Elo-Rivera

San Diego City Councilmember, one of the three proposing the Balboa Park parking changes.

Todd Gloria

Mayor of San Diego, who has pushed back against criticism of paid parking in Balboa Park.

Balboa Park Cultural Partnership

A group that has led the recent charge against paid parking in Balboa Park.

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What they’re saying

“Today's proposal to suspend resident parking fees is an important first step as we continue to work with the City and City Council to return free parking to Balboa Park such that we don't impact the people of our region.”

— Balboa Park Cultural Partnership (Prepared statement)

“We have seen and heard the clear frustration.”

— Kent Lee, San Diego City Councilmember (San Diego Union-Tribune)

“San Diego residents should know they have been subsidizing the pleasure, play and profit of people from other cities.”

— Sean Elo-Rivera, San Diego City Councilmember (San Diego Union-Tribune)

What’s next

The San Diego City Council will vote on the proposal to suspend resident parking fees in Balboa Park on February 9, 2026.

The takeaway

The San Diego City Council's proposal to suspend paid parking for residents in Balboa Park is a response to widespread public backlash, but it raises concerns about the financial impacts on the city's already strained budget. The council's retreat on parking revenue and Sunday meter enforcement highlights the difficult trade-offs facing local leaders as they balance community priorities with fiscal realities.