Santa Monica Cracks Down on Overnight Parking with New Warning and Towing Signs

Santa Monica city officials installed a series of new warning signs earlier this week in an effort to enforce overnight parking restrictions at public beach lots. The initiative includes both standard signage detailing fines and towing fees as well as illuminated electronic signs that flash messages such as "VIOLATOR WILL BE TOWED" and "NO OVERNITE PARKING." 

The standard warning signs specify penalties for violators, including a $63 no-parking fine, a $172.45 paperwork fee, and towing costs starting at $272, with daily storage fees beginning at $78. Medium and heavy-duty vehicles face even higher towing fees, which can exceed $500. The electronic signs further emphasize the city’s regulations prohibiting parking from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., ensuring that the rules are clearly communicated at all hours.

The crackdown comes amid weeks of tension over overnight parking at Lot 5 near Santa Monica Beach, where RV and bus owners have frequently parked in violation of the rules. The lot has also been a focal point of an ongoing protest led by the Homeless Advocacy for a Constitutional Convention (HACC), which began on October 29, 2024, to advocate for systemic reform and unhoused individuals’ rights to occupy public spaces.

Santa Monica Closeup photojournalist Fabian Lewkowicz recently spoke with RV and bus residents who had previously parked overnight. Some explained that they preferred paying the $63 fine over relocating to RV campsites, citing the lot’s affordability and safety. However, since the installation of the new signs, there has been a noticeable reduction in overnight parking. Whether this is due to compliance with the regulations or a response to the financial burden of potential towing fees remains unclear.

The Santa Monica Police Department has yet to release a formal statement regarding its enforcement plans or potential actions for repeat violations. City officials, however, have indicated that towing may soon be implemented for vehicles with unpaid fines. The additional signage, especially the illuminated displays, appears to be reinforcing the city’s message and deterring parking violations.

As the situation continues to develop, residents, activists, and city officials remain engaged in addressing the overlapping concerns of parking enforcement, transient vehicle owners, and ongoing protests. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.