Parking meter enforcement changes take effect around San Diego

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) -- Several changes to parking meters are happening around San Diego which affect where and for how long drivers decide to park in certain neighborhoods.

• Watch the report about the parking meter changes by FOX 5/KUSI's Jennifer Franco above, which aired on Aug. 22.

The city recently extended parking meter enforcement hours by two hours on multiple streets in Pacific Beach and surrounding areas of Mid-City.

Meter hours in Pacific Beach were extended from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. while meter hours in and around Mid-City were extended from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

City crews are expected to finish updating the meters in the Mid-City area and surrounding neighborhoods to reflect the new hours of enforcement by Wednesday.

The affected streets include parts of North Park, South Park, Normal Heights, City Heights, College Area and others. A map of the area impacted by the new parking enforcement rules can be found here.

Enforcement on Sundays are only on El Cajon Boulevard, not including side streets.

Parking meter rates will remain the same at $2.50 an hour.

The meter changes are expected to roll out in downtown San Diego and the Uptown communities of Hillcrest, Mission Hills and Bankers Hill by Oct. 1. However, streets near the waterfront will not be affected by the meter enforcement extensions because they are managed by the Port of San Diego, which sets its own parking rates.

Starting Sept. 1, drivers wanting to park near Petco Park may also be subjected to the city's new Special Event Parking Zone, which will increase the rate to $10 per hour during large events at the ballpark, including Padres games and concerts.

The city says these changes are intended to generate more funding for infrastructure improvements in the areas impacted by the new rules, as well as help the city address a quarter of a billion dollar budget gap.