TO: CITY COUNCIL
FROM: ADAM PIRRIE, CITY MANAGER
DATE: JULY 14, 2026
Reviewed by:
City Manager: AP
SUBJECT:
Title
INFORMATIONAL UPDATE REGARDING OVERNIGHT PARKING CONCERNS RAISED BY RESIDENTS OF BONITA AVENUE APARTMENT COMPLEXES (FUNDING SOURCE: GENERAL FUND)
Body
SUMMARY
During recent City Council meetings, residents of two apartment communities located along Bonita Avenue expressed concerns regarding the loss of overnight parking previously available through private agreements between St. Ambrose Episcopal Church and nearby tenants. Residents also expressed concerns regarding citations issued under the City's Overnight Parking Ordinance after the private parking arrangement ended.
At the direction of the City Council, staff has prepared this informational report to summarize the issues raised by residents, provide background regarding the City's Overnight Parking Ordinance, describe staff's outreach efforts, and outline potential considerations discussed with property management.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommended Action
Staff recommends the City Council receive and file an informational report regarding overnight parking concerns raised by residents of apartment communities located along Bonita Avenue, and provide further direction to staff.
Body
ALTERNATIVE TO RECOMMENDATION
In addition to the recommendation, there is the following alternative:
• The City Council may provide other direction to staff.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
A records check of the area surrounding two apartment complexes for citations revealed that 135 citations for Overnight Parking (ONP) violations were issued. The locations that were included in the records search were 630 W. Bonita Avenue, and the cross streets of Baylor/Cambridge, Baylor/N. Mountain, Cambridge/W. Bonita, Carnegie/W. Bonita, Mountain/W. Bonita, N. Mountain/W. Bonita, W. Bonita/Cambridge, W. Bonita/Carnegie, W. Bonita/Mountain, W. Bonita/ N. Mountain and W. Bonita/Taylor. A total of 135 citations were issued from May 1, 2026, through June 30, 2026. Of the 135 citations, only eight could be directly linked to the two apartment complexes. Each citation was checked for the registered address associated with the license plate. It is possible that additional ONP citations could be associated with the apartment complexes, but we are unable to verify as vehicle owners may not have updated their new address information with the DMV.
The Police Department has two part-time Police Aides that work 20 hours per week assigned to ONP enforcement. The costs of these positions are budgeted at $48,035 and $50,031 for 2026-27 and 2027-28, respectively.
The 135 citations resulted in fines of $7,344 (several include multiple violations on the same citation or penalties for late payments). Of the total fine amount of $7,344, the eight ONP citations related to the apartment complexes equaled $400.
The staff cost to prepare this report and conduct associated outreach/research is estimated at $2,500 and is included in the operating budget of the Administrative Services, Community Development, Police, and Finance Departments.
ANALYSIS
Section 10.32.210 of the Claremont Municipal Code (“Overnight Parking Ordinance”) prohibits parking any vehicle on a City street for more than one hour between the hours of 2:00 AM and 6:00 AM. The ordinance, which has been in place for decades, was adopted to promote public safety; facilitate street maintenance and beautification efforts; and support the orderly use of public streets throughout the community. The ordinance includes several existing exceptions, including:
• Residents and visitors may request up to three overnight parking exemptions per vehicle each month through the Claremont Police Department's online permit system.
• Vehicles displaying a valid disabled parking placard are exempt from the City's overnight parking restrictions.
For several years, residents of nearby apartment communities utilized overnight parking spaces located on property owned by St. Ambrose Episcopal Church through private agreements between St. Ambrose Episcopal Church and individual tenants. The parking arrangement helped supplement available parking for residents whose apartment complexes have limited onsite parking. It is the City’s understanding that St. Ambrose Episcopal Church was charging tenants $40 per month for each vehicle authorized to use their parking lot.
Earlier this year, St. Ambrose Episcopal Church notified affected tenants that the parking arrangement would be ending to accommodate construction associated with the church's affordable housing development. As a result, residents who had relied upon those privately managed parking spaces were required to seek alternative overnight parking arrangements. Following the loss of those parking spaces, several residents addressed the City Council during public comment to express concerns regarding limited overnight parking availability and citations received under the City's Overnight Parking Ordinance. Residents requested that the City consider various options, including allowing overnight parking within City-owned parking lots or modifying the City's overnight parking regulations.
Prior to the public comments received during City Council meetings, City staff met with the property manager of Cambridge Apartments and Claremont Pacifica Apartments to better understand the parking challenges resulting from the loss of overnight parking previously available through private tenant agreements with St. Ambrose Episcopal Church. During those discussions, staff identified several potential options that property management could explore, including pursuing parking agreements with nearby commercial, industrial, or institutional property owners; reaching out to other faith-based organizations that may have parking capacity available during overnight hours; reviewing lease agreements and existing parking allocations; and encouraging eligible residents with disabled parking placards to utilize available exemptions under the City's overnight parking regulations. Staff also reminded residents that the Claremont Police Department offers up to three overnight parking exemptions per vehicle per month through its online permit system.
The property manager advised the City that they had reached out to several local churches and businesses, but none of them were interested in entering into parking agreements. Some of these organizations include:
• First Baptist Church of Claremont
• Our Lady of the Assumption
• Green Spot Packaging
In June, the property manager connected with the pastor of Solid Rock Church (325 N. Indian Hill Blvd.), who advised that they may be able to provide up to 10 parking spaces. Solid Rock Church expressed interest in working with property management on an agreement (not individual tenants), and the property management company would be required to produce liability insurance for their tenants’ use of space.
Currently, staff is not recommending allowing overnight parking at City-owned facilities. Existing Claremont Municipal Code provisions prohibit overnight parking at public parks and other City facilities. In addition, allowing overnight parking at these locations would raise operational, maintenance, liability, and enforcement considerations that would require further evaluation and City Council-approved budget allocations and policy amendments before implementation. Staff also cautions that permitting overnight parking at one City facility could establish expectations for similar requests elsewhere in the community.
Staff recognizes the challenges experienced by residents affected by the loss of privately managed overnight parking. While the City has limited authority to address parking availability on private property, staff will continue to provide information regarding existing overnight parking exemptions, facilitate communication with interested parties when appropriate, and monitor developments related to this matter. Should the City Council wish to further evaluate the Overnight Parking Ordinance or consider potential policy changes in the future, staff can return with additional information and analysis at the City Council's direction.
RELATIONSHIP TO CITY PLANNING DOCUMENTS
Staff has evaluated the agenda item in relationship to the City’s strategic and visioning documents and finds that it applies to the following City Planning Documents: Sustainable City Plan and General Plan.
CEQA REVIEW
This item is not subject to environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS
The agenda and staff report for this item have been posted on the City website and distributed to interested parties. If you desire a copy, please contact the City Clerk’s Office.
Submitted by: Prepared by:
Adam Pirrie Mike Ciszek
City Manager Chief of Police
Brad Johnson
Community Development Director
Jeremy Starkey
Finance Director
Katie Wand
Deputy City Manager