Downtown Lafayette Parking Management Study (2026)
Downtown Parking Management Study (Completed)
The City of Lafayette has completed the Downtown Parking Management Study, which provides a comprehensive set of strategies to improve how parking functions in the downtown area.
The study updates and supplements the City's 2016 Parking Management Strategy and reflects current conditions, community input and evolving transportation policies.
The final study and supporting materials can be accessed here:
Downtown Parking Management Study (Final Report)
Downtown Parking Management Study (Appendix Document)
Presentation from 04/27/2026 City Council Meeting
Project Overview
The Downtown Parking Management Study focuses on improving how the City manages its existing parking system, rather than expanding parking supply.
Key findings of the study indicate that while there is adequate overall parking supply in downtown Lafayette, challenges are primarily related to:
- Distribution of parking demand
- Fragmented management of parking resources
- Difficulty for users in finding and understanding available parking
As a result, the study emphasizes strategies that improve clarity, coordination, and utilization of existing parking.
Study Area
The study area is generally defined as the Mt. Diablo Boulevard corridor between Risa Road and Pleasant Hill Road, including surrounding streets and the mixed-use neighborhood south of downtown.
Key Outcomes
The study identifies a set of practical, phased strategies to improve the downtown parking system. Initial efforts will focus on:
- Developing a comprehensive inventory of public and private parking
- Improving access to long-term employee parking options
- Simplifying and aligning parking rules and enforcement practices
- Enhancing signage, wayfinding, and public-facing information
Implementation Approach
The City is moving forward with a phased implementation strategy, beginning with a set of foundational actions (Phase 1) over the next several years.
Phase 1 focuses on:
- Establishing better data and system understanding
- Addressing employee parking needs
- Improving consistency and clarity of parking regulations
- Enhancing communication and wayfinding
These efforts will help create a more coordinated, predictable, and user-friendly parking system.
Relationship to Broader Transportation Goals
The study supports the City’s broader goals of improving downtown access through a multimodal approach. Parking management strategies are designed to work in coordination with walking, biking, and transit improvements to support a “park once” downtown experience.
Project Funding
The study was funded by a $170,000 grant from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) through its Parking Management Planning Grant Program.
Project Background
The study was informed by:
- Comprehensive data collection, including parking supply and occupancy surveys
- Analysis of existing and future parking demand
- Input from the business community, residents, employees, and visitors
Public engagement included:
- Business community workshops
- A community workshop
- An online survey
Project Timeline
- Data Collection: October 2024
- Stakeholder Workshops:
- Business Community Workshops: March 2025
- Resident/Visitor Workshops: May 2025
- Online Survey: May 2025
- Assessment of Existing and Future Parking Demand: Spring 2025
- Public Hearings (Transportation & Circulation / Planning Commissions, City Council): Winter/Spring 2026
- Final Parking Study Report: April 2026
Past Parking Analyses
Parking: A Management Strategy for Lafayette. This document (October 2018) summarizes the recommendations of the Parking Ordinance Committee.
Parking Supply and Occupancy Maps (2017). This document provides the results of a parking supply and occupancy survey that was conducted in 2017.
Key Findings of 2016/17 Parking Inventory and Occupancy survey that was completed to survey parking inventory and make recommendations to optimize parking supply and demand.
Questions?
For more information, contact Patrick Golier, Transportation & Circulation Program Manager