As Oakland businesses continue work to safely reopen under the terms of Alameda County’s shelter-in-place order to slow the spread of COVID-19, the City of Oakland announced today that it will continue supporting economic recovery and enable easier access to businesses by reactivating all parking meters citywide, effective July 6.
Metered parking is used to encourage turn-over of parking spots to better ensure availability for shoppers, both on-street and in off-street garages and lots. The City will maintain standard pricing at all street meters and in City-owned garages and lots. Without meters in effect, the vehicles of commuters or residents can occupy prime commercial parking spaces all day, reducing access for visitors and shoppers and leading to more circling blocks in the search for parking. As shelter-in-place orders have been adjusted, more activity has increased parking occupancies.
All other temporary suspension of parking regulations announced in mid-March remain in effect. While the Alameda County shelter-in-place order is in effect, the City will not be enforcing:
- Residential permit parking
- Street sweeping parking (NOTE: Street sweeping operations are continuing, and the City asks for vehicle owners’ voluntary compliance to allow street sweeper vehicles to access the curb.)
The City continues to enforce all other parking regulations in service of public safety and public health, including but not limited to:
- Parking meters (effective July 6)
- Red curbs, yellow curbs, white curbs, and green curbs
- Blue curbs and spaces
- Fire hydrants
- Sidewalk and crosswalk blocking
- Double-parking and bike lane violations
- Wheelchair ramp obstruction
- Essential construction work and other “No Parking” signage
- Unauthorized use of disabled person parking placards
To request parking enforcement assistance or for more information, contact OAK311 by dialing 311 or 510-615-5566, e-mailing OAK311@oaklandca.gov, reporting online at https://bit.ly/33lKLqe, or using the free OAK311 mobile app for Apple and Android devices.
Resumed parking meter enforcement is the City’s latest business support effort. The City also recently announced the Flex Streets Initiative to spur equitable economic revitalization by making it easier for retailers, restaurants and other businesses to use larger portions of the sidewalk, parking lanes and streets, and to allow businesses to enhance physical distancing by using the public right of way. As sidewalk and roadway encroachment processes are being reviewed with an eye towards streamlining them, a brief online survey has been launched to gauge small business interest, and gather insight and needs. The five-minute survey is online in English, Chinese, Spanish and Vietnamese at this link. More information about Flex Streets is available here.
Other efforts have included launch of the Economic Recovery Advisory Council, pro-active phone calls to targeted businesses, standing up the Oakland Small Business Emergency Grant program which has awarded $5,000 grants to 180 businesses and weekly business resource updates to 8,700 businesses and service providers.
For the latest resources and help for business re-opening, please visit the Economic & Workforce Development Department’s website at: https://www.oaklandca.gov/resources/re-opening-resources.