The City’s Clean Air Permit parking program will end after June 30, 2022. City Council recently approved a staff recommendation to sunset the program, along with other parking programs that provide free or reduced fee parking in public garages.
Ending these subsidized parking programs is in line with driving-reduction goals in the Envision San José 2040 General Plan as well as Climate Smart San José and Move San José.
Since 2001, the Clean Air Permit parking program provided free parking at public parking facilities and on-street parking meters. The goal was to encourage people to buy clean air vehicles in San José. Staff recommended sunsetting the program based upon the following factors:
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The electric vehicle market has grown. Approximately 75,000 zero emission vehicles were registered in Santa Clara County in 2020.
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The City has set goals to reduce single occupancy vehicle trips, regardless of vehicle emissions status.
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The City's equity efforts do not support a subsidy program tied to buying a premium product ($56,000 average price for a new zero emission vehicle).
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The City’s downtown garages currently offer a period of free parking to all customers (90 minutes) regardless of vehicle type.
Other Parking Program Changes
The City Council approved other changes to the parking program at its June 14, 2022 meeting, including:
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Establishment of a commercial real estate parking rate program
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The elimination of various discounted parking incentive programs
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The creation of a global permit that allows permit holders access to park in several qualified downtown parking facilities
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Standardization of monthly permit parking fees across city-owned downtown garages
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Adjustment to the special event rate range at city owned downtown garages and an increase of the daily maximum rate for the Convention Center garage
