Downtown Parking

As downtown Los Gatos continues to thrive as a regional destination, the Town is continuing to engage in active policy discussions related to parking supply and congestion. This ongoing process ensures that future parking management decisions support long-term vitality of adjacent civic and commercial districts while preserving the character and accessibility of the Town's historic downtown. Read more about the policies and studies and past council actions that have affected parking in and around Downtown Los Gatos.

Comprehensive Downtown Parking Study

• August 15, 2023 - Item 14: Receive the Report on Downtown Paid Parking Program Models and Consider the Following Actions
• December 17, 2019 - Item 19: Receive the Comprehensive Downtown Parking Report – “Parking Roadmap” and Provide Direction for Next Steps
  • Downtown Comprehensive Parking Study – Roadmap
  • Downtown Comprehensive Parking Study – Roadmap Appendix C – Data
• August 20, 2019 - Item 15: Provide Input to the Comprehensive Downtown Parking Study
• March 19, 2019 – Item 4: Authorize the Town Manager to Negotiate and Execute a Contract for the Comprehensive Downtown Parking Study to Dixon Resources Unlimited in an Amount not to exceed $158,892 
• December 4, 2018 - Item 4: Review and Approve the Scope of Services for a Request for Proposals for a Comprehensive Parking Study
• March 20, 2018 - Item 10: Review Downtown Parking Information and Direct Staff to bring Forward a Budget Proposal for Consultant Services to Provide a Comprehensive Analysis of Downtown Parking Staff Report

Previous Parking Reports

• March 20, 2018 Council Meeting – Item 10: Review Downtown Parking Information and Direct Staff to bring Forward a Budget Proposal for Consultant Services to Provide a Comprehensive Analysis of Downtown Parking
  • Attachment 1 - Ad Hoc Committee Staff Report dated January 30, 2018
  • Attachment 2 - Parking Lot Map
  • Attachment 3 - Garage Financial Analysis
  • Addendum
  • Attachment 4 - Public Comment
  • Desk Item
  • Attachment 5 - Public Comment
  • Attachment 6 - Ad Hoc Committee Staff Report dated January 30, 2018 with attachments
• February 20, 2018  - Item 6: Review Transportation and Parking Commission Work on Downtown Time Limited parking and Provide Direction to Staff
  • Attachment 1 - Parking Lot Map
  • Attachment 2 - Parking Count Charts
  • Addendum
  • Parking Counts Conducted by the Town
• February 20, 2018 - Item 6: Review Transportation and Parking Commission Work on Downtown Time Limited parking and Provide Direction to Staff
• October 18, 2016 - Item 7: Receive the Report on Traffic and Parking Around Schools
• May 3, 2004 - Item 19: Accept Status Report and Staff's Direction on Downtown Parking Management Plan, and/or Provide Additional Direction to Staff for Future Ongoing Implementation
• December 17, 2001 - Item 16: Downtown Parking Management Plan: A. Adopt Resolution Implementing The Town of Los Gatos Downtown Parking Management Plan Which Establishes Specified Time Limits, A Residential Permit Program, An Employee Permit System, And Sets Permit Fees and Fines for Parking Violations, and B. Approve Recommended Personnel And Budget Adjustments

Saturday Parking

• March 4, 2025 - Item 8: Adopt a Resolution Defining Timed Parking in Downtown Parking Lots and Streets and Authorize Town Staff to Continue Contracting for Ongoing Parking Management Support Services
• August 15, 2023 - Item 14: Receive the Report on Downtown Paid Parking Program Models and Consider the Following Actions...
• November 6, 2018 - Item 8: Eliminate Time Limited Parking on Saturdays in Downtown Municipal Parking Lots
  • Attachment 1 - Downtown Parking Zones and Parking Stall Counts

High School Area Parking

• March 20, 2018 - Item 10: Review Downtown Parking Information and Direct Staff to bring Forward a Budget Proposal for Consultant Services to Provide a Comprehensive Analysis of Downtown Parking
  • Attachment 1 - Ad Hoc Committee Meeting Staff Report Dated January 30, 2018
  • Attachment 2 - Parking Lot Map
  • Attachment 3 - Garage Financial Analysis
  • Addendum
  • Attachment 4 - Public Comment
  • Desk Item
  • Attachment 5 - Public Comment
  • Attachment 6 - Ad Hoc Committee Meeting Staff Report Dated January 30, 2018 (with attachment) 
• March 6, 2018 - Item 8: Approve a Comprehensive Permit Parking Program for the Area Northeasterly of Los Gatos High School...
  • Attachment 1 - Report and Addendum considered by the Town Council on March 7, 2017
  • Attachment 2 - Minutes from the April 4, 2017 Town Council Meeting
  • Attachment 3 - Map of one-half mile walking distance to the High School
  • Attachment 4 - Map of the existing parking limits
  • Attachment 5 - Map of the proposed parking limits
  • Addendum
  • Attachment 6 - Public comment
  • Desk Item
  • Attachment 7 - Updated map of existing parking regulations
  • Attachment 8 - Updated map of staff recommended street segments for new parking regulations
  • Attachment 9 - Public comment
• February 20, 2018 - Item 10: Adopt the 2018/2020 Strategic Priorities and Provide Direction on the Preparation of the Fiscal Year 2018/19 Operating and Capital Budgets  (Includes a recommendation for the development of a Comprehensive Residential Parking Plan as a Strategic Priority)
• April 4, 2017 - Item 12: Reconsider the Council's March 7, 2017 Decision to: A. Discontinue the Neighborhood Parking Plan Process, B. Maintain All Existing Parking Permit Areas, C. Expand and Rename the Eastside Parking Permit Area to the High School Zone, and D. Absorb the Current Preferential Parking Pilots Along Alpine and Whitney Avenues Into the High School Zone With 90-Minute Parking Restrictions During the School Year
  • Presentation
  • Attachment 1 - March 7, 2017 Staff Report
  • Attachment 2 - Outreach letter dated March 21, 2017
  • Attachment 3 - Outreach letter dated March 29, 2017
  • Attachment 4 - Public comment
  • Addendum
  • Attachment 5 - Public comment
  • Desk Item
  • Attachment 6 - Public comment
• March 7, 2017 - Item 8: Approve the council Policy Committee's Recommendations to: A. Discontinue the Neighborhood Parking Plan Process, B. Maintain All Existing Parking Permit Areas, C. Expand And Rename the Eastside Parking Permit Area to the High School Zone, and D. Absorb the Current Preferential Parking Pilots Along Alpine and Whitney Avenues into the High School Zone
• October 18, 2016:
  • Item 7: Report on Traffic and Parking Around Schools
    • Los Gatos Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Report
  • Item 8: Implement A Six Month Pilot Preferential Parking Program in the Whitney Avenue Neighborhood And Provide Direction to Staff on Additional Permit Parking Requests
• March 1, 2016 - Item 12: Implement A Six Month Pilot Preferential Parking Program in the Alpine Neighborhood Restricting Parking to 90 Minutes Without A Permit, 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday Through Friday

Downtown One Way Street Pilot:

The Town Council selected Option B, as presented by staff in the following staff report: 

• January 15, 2019 - Item 5: Review options for a one-way street pilot on North Santa Cruz Avenue and provide direction to staff on a preferred option for implementation
  • Attachment 1 - Option A
  • Attachment 2 - Option B
  • Attachment 3 - Option C
  • Attachment 4 - One-Way Street Closure Project in Numbers
  • Addendum
  • Attachment 5 - Public Comment
  • Desk Item
  • Attachment 6 - Public Comment

Downtown Parking Requirements

• Los Gatos Municipal Code Section 29.10.150

Downtown Parking Garage

The Town Council established an ad-hoc committee to review options for a downtown parking garage. More information can be found on the Downtown Parking Garage page.

Parking Assessment District

The Town Council established a downtown Parking Assessment District (PAD) as a result of the Downtown Specific Plan, adopted in 1982. The PAD has since sunsetted and a brief overview is provided below:

• April 1, 2013 - Item 10: Review of Downtown Parking Assessment District
• August 7, 2000 - The Town Council Adopts Resolution 2000-98, repealing the DTSP.
• January 18, 2000 - Item 19: Downtown Parking Improvement Plan
• November 22, 1999 - The Town Council received a presentation from Gordon H. Chong & Partners providing conceptual designs for parking structures in Lot 6 and Lot 2. 
• May 18, 1998 - Item 23: Consider Parking Commission Recommendations for Short-Term Parking Alternatives in the Downtown
• January 21, 1997 - Item 16: Consideration of the Downtown Parking Improvement Plan
• July 15, 1996 - Item 21: Public Hearing Regarding the Downtown Parking Improvement Plan
• April 29, 1996 - Item 26: Consider Report on Downtown Parking Improvement Plan and Provide Direction to Staff as Appropriate
• September 11, 1995 - Joint Town Council/Parking Authority Study Session with the Parking Commission walking downtown lots.
• September 11, 1995 - The Town Council and the Parking Commission received a report on Parking Challenges and Opportunities in the Downtown Central District.
• June 6, 1994 - Item 23: Accept Report on Downtown Parking Control and Revenue Potential
• April 18, 1994 - Town Council adopts Resolution 1990-60, amending the DTSP to adjust the priority of future parking facilities.
• December 5, 1988 - Town issues 25-year Limited Obligation bonds (to sunset in December 2013).
• May 18, 1987 - Town Council adopted Resolution 1987-56 The Town Code was updated to provide relief for non-conforming properties within the PAD related to on-site parking.
• April 7, 1986 - Town Council adopts Ordinance 1682, extending the duration of Ordinance 1679 until March 3, 1988.
• March 3, 1986 - Town Council adopts Ordinance 1679, extending the duration of non-conforming status for properties that are non-conforming as to parking.
• February 23, 1986 - The DTSP is amended to incorporate a parking program, including priorities for constructing parking facilities.
• October 29, 1982 - Downtown Parking Survey - estimated floor area for each property within the proposed Parking Assessment District (PAD).
• May 18, 1982 - Town Council Adopts the Downtown Specific Plan (DTSP) which calls for the development of a downtown parking district to relieve businesses from non-conforming status as to parking.