Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Street Parking In The Arts District Is Going To Cost You — Starting This Week
Sad but true, streeting parking will soon cost you in the Arts District in downtown.
(
Caitlin Plummer
/
LAist
)
Topline:
The Arts District in downtown Los Angeles — much of which had free, unrestricted parking — will have a new on-street paid parking system starting Friday, Dec. 15.
How will it work? Drivers will have the option to pay at one of the five new kiosks, or on their phones. Those who opt to pay on their phone can either use a QR code at their location or sign up for one of two apps, which Colin Sweeney, a spokesperson for LADOT, says has its benefits.
“You'll get a notification when your time is expiring. Let's say you're enjoying a dessert at a restaurant. You don't want to have to rush out and feed the meter. You can just pay with your phone to add time," Sweeney said.
Support for LAist comes from
The two apps are called Park Smarter and ParkMobile. (ParkMobile has a 10-cent transaction fee. Park Smarter doesn’t.)
Where is this happening? The new kiosk system will be implemented between 1st St and 4th St and Alameda St and Santa Fe Ave. The area encompasses some of the Arts District’s most beloved haunts, from Angel City Brewery to Manuela, a brunch favorite that shares a complex with the Hauser & Wirth art gallery.
A new parking kiosk on 3rd St. in the Arts District.
(
Caitlin Plummer
/
LAist
)
How much will it cost? The program is starting at $1/hour with a two-hour limit between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday — but with enough demand, drivers could be charged more during the busiest times of day.
“We have the technology and infrastructure in place to make that transition,” Sweeney said. “Much of, for example, central downtown L.A. is under the dynamic pricing model, so we could extend that type of model to this new area if the demand is there for it.”
What brought the change? The Arts District has changed a lot in the last decade, moving from an area full of mostly warehouses to breweries, Michelin-list restaurants, and hip boutiques. A group of businesses asked the L.A. City Council to change its parking system to reflect that shift. The City Council agreed, and reached out to the Los Angeles Department of Transportation to start the process in March of this year.
“Parking regulations are designed to support the economic and cultural life of a neighborhood,” Sweeney said. “What this change does is bring the regulations more in line with the present character of that area to encourage regular turnover and discourage cars from sitting on individual spots for extended periods.”
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Isolated showers can still hit the L.A. area until Friday as remnants from the tropical storm move out. -
First aspiring spectators must register online, then later in 2026 there will be a series of drawings. -
It's thanks to Tropical Storm Mario, so also be ready for heat and humidity, and possibly thunder and lightning. -
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5425437/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3897+0+0/resize/640x396!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
L.A. County investigators have launched a probe into allegations about Va Lecia Adams Kellum and people she hired at the L.A. Homeless Services Authority. -
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass suspended a state law allowing duplexes, calling more housing unsafe. But in Altadena, L.A. County leaders say these projects could be key for rebuilding. -
This measure on the Nov. 4, 2025, California ballot is part of a larger battle for control of the U.S. House of Representatives next year.
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/45c201e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3894+0+0/resize/786x486!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
Best of LAist