Your agent
Jessica Mercedes
Head of Support
Book a free consultation
Full Name
Phone
Preferred time
Email
Optional note
We’ll confirm your time via email within 24
hours. Calls are free and non-binding.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
YOU've ARRIVED

Park easy with

parkEC

Planning the future of El Cerrito’s public parking program
EL CERRITO, CALIFORNIA
PROGRAM: PARKEC
Welcome to parkEC
The City of El Cerrito is evaluating parking changes for the area around the El Cerrito Plaza BART station and we need your input!

Your feedback will help inform the Parking Management Action Plan, a roadmap for the future of the City’s parking program

Take the Survey
Renew Parking Permit
CITY OF El CERRITO
PAST & UPCOMING MILESTONES
Timeline
November 2025
El Cerrito Plaza Transit-Oriented Development Project construction begins
August - October 2026
Phase 1 Community Input: Parking Ideas
  • Aug to Oct 3: Online Survey Open
  • Sep 19 at 11-3PM: Tri-City Safety Day Pop-Up at 1000 El Cerrito Plaza in front of Lucky. Drop by anytime.
  • Neighborhood meetings
Winter 2027
Phase 2 Community Input: Draft Action Plan
  • City Council Study Session
  • Open House
Spring 2027
Final Action Plan
  • City Council considers approval of Final Action Plan
Have questions? Contact our team
How we decide

Starting in Summer 2026, the City will present two parking ideas for community input. Then, based on your feedback, the parking team will develop the Draft Action Plan, which will be presented for community input. The parking team will then take this feedback to develop the Final Action Plan for consideration by City Council.
‍

= Community Input

= City Council Action

Summer 2026 - We're here

Two Parking Ideas

Winter 2027

Draft Action Plan

Spring 2027

Final Action Plan

Background

Approved in 2024 as required under state law, the El Cerrito Plaza Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) project will replace the El Cerrito Plaza BART station parking lots with:

  • 743 homes and 2,100 square feet of commercial space
  • BART Rider Parking: 145 spaces, reduced from 742 spaces
  • TOD Resident Parking: 266 spaces, or about one space for every three units

Without changes to parking rules, it would likely be harder to find a space.

There are about 3,000 on-street parking spaces within a ten-minute walk of the BART station.

If properly managed, these spaces can meet everyone's needs

View TOD project
Focus Area

The City anticipates that new parking regulations within the blue focus area will provide adequate parking for residents, visitors, BART riders, customers, and employees. 

In the future, the City may need to change parking regulations in parts or all of the green area to maintain parking availability for all users.

Have questions? Contact our team

Parking Management Ideas

After evaluating anticipated parking demand from residents, BART riders, customers, and employees, the City has developed two parking management ideas.

Existing Conditions

This map shows the current parking rules within the Focus Area. With additional housing units anticipated for development on the BART station's surface parking lots, it may become hard to find a parking space in the surrounding neighborhood. The Parking Management Action Plan seeks to develop thoughtful new parking rules to ensure parking remains easy and accessible for all users.

Idea 1

Idea 1 allows non-residents and residents to park on opposite sides of each block, so they don’t need to compete for the same spaces. On one side, there would be paid parking to manage demand from BART riders. On the other side, a 2-hour time limit (Resident permit exempt) ensures greater availability for residents. Visitors can choose to park for up to 2 hours for free or pay to park for longer across the street.
Learn more about Idea 1

‍

Resident Permit (RPP) Holders:  

  • Paid permit parking on the RPP side of the street

Guests of RPP Holders:  

  • Less than 2 hours: Free parking  
  • More than 2 hours: Paid parking

Customers:  

  • Less than 2 hours: Free parking  
  • More than 2 hours: Paid parking

BART Riders:  

  • Paid parking on one side of street

TOD Residents:  

  • Paid parking on one side of street

Employees:  

  • Paid parking on one side of street

‍

Take the Survey

On the purple side of the block, anyone can park up to two hours for free. Resident permit holders can park for unlimited time.

On the gold side of the block, anyone can park for unlimited time, but must pay to do so.

  • Pro: Maintains availability for resident permit holders. Anyone else can easily pay to park for longer than two hours.
  • Con: Drivers must navigate different parking rules on opposite sides of the same street.

For both Idea 1 and Idea 2, parking time limits would only be in effect on weekdays.

Idea 2

Idea 2 allows non-residents to purchase a commuter permit that exempts them (like Resident permits) from the 2-hour time limit. To ensure no individual block is congested, commuter permit sales would be assigned to specific areas. A limited amount of paid parking would be provided near the station to accommodate occasional BART riders who do not wish to purchase a permit. Resident permit holders would need to pay for and self manage guest permits for visitors parking longer than 2 hours.
Learn more about Idea 2

‍

Resident Permit (RPP) Holders:

  • Paid permit parking on both sides of street

Guests of RPP Holders:  

  • Less than 2 hours: Free parking  
  • More than 2 hours Paid: Guest permit required

Customers:  

  • Less than 2 hours: Free parking  
  • More than 2 hours: Limited paid parking

BART Riders:  

  • Assigned paid permit parking or limited paid parking

TOD Residents:  

  • Park up to 2 hours or outside of enforcement hours

Employees:  

  • Assigned paid permit parking or limited paid parking

‍

Take the Survey

Anyone can park up to two hours for free. Permit holders can park for unlimited time.

Resident permits are maintained. Commuters would now be eligible to purchase a commuter permit, which the City would assign to specific areas to maintain availability.

Resident permit holders would need to pre-select, pay for, and assign guest permits for their visitors.

  • Pro: Maintains availability for resident permit holders. Resident permit holders can park on both sides of the street.
  • Con: There are fewer options and less flexibility for drivers who want to park for longer than two hours. Residents must self-manage guest permits.

For both Idea 1 and Idea 2, parking time limits would only be in effect on weekdays.

‍

Have questions? Contact our team


Ready to share your thoughts on parking near El Cerrito Plaza?

Take the Survey
by Oct 3
Take the Survey
View Past online community meeting
Meeting Recording
Meeting Slide Presentation
Attend Tri-City Safety Day on Sep 19 - drop by anytime between 11 and 3PM

1000 El Cerrito Plaza, in front of Lucky

See how we helped FRANCO
We approached Evermind™ looking for something flexible yet timeless solutions.
8x
Faster launch times.
Read case study
See how we helped FRANCO
We approached Evermind™ looking for something flexible yet timeless solutions.
8x
Faster launch times.
Read case study
ACTION PLAN

Want the full picture?

The Parking Management Action Plan Existing Conditions Report summarizes the data, observations, and community context that are shaping parkEC's recommendations.
Read the Existing Conditions Report
Click here to view PDF
Latest updates
September 17, 2026
Example
INsert
October 1, 2025
El Cerrito's Changing Seasons, Enduring Community
El Cerrito's subtle seasons shape community rhythms and connect residents to place.
October 1, 2025
Supporting Local Business in El Cerrito
El Cerrito's local shops and family-owned restaurants create the neighborhood character that makes it feel like home
LATEST UPDATES

Stay Connected

Sign up to receive the latest news and updates on parkEC:
‍
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
GENERAL
HomeAboutLatest
PARKING
Downtown Midtown Uptown
ENGAGE
FAQsFeedbackContact
Welcome to parkEC, the City of El Cerrito’s public parking program, designed to offer an easy, convenient parking experience that supports a thriving mixed-use community. It is an adaptable, self-sustaining program that fosters economic and housing growth for years to come.

Copyright ©2026 . All Rights Reserved to City of El Cerrito
Legal
·
City of El Cerrito