Santa Barbara, Calif. – In an effort to make parking more efficient for residents and visitors, the city’s waterfront parking program has added two popular mobile‑payment platforms, PayByPhone and ParkMobile. The new system lets drivers enter their license plate, select the desired parking duration, pay online, and use the plate as a virtual permit.
How the new system works
Since the program’s launch in 2025, drivers have been required to input their license plate number at a pay station, choose the amount of time they need based on the posted fee schedule, and complete the transaction before heading to their vehicle. The updated process eliminates the need for printed tickets or paper receipts; the license plate itself serves as the permit.
With the addition of the mobile apps, drivers can now complete the entire transaction from their smartphones. Both PayByPhone and ParkMobile are widely used across the United States, including on college campuses such as the University of California, Santa Barbara. The apps are already active at Leadbetter Beach, Chase Palm Park, the Garden Street lot, and the Cabrillo Pavilion at East Beach.
Extending parking without a rush
One of the most useful features of the phone‑based system is the ability to add time remotely. If a driver’s plans change and they need to stay longer than originally paid for, they can simply open the app, enter the additional minutes, and pay the extra fee without having to return to their car.
To enforce compliance, waterfront staff will patrol the lots in a vehicle equipped with a license‑plate‑reading camera. Any vehicle that has not been entered into the system or has exceeded its paid time will receive a paper citation.
Cash still accepted at key locations
While most lots now rely on the digital system, two locations – Stearns Wharf and the Harbor Main area – will continue to operate staffed kiosks. Each of these lots will retain a single machine that accepts cash for drivers who do not have a credit or debit card.
Early usage numbers
A recent review of the upgraded system showed that 3,500 drivers had used the mobile apps for parking transactions, and 400 of those users extended their parking time remotely. The city views these figures as an encouraging start toward broader adoption.
What this means for the community
By reducing the need for paper tickets and streamlining payment, the city hopes to cut down on traffic congestion around the pay stations and improve the overall visitor experience at the waterfront. The move also aligns with Santa Barbara’s broader goals of leveraging technology to enhance municipal services while preserving traditional payment options for those who prefer them.
Residents and tourists alike are encouraged to download either PayByPhone or ParkMobile ahead of their next visit to the waterfront. The city will continue to monitor usage trends and consider additional improvements based on driver feedback.
Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.
