Paid Parking Program

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Parking enforcement for parking locations begins on Monday, July 6 2026.

About

The City of Hawthorne's Paid Parking Program, launched in 2026, is designed to improve parking availability, reduce congestion, and create a more convenient and predictable parking experience for residents, employees, businesses, and visitors.

By encouraging efficient use of available parking spaces, the program helps ensure that parking remains accessible throughout the community while supporting local economic activity.

Benefits of the Paid Parking Program

Improves parking availability near local businesses and destinations
Increases parking turnover, making it easier for visitors to find available spaces
Reduces traffic congestion caused by drivers searching for parking
Supports ongoing maintenance and improvements to parking facilities and infrastructure
Enhances access to commercial areas and community destinations
Promotes economic vitality by improving customer access to local businesses

The revenue generated through the program is reinvested into parking operations, maintenance, and improvements that benefit the Hawthorne community.

How Paid Parking Works

The Paid Parking Program includes both on-street and off-street parking spaces throughout the district. Parking rates and time limits vary by location to balance parking demand, encourage turnover, and improve availability. This approach helps ensure convenient access to local businesses, restaurants, services, and other destinations while maximizing the efficient use of available parking spaces.

Paid parking is enforced 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

How to Pay for Parking

Short-Term Parking

You can pay for parking by the following options:

Mobile Payment – Use your smartphone to start and extend parking sessions without returning to your vehicle using the ParkMobile (https://parkmobile.io/) app.
Pay Stations – Convenient pay stations are located throughout paid parking locations. Pay stations accept coins, credit cards or mobile payment such as Google Pay and Apple Pay.

Long-Term Parking

Long-term parking for employees or residents (coming soon) is only available online at https://cityofhawthorneca.cmrpay.com

Employee Parking Permits

Employee Parking Permits are available for individuals who work in the City at Employee Parking Permit.

Paid Permit Parking Online Portal QR

Employee Parking Permit Program Flyer

Paid Parking Locations

Parking Rates

Parking Area	Time Limit	Fee	Hours of Enforcement
Hawthorne Blvd – Curbside Parking	2-Hour Maximum	$1.00/hour	24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Hawthorne Blvd – Median Parking	No Overnight Parking from 2am-6am	0–1 hr: Free 1–5 hrs: $0.75/hr 5+ hrs (Daily Max): $3/day Monthly Permit: $55/month	24 hours a day, 7 days a week
129th/130th Street Parking Lot	No Overnight Parking (Except Existing Permitted Vehicles)	0–1 hr: Free 1–5 hrs: $0.75/hr 5+ hrs (Daily Max): $3/day Monthly Permit: $55/month	24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Jim Thorpe Lot(Southeast Corner of Prairie Ave & 139th St)	No Overnight Parking from 2am-6am	0–1 hr: Free 1–5 hrs: $0.75/hr 5+ hrs (Daily Max): $3/day Monthly Permit: $55/month	24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Alternative Transportation Options

Hawthorne is easily accessible by light rail, bus and bicycle. Visitors are encouraged to consider alternative transportation to reduce congestion and support a walkable area.

LA Metro

The nearest station is the Hawthorne/Lennox station serviced by the Metro C Line
The primary Metro bus route is the Metro Line 40

Bicycling

Bike racks are available throughout downtown Hawthorne near businesses and public facilities and Jim Thorpe Park.

FAQs

Getting Started

When will the paid parking pilot program begin?

The paid parking program will start on July 1, 2026. Paid parking will be in effect 7 days per week. To assist the community with the transition, the City will implement a 30-day grace period beginning on June 1, 2026. During this time, parking and enforcement staff will focus on education and outreach, and no citations will be issued for unpaid parking.

Where will paid parking be located?

Paid parking will be at the following locations:

Hawthorne Blvd from Imperial Hwy to 120th St and El Segundo Blvd to Rosecrans Ave (curbside and medians)
129th/130th Street Parking Lot
Jim Thorpe Lot (Southeast Corner of Prairie Ave & 139th St)

Will there be free parking available?

Yes, the City’s paid parking pilot program will include the first hour of parking free in designated City-managed parking areas. After the initial free period, applicable parking rates will apply. In addition, many private parking lots associated with businesses and commercial centers will continue to offer free customer parking, subject to the property owner’s rules and time restrictions. Drivers are encouraged to follow all posted parking signs and regulations when using both public and private parking facilities.

Is parking free on the weekends?

Parking rates and hours are in effect 24 hours a day, seven days a week

I have a disabled placard and license plate. Do I have to pay for parking?

In accordance with state law, those with a valid state-issued disabled placards or plates will be exempt from paid parking meter fees and time limitations. Please make sure your placard or plates are clearly displayed while parked.

Can I extend my parking session?

You may add more time to your parking up to the posted time limit for the area where you parked. This can be done at the parking kiosk or through your phone with the ParkMobile app.

How much does paid parking cost?

Click here to view rates.

Do I have to pay for paid parking on holidays?

Paid parking will not be in effect during the following holidays:

New Year’s Day (1/1)
MLK day (Third Monday of January)
Presidents Day (Third Monday of February)
Farmworkers Day (formerly Caesar Chavez Day, 3/31)
Memorial Day (Last Monday of May)
Independence Day (7/4)
Labor Day (First Monday of September)
Indigenous People’s Day (formerly Columbus Day, Second Monday of October)
Veterans Day (11/11)
Thanksgiving (Fourth Thursday in November)
Day After Thanksgiving (Immediate Friday after Thanksgiving)
Christmas Eve (12/24)
Christmas Day (12/25)
New Year’s Eve (12/31)

I am an employee of a business. Where can I park?

Paid monthly parking is available at the following locations:

Hawthorne Blvd – Median Parking
129th/130th Street Parking Lot
Jim Thorpe Lot (Southeast Corner of Prairie Ave & 139th St) Private parking lots associated with your business will still offer free parking.

How can I pay for parking?

Hourly and daily parking may be paid through:

Pay stations (coins and credit or debit card payments by all major networks are accepted)
ParkMobile app Monthly employee parking permits are only available through the Passport website. Contact your employer on how to purchase a monthly employee parking permit.

Do I need to display a receipt for parking?

No, you will not need to display a receipt or ticket on your dashboard to verify payment. Our paid parking system is enforced through license plate reader (LPR) Technology. When you pay, you will be asked to enter your license plate number, and your parking will be verified that way. Users should confirm their license plate information is entered correctly during payment.

Will paid parking be enforced?

Paid parking will be enforced on a daily basis. The City has contracted with LAZ Parking for management and enforcement of the paid parking program.

What if the parking meter/pay station is broken?

A meter is typically only considered broken if it cannot accept any form of payment (e.g., neither coins nor credit cards). If one method is working, you must use it. If all payment methods are unavailable, follow the instructions on nearby signage or contact the relevant city parking authority.

What happens if I do not pay for parking?

Vehicles parked in paid parking areas without valid payment may be subject to parking citations and penalties in accordance with City parking regulations.

How do I contest a parking citation?

Parking citations may be contested through the link: https://www.citationprocessingcenter.com/index.aspx

You may also call (800) 989-2058 or by contacting the Hawthorne Police Department Traffic Bureau at (310) 349-2701

Program Policies

Please observe all posted parking regulations and signage. To help ensure a safe and convenient parking experience for everyone, keep the following in mind:

Follow all posted time limits. Vehicles parked beyond the permitted time may be subject to citation.
Park in the direction of traffic and within designated parking stall markings.
Accessible parking spaces are reserved for vehicles displaying a valid disabled person placard or license plate and are subject to all applicable state and local regulations.
Review all posted signs for additional restrictions, hours of operation, and parking requirements specific to each location.