> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.smdp.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Parking break for vets Zero-emission vehicles would also receive set aside from city - URL: https://www.smdp.com/parking-break-for-vets-zero-emission-vehicles-would-also-receive-set-aside-from-city/ - Published: 2007-03-16T15:00:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-24T00:14:55.000Z - Author: Kevin Herrera - Tags: Government & Politics, Santa Monica, #archive-import *Green autos also get parking help* CITYWIDE Forget that roll of quarters and those pesky parking tickets. If you’re a veteran of distinction or the owner of an environmentally-friendly auto, you’ll soon be able to park for free at meters all across town. City Council members have enthusiastically approved an ordinance granting the parking fee exemption to honor and recognize the contribution of veterans, while at the same time enticing drivers to purchase low-or zero-emission vehicles (ZEVS) such as hybrids or electric scooters. The exemption will apply to those autos displaying decals issued by the state for hybrids and electrics, and those with the following honorific license plates: Medal of Honor, Legion of Valor, Purple Heart, prisoner of war, and Pearl Harbor survivor. City staff estimates a loss of approximately $2,000 in revenue a year once the ordinance goes into effect. “ZEVS not only help us control emissions, but they are also the most energy efficient vehicles on the road,” said Russell Sydney of the Sustainable Transport Club in Santa Monica, who claims to get 400 miles per gallon on his electric scooter. “I encourage you to support this,” Sydney told the council shortly before the vote. Armand Assayag, a representative with the Los Angeles County Department of Military and Veterans Affairs also urged the council to support the ordinance. “This will come at very little cost to the city … while giving these special veterans the respect and recognition they deserve,” Assayag said. “I think these veterans have earned the right to park without being charged … All veterans would support that.” Still, not all are singing the council’s praises. While passing such an exemption is favored by veterans and environmentalists, there are those who would like to see it expanded, especially when it comes to those who have served in the armed forces. “Anything we can get for veterans is great, but why not have this apply to all veterans? Why do we have to pick and choose,” asked Tyrone Ballesteros, a veteran who served from 1986 to 1990\. “It seems that they are picking the smallest group of them and are just doing this so they can say they have done something to help veterans. With all veterans having to pay more for health care and other services, it just seems that all should be covered.” As part of the ordinance, drivers of these energy-efficient vehicles must comply with parking restrictions such as the maximum time limit for metered parking. The military license plate portion of the exemption applies to autos, trucks, motorcycles and other motor-driven forms of transportation not in excess of 6,000 pounds gross weight. Councilman Bobby Shriver had some concerns about enforcement and how city staff would be able to determine how long someone with an exemption has been parked in a particular space with time limits. Lucy Dyke, transportation manager for City Hall, said staff will rely on the tried and true chalk-mark-on-the-tire method. “I’m hip to that,” Shriver said. “I’m just not quite sure that when people sit at these meters \[they\] will know about the chalk.” Mayor Richard Bloom jokingly said, “I’m quite certain no one is going to give into that temptation” to stay past the time allowed. While City Hall passed an exemption for hybrids and other zero-and low-emission vehicles displaying a state-issued decal to allow them to ride in carpool lanes, there was no such decal for ZEVS until 2003, a year after the council approved the clean-air decal. The council wanted to make the amendment because of the increasing number of neighborhood electric vehicles, such as higher-powered golf carts and scooters. When it comes to veterans, City Hall is following a recent trend, with policies already in effect in nearby Culver City and Fresno. Assemblymember Karen Bass (D-Culver City) has also introduced a bill that would make the veterans’ exemption statewide. That bill, AB 138, would authorize veterans displaying selected special license plates on their vehicles to park, without charge, in a state or local authority parking facility, a parking space in a time restricted zone of one hour or more, or a metered parking space, as specified. Bass’ bill is currently in the Committee on Transportation with a hearing set for March 26. According to the Department of Motor Vehicles, there are a total of 1,213 veterans who would qualify for free parking under the city’s ordinance. They include 7 Legion of Valor recipients, 90 Pearl Harbor survivors, 973 Purple Heart recipients, and 143 prisoners of war. There are less than 1,000 ZEVS registered throughout the state, according to the California Air Resources board. All told, parking fees generated by veterans and vehicles covered by the ordinance equal less than 1 percent of total revenues, according to a city staff report. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/2026/10/031607-01_01.jpg) SEE VETS PAGE 8 (Photo: Photo courtesy) *Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on March 16, 2007.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/031607.pdf?ref=smdp.com)