Temecula panel hears complaints about private paid parking lots; staff to contact owners and explore enforcement

City staff told the Old Town Local Advisory Committee that privately run paid parking lots in Old Town have been generating confusing notices and inconsistent fees, prompting residents and visitors to complain.

"They issue invoices labeled as tickets, which scares a lot of people," Mark Collins, the staff presenter, said during a briefing on long‑range project LR25‑0295. He told the committee the city’s specific plan prohibits stand‑alone private parking lots and that many such lots lack permits, business licenses, correct signage, ADA accommodations and lighting.

Committee members described several incidents in which visitors and elderly patrons were confused by small signs and payment systems. "We had an older couple come into the chamber who had parked in Old Town and who received a ticket," one member said. "They didn't know how much it was gonna cost and everything and they weren't familiar on how to scan a QR code." Another member said some visitors were charged as much as $100.

Committee discussion highlighted three possible staff approaches: maintain the status quo; regulate legal nonconforming lots with signage, operational and accessibility standards; or enforce the current prohibition on unpermitted, stand‑alone paid lots. Several members said they favored early enforcement rather than permitting unregulated uses.

Staff said they identified approximately 12 private lots of concern and intend to interview property owners, work with the Old Town Temecula Association to do outreach and explore a combination of options — requiring permits and consistent signage for legal nonconforming lots while initiating code enforcement for unpermitted operations.

The committee also discussed whether private firms can lawfully issue what they call tickets. "They are not a law enforcement agency," a committee speaker said, citing an attorney general opinion that private companies lack police powers to ticket but may tow vehicles. Staff noted some notices used out‑of‑state mailing addresses and warned about the appearance of impersonating city or enforcement personnel.

The committee did not adopt new regulations at the meeting. Instead members directed staff to continue outreach, gather more facts and return with recommendations based on interviews and additional review. The committee also asked staff to examine improved signage to make free city parking easier for visitors to find.

The committee adjourned after taking up additional agenda items; staff will report back to the Old Town Steering Subcommittee and the committee at a future meeting.