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RSVP Parking
The Resident Shopper Vehicle Permit (RSVP) allows residents free parking up to the maximum allowable time limit at any of the City's parking meters, seven days a week, from 9 am to 6 pm (typically two (2) hours)
The Resident Shopper Vehicle Permit (RSVP) is designed to make it convenient for Mill Valley and other Marin residents to shop, eat and visit downtown Mill Valley. The permit allows residents (zip codes 94941, 94920, 94925, and 94965) to park in any of the City's metered spaces without paying the meter.
Permits are valid from January 1st through December 31st of the current year. Beginning July 1st permits will be prorated to half price for the remainder of the permit period.
All permits (RSVP and Residential) will be null and void if they are modified or altered in any way. If permits are modified or altered, you will be required to purchase a new permit at full price and may receive a parking citation.
Obtaining a Permit
Purchase begins mid-December each year.
We encourage everyone to purchase the RSVP online (two or less) or complete the Resident Shopper Vehicle Permit (PDF) (more than two), print it, and mail with a check or money order payable to the City of Mill Valley to:
Mill Valley Police Department
1 Hamilton Drive
Mill Valley, CA 94941
If your mailing address is different than your residence address (P.O. Box, PMB, or other), you must mail your application along with proof of residency.
Proof of residency AND current California vehicle registration are required to purchase a new or replacement permit. Acceptable forms of residency include a valid California driver's license, current utility bill (PG&E, cable, water, or garbage), or lease/mortgage statement. All documents, including registration, must show your name and current eligible address.
Permits may be purchased at the Mill Valley Police Department: Monday through Thursday 8 am to 5 pm, Friday 8 am to 4 pm. We can only accept credit/debit payments or checks. Cash will not be accepted.
If you have any questions please call 415-389-4100 during business hours.
Fees - 2024
- For residents in 94941 zip code
- $75 each for the 1st or 2nd vehicle
- $105 each for the 3rd or 4th vehicle.
- For residents in 94965, 94920, and 94925 zip codes
- $105 (up to four) for each vehicle.
- Replacement
- $10 per vehicle
To purchase a replacement permit (if you sell your vehicle during the permit period), you must submit your old permit, completed the application above, and provide current valid California vehicle registration, then mail or bring all the documents to the police department. Replacement permits are non-transferable from vehicle to vehicle. You must return the old permit to the police department in order to receive the replacement permit.
Permits must be placed on the outside of your vehicle, drivers side, either on the back bumper or the lower rear window.
Appealing a Citation
If you believe you have received a parking citation in error, you may appeal it by clicking on the link below:
Residential Parking Permits
There are several areas in Mill Valley that have been designated by the City Council as Residential Parking zones. Residents with an eligible address within these zones may purchase a Residential Parking Permit. This allows residents to park for up to 72 hours without restrictions as long as the permit is affixed to their vehicle. All other vehicles are limited to the posted time limit. (Mill Valley Municipal Codes 10.08.125 MVMC, 10.08.125.1 MVMC, 10.08.126 MVMC)
Permits are valid from February 1st of the current year through January 31st of the following year. Starting August 1st the permits will be prorated to half price for the remainder of the permit period.
Note: All vehicles are subject to CVC 22651(k) which states: Vehicles must not be parked on a public roadway for more than 72 hours without being moved 1/10 of a mile.
Eligible Zones
Residential Parking Permits may only be obtained by residents who live in the following specified residential parking areas:
- Bayview Avenue: All street addresses
- Bernard Street: Street addresses 9 through 28
- East Blithedale Avenue: 70, 74, 180, 204
- El Paseo Lane: All street addresses
- Forrest Street: Street addresses 8 through 34
- Grove Street: Street Addresses 5 through 18
- Hill Street: Street addresses 2 through 58
- Laurelwood Avenue: Street addresses 18 through 41
- Lovell Avenue: Street addresses 4 through 86
- Madrona Street: Street addresses 35 through 46
- Miller Avenue: Between street addresses 42 through 52, 148 (in the Vogue Turnout; only 3 spaces), and new section between 107 through 306
- Millwood Street: Street addresses 5 through 33
- Parkwood Avenue: Street addresses 9 through 32
- Presidio Avenue: Street addresses 15 through 67
- Sunnyside Avenue: Street addresses 15 (units A,B, C, D), 24, 55 through 144
- Throckmorton Avenue: Street addresses 191 through 257
- West Blithedale Avenue: Street addresses 1 through 45
Obtaining a Permit
Proof of residency AND current vehicle registration are required to purchase a new or replacement permit. Acceptable forms of residency include a valid California driver's license, current utility bill (PG&E, cable, water, or garbage), or lease/mortgage statement. All documents, including registration, must show your name and current eligible address.
To obtain a permit, please complete the Residential Parking Permit Application (PDF), submit your current California vehicle registration AND proof of residency (in-person or by mail) to the Police Department:
Mill Valley Police Department
Attn: Records
1 Hamilton Drive
Mill Valley, CA 94941
Acceptable payments by mail are check or money order only, made payable to the: City of Mill Valley.
To purchase a replacement permit (if you sell your vehicle during the permit period), remove your old permit, complete the application above, submit your current valid California vehicle registration (in-person or by mail) and submit everything to the police department. Permits are non-transferable from vehicle to vehicle. You must return the old permit to the police department in order to receive the replacement permit.
If submitting applications by mail, the permits will be mailed to your address after being processed.
Permits may be purchased in-person at the Mill Valley Police Department: Monday through Thursday 8 am to 5 pm, Friday 8 am to 4 pm. We can only accept checks or money orders. Cash will not be accepted.
For questions, please call 415-389-4100.
Fees
- $30 per vehicle
Replacement
- $5 per vehicle
Note: Permits will not be effective until affixed to the left rear bumper of your vehicle.
Appeal
To appeal the decision of being denied a Residential Parking Permit, please complete the Residential Appeal Form and submit it to the Mill Valley Police Department.
Parking Citations
Parking citations are paid through the Marin Parking Authority by mail, telephone, or online.
By Mail
- Marin Parking Authority
Citation Processing Center
P.O. Box 10479
Newport Beach, CA 92658
Please do not mail cash. All checks should be made out to the Marin Parking Authority.
Online
By Telephone
- Phone: 800-989-2058
Appealing a Citation
If you would like to appeal your citation you may do so within 21 days of issuance by requesting an Administrative Review. To request an Administrative Review complete a written request online, or by mail to the Marin Parking Authority. You must provide the reason you feel the citation was issued in error and include copies of all applicable documentation relating to your appeal. Documents submitted will not be returned. Provide your complete mailing address to receive the result of your administrative review.
Correcting a Citation
In certain cases, citations are correctable with proof that you have corrected the violation. You must obtain an officer's signature attesting to the fact that you have corrected the violation. You may come to the Mill Valley Police Department 24/7 to obtain an officer's signature. Once a police officer signs your citation, please mail in the signed copy with a check or money order for the applicable fees payable to the Marin Parking Authority to the address listed above. The validation and fees must be received within 21 calendar days of issuance. Do not mail in the payment without the validation of the citation.
Correctable violations include: Missing license plate and expired registration (Section 5200 or 4000(a) of the California Vehicle Code). Evidence of the violation correction and vehicle inspection is required before the fine can be reduced.
Indigence
A person is "indigent" if they meet any of the following conditions:
- The person meets the income criteria set forth in subdivision (b) of Section 68632 of the Government Code.
- The person receives public benefits from any of the programs listed in subdivision (a) of Section 68632 of the Government Code.
Government Code Section 68632
Section (a):
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Food Stamps)
- County Relief, General Relief (GR) or General Assistance (GA)
- Cash Assistance Program for Aged, Blind, and Disabled Legal Immigrants
- In-Home Supportive Service (IHSS)
- Medi-Cal
Section (b):
- An applicant whose monthly income is 125 % or less of the current poverty guidelines updated periodically in the Federal Register by the United States Department of Health and Human Service.
Proof of Indigence
A person may demonstrate that he/she is indigent by providing any of the following information, as applicable:
- Proof of income that shows the individual meets the income criteria set forth in subdivision (b) of Section 68632 of the Government Code.
- Employer Pay Stub
- Bank Statement Showing Income
- SSI Statement
- Proof of receipt of benefits under the programs described in subdivision (a) of Section 68632 of the Government Code.
- Verification of Benefits Form
- Notice of Action Letter (approved)
- Award Letter
- If you qualify for indigent status, you may be able to enroll in a payment plan at a reduced rate of $5. If you do not qualify for indigent status, you may still enroll in a payment plan after paying the required fee of $25. Please contact Marin Parking Authority, Citation Processing Center P: (800) 989-2058 to request a Payment Plan.
Failure to Pay
Failure to pay the penalty or appeal a citation within 21 calendar days of issuance may cause the penalty to increase and may cause the Department of Motor Vehicles to refuse registration of the vehicle until the penalty is paid.
Employee Parking Permits allow business owners and their employees to a park in one of the more than 110 designated employee parking spaces in downtown and on Miller Avenue.
This parking program is coordinated by the Mill Valley Chamber of Commerce. Click here to learn more and to purchase a permit.
The Mill Valley Municipal Code (Section 10.04.189) regulates the parking of recreational vehicles on public streets in Mill Valley. A Mill Valley City resident may apply for a temporary parking permit on behalf of themselves or their guests.
To request a permit application, please email pd-info@cityofmillvalley.org.
PARKING METERS
The City of Mill Valleys parking meters are enforceable seven days a week, 9 am to 6 pm.
RATES - Per Hour
Street Meters - $2.50
Municipal Parking Lot - $1.50
Mill Creek Parking Lot - $1.50
City Hall Parking Lot - $1.50
HOLIDAYS - Free Parking
New Year's Day
Martin Luther King Holiday
Presidents Day
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Veteran's Day
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Day
If a meter needs service, please contact the Mill Valley Police Department at pd-info@cityofmillvalley.org or 415-389-4100.
Note* It's prohibited to vandalize any City property, including parking meters. Please do not place any bags, stickers, flyers or any other materials on the meters.