Government

California city launches free parking pilot amid kiosk concerns

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June 22, 2026

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The City of Chico, California, and the Downtown Chico Property Based Improvement District are launching a summer parking promotion that will provide up to two hours of free parking in all city-managed downtown parking lots from July 1 through Sept. 30, according to a press release. The "Park and Go" initiative is designed to encourage residents and visitors to spend more time shopping, dining and enjoying entertainment venues in the downtown area while making parking more convenient during the busy summer season.

Under the program, motorists can receive two hours of free parking in city-owned lots, but they must still register their parking session through a parking kiosk or mobile app. City officials said the registration requirement allows Chico to monitor parking usage and enforce time limits without adding enforcement staff. The promotion does not apply to on-street parking spaces.

The initiative also addresses concerns raised by some downtown business owners in an Allen Media Broadcasting report, expressing frustration with the city's parking kiosks and payment system and saying the technology can be confusing for customers and may discourage visits to downtown businesses. City officials said the free parking pilot is intended to improve the customer experience while continuing to use kiosks and the parking app to manage parking efficiently. City Manager Mark Sorensen said the program supports local businesses, encourages more downtown activity and allows the city to remain a responsible steward of public resources.

The plan comes as businesses in other communities have raised concerns about the impact of paid parking systems on downtown activity. In Pennsylvania, Pour Man's Brewing Co. in downtown Ephrata recently reported a 20% decline in sales compared with 2025 and cited confusing parking signage and underused parking areas as factors affecting customer visits, according to a Local21News report. The brewery's comments followed criticism from local officials who argued that parking kiosks had contributed to a decline in downtown foot traffic, highlighting the ongoing debate over balancing parking management with support for local businesses.