About

A new street sweeping pilot program will launch in early 2025 to enhance street cleanliness and ensure compliance with state storm water regulations. Street sweeping is a vital service that removes debris and litter to enhance aesthetics, safety, and public and environmental health. The pilot will implement new "No Parking Zones" with new signage in several areas of our city. For inquiries, contact citypw@santacruzca.gov or 831-420-5160.

Background

For several years, the City has utilized a third party organization to monitor and test our streets for debris and trash in accordance with the Regional Water Quality Control Board Stormwater permit. We receive a “report card” for the effectiveness of our street sweeping program. While we're proud to report that most of our city shows low trash impacts, several areas were identified with “moderate trash levels.” These areas are primarily the Ocean Street corridor, Soquel Avenue and Water Street, the Harvey West area, and the far Westside, primarily Delaware and Mission Street Extension area.

Purpose 

To optimize street cleaning efficiency, a pilot program will temporarily limit parking on alternate days from 5 AM to 7 AM. For example, on Tuesdays, parking will be restricted on the south side, and on Thursdays, on the north side. Some parking will still be available on the opposite side being swept. This arrangement facilitates unrestricted access for street sweepers to effectively clean curbside areas, streamlining the operation and ensuring compliance with stormwater regulations. To enforce access, "No Parking Tow Away" signs will be posted on existing sign posts throughout the pilot area.

The streets selected for the pilot not only have higher levels of litter but are also predominantly located in commercial areas, mitigating the impact of limited parking during the designated hours each week. The pilot program aims to evaluate how this approach could be implemented in residential areas with moderate litter levels and high parking demand. 

Where and When

The pilot program has designated six zones based on the alternate side of the streets: Zones 1 and 2 cover the Harvey West area; Zones 3 and 4 encompass the Ocean, Soquel, and Water street corridors; and Zones 5 and 6 are situated on the far Westside in the Delaware area. While these areas are currently swept, usually on a weekly basis, parked cars often impede access to the curb and bike lane, where trash tends to accumulate. The map and list below details the specific streets affected and the number of parking spaces impacted during the designated two-hour period.

Program Enforcement

No parking in effect from 5-7 a.m. in the following zones. Vehicles found in violation after March 4, 2025 will be subject to citations and removal.

Street Sweeping Zones 

View details about each street sweeping pilot program zone, including a detailed area map, below.