Friedman

Vehicle Code section 22507 allows local agencies to create preferential parking on designated streets “. . .to residents and merchants . . . .” May a city provide preferred parking to its residents, but not to its merchants? Yes, it may.

Jeffrey Friedman, a merchant, appeals from the judgment of the trial court in favor of respondent, the City of Beverly Hills (City). The judgment denied Friedman a writ of mandate to compel the City to vacate its adoption of the resolution granting preferential parking to residents. Because section 22507 grants local entities broad power to prohibit or restrict parking, and substantial evidence supports the resolution, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Facts

Friedman owns a commercial building at the comer of Burton Way and North Wetherly Drive in Beverly Hills. The building has five retail stores and ten offices. It is located within a small island of property zoned and used for commercial purposes, surrounded by property zoned and used for residential purposes.

Parking is scarce. Friedman’s tenants told him that the shortage of parking threatened their businesses. Beginning in 1986, Friedman asked the City to alter existing…