Meeting Planned in Van Nuys for L.A.'s New Valet Parking Rules

Los Angeles officials Thursday scheduled five meetings across the city to explain new valet parking rules to the people who park Angelenos' cars at restaurants and clubs.

All valets in the city will be required to obtain permits and insurance, and not park on streets, unless they have specific city permission, under the new ordinance. Fees will have to be paid to replace parking meter revenue at some locations.

Other provisions require valet firms to file all agreements with the parking lots they use and describe how many parking spaces on private lots will be reserved at any particular location. Valets will be required to let patrons know where they can get their keys after the valet operation closes, according to the ordinance.

The ordinance also bans recent felons from parking cars, and mandates that valets have driver's licenses and wear safety vests.

Meetings to explain the ordinance to valets and their companies will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the city offices at 1645 Corinth Ave., West Los Angeles; at 9:30 a.m. next Thursday at offices at 6262 N. Van Nuys Blvd., Van Nuys; at 1:30 p.m. Nov. 6 at the community center at 7166 W. Manchester Ave., Westchester; at 1:30 p.m. Nov. 7 at First Presbyterian Church, 1760 N. Gower St., Hollywood; and at 11:30 a.m. Nov. 8 at USC's Galen Center, 3400 S. Figueroa St.

Attendees are asked to register in advance at (213) 996-1210. The entire ordinance is posted at http://clkrep.lacity.org/2009/09-0206_RPT_ATTY09-19- 13.pdf .

- City News Service