Yes, Otay Ranch Town Center Is Charging for Parking (But Only 2% of Spaces)
If your social media feed has been flooded with questions about paid parking at Otay Ranch Town Center, you’re not alone. After multiple readers reached out asking if the rumors were true, I visited the mall on Tuesday, January 27, and spoke directly with management. The answer: yes, paid parking is real—but it’s not quite what many people think.
There hadn’t been any official announcement, nothing in the news, and nothing prominent on the mall’s social media, which explains why so many shoppers were caught off guard.
How The Parking Fee Works
The spots in the center of the mall, closest to many storefronts, now cost $2 per hour. Customers pay by scanning a QR code posted near the spaces or through an app using their license plate number.
Here’s what many people are missing: this applies to approximately 2 percent of parking at the center. The remaining 3,665 spaces remain free. Handicap-accessible spaces and designated 5-minute pickup zones near certain stores are also unaffected by the new policy.
Right now, the mall is not issuing tickets if you don’t pay. Management confirmed they plan to enforce the policy with citations and fees in the future, but they have not yet announced a timeline or specific details about the penalties.
Why the Otay Ranch Town Center Did This
Management told me this has been an ongoing issue, especially in front of busy stores like the Apple Store. Employees were taking up many of those prime spots, and shoppers would sit and wait for a space to open, creating traffic backups in the center aisles. Security has had to increase patrols because people were parking in red zones or leaving their cars in no-parking areas while they ran inside “real quick.”
With more restaurants opening and bringing in heavier traffic, including the recently opened Yard House, the demand for those close spots has increased significantly. According to management, their goal is to increase turnover and keep traffic moving, rather than having people circle endlessly and block lanes.
This type of premium parking isn’t entirely new to Southern California malls, though it’s still relatively uncommon. A handful of shopping centers in Los Angeles and Orange County have experimented with similar programs, typically targeting their most convenient spots during peak shopping seasons.
Community Response (It has been negative)
The community reaction has been strong. Many residents are upset, and the confusion has only amplified the frustration. Some people initially thought the City of Chula Vista was charging the fee, but this has nothing to do with the city. Otay Ranch Town Center is a private property, and the ownership has the authority to make its own decisions about parking policies.
Others have said they’ll stop visiting the mall entirely, arguing that the center is already struggling and that adding fees will only drive more shoppers away. The frustration is understandable; no one likes unexpected fees, especially when they feel like they came out of nowhere.
At the same time, for shoppers willing to park in the outer lots, there are still plenty of free options just a short walk away. It’s worth noting that 10 percent of parking fees will be donated to the Emilio Nares Foundation, a local nonprofit that supports children battling cancer and their families.
What Happens Next, we will see
This policy just started this week, so we’re all watching how it plays out. It will be interesting to see whether it actually improves traffic flow in those busy center rows, how shoppers adjust their habits, and whether the mall follows through with enforcement measures.
Have you tried the premium spots yet, or are you sticking to the free lots? What do you think about this change? Head over to our Facebook page and share your thoughts. I’ll continue monitoring the situation and updating you as we learn more about how this change affects everyone who visits the mall.
Key Takeaways
- Otay Ranch Town Center has started charging for a small group of premium front-row parking spaces
- The change began Monday, January 26, 2026
- Cost is $2 per hour, paid by QR code or app
- Only about 2 percent of total parking spaces are affected—the rest remain free
- Handicap spaces and 5-minute pickup spots remain free
- 10 percent of the fees will be donated to the Emilio Nares Foundation
- Community reaction has been strong, with many expressing frustration and confusion
- Mall management says the goal is to reduce traffic issues and improve turnover in high-demand areas
