Parking

The City of Boulder’s Parking & Access Services team recognizes the need to continually evaluate and improve upon our current systems. The city transitioned to digital parking permits to further streamline the parking permit system.

This change will improve efficiency, allowing us to provide quicker support to our customers, as well as increase our environmental sustainability. Customers will immediately receive a digital permit upon payment without having to wait for it to arrive in the mail or come pick it up in our office.

There are several changes to the permitting process with the transition to a digital-only system. These are intended to increase convenience for our customers and enhance staff efficiency. Updates to the permitting process include:

• Residential permit holders can purchase and manage guest/visitor permits online in our new parking portal.
• Residential permits will now be valid for one calendar year from the purchase date, regardless of when you purchase the permit. Residential permits will also have an easier renewal process for the second year. Customers will only need to attest that their information has not changed rather than reapply with all their documentation.
• Surface lot and commuter permit renewals are changing from quarterly to monthly, so they are more affordable, and convenient for customers who need a short-term solution. Customers can now pre-pay for these permits up to the end of the calendar year. If you purchase a permit in January, you can purchase for all 12 months at the same time.
• Commuter permits will no longer be offered on a first-come, first-served basis at the end of each quarter. Instead, these permits will become available throughout the year as they are relinquished. Customers should check the second week of every month for permits that become available.
• You will not be able to purchase or renew a digital permit if you have a parking violation that has not been either paid or contested in over 14 days from its issuance.

On-street parking permits became digital-only beginning Monday, Nov. 4, 2024.

The switch to digital permits only impacts those using residential (including guest and visitor) permits, commuter permits, business employee NPPs, contractor NPPs, surface lot permits, Trinity Garage permits, Boulder Junction Garage permits, and other on-street parking permits. Customers that have a garage permit through Metropolis will not be impacted. Those parking without a permit will not be impacted.

Permits to any of our BoulderPark garages powered by Metropolis are already digital and will not be impacted by this change.

Your permit is still valid for the term of purchase; however, it will be digital. On or shortly after Nov. 4, please login to the new portal using the ‘forgot password’ link and confirm that your vehicle information is correct for your digital permit.

Digital permits - including existing permits - will be available for purchase and renewal in our new customer service portal beginning Nov. 4. After applying for a permit and receiving approval, you will see the permit added to your online account. Once the transition to the new digital software is complete, you will be able to manage the permit virtually. You will no longer be required to visually display any kind of permit on your vehicle. Permits will be tied to your vehicle's license plate and managed digitally.

No, you do not need a cell phone to purchase a digital permit. You can access permits from any web-enabled device by visiting the customer portal. You can also make an appointment with our Parking & Access team in person or apply via email or phone – you also do not need a computer to purchase a digital permit.

The renewal period for several of our permits is changing.

Residential permits will be valid for one calendar year from the purchase date. Residential permits will also have an easier renewal process for the second year. Customers will only need to attest that their information has not changed rather than needing to reapply with all their documentation.

Surface lots and commuter permit renewals are changing from quarterly to monthly. However, customers can pre-pay for these permits up to the end of the calendar year. If you purchase a permit in January, you can purchase for all 12 months at the same time.

Additionally, commuter permits will no longer be offered on a first-come, first-served basis at the end of each quarter. Instead, these permits will become available as soon as they expire. Customers should check the second week of every month for permits that become available.

Some permit zone residents may be eligible to purchase up to two visitor permits per household for $5 per permit. Visitor permits are valid for up to 24 consecutive hours and there is no limit to how many times the permit can be used throughout the year. Visitor permits are a great option if you have daily visitors who need parking such as a babysitter. Visitor permits may not be used by any individual living at the residence. If there is any abuse of this permit, we can revoke all permits tied to the residence for up to one year.

For more information about how to manage visitor permits in the online portal, please watch our how-to video.

Each household within an NPP zone is eligible for two free guest permits per year. Additional guest permits can be purchased for $5 per permit. Each permit can only be linked to one vehicle. Guest permits allow a guest to park at your residence for up to two weeks. Please note that vehicles with guest permits are still subject to the city’s 72-hour rule, which means they must be moved every 72 hours. This could be a simple trip to the store or a friend’s house. Guest permits are a great option if you have a guest staying with you temporarily.

To learn more about how to manage guest permits in the online portal, please watch our how-to video.

• Less chance of parking citations. Parkmobile can send reminders by text message to your cellular phone – just check the box in your profile to receive reminder messages.
• Pay for parking via a smart phone application
• All you need is: cell phone, credit card or PayPal account, and your car's license plate number to register. The smartphone application can save vehicle information, credit card or PayPal account numbers, and various parking zone locations.

• Drivers register online/via a smart phone application. Download the app or call the toll-free number on the sign located near the pay station.
• When you park in your space, use the Parkmobile smartphone application or call the toll-free number indicated on the lot sign. Key in your zone number, located on the sign near the pay station. This number is different for every parking zone and can be saved via the smartphone app. Select the amount of time you wish to park.
• If time-limits apply in the space where you parked, Parkmobile will send a text 15 minutes prior to the expiration of your paid parking. You may select to add more time or return to your car on time.

When you register, you sign up to pay by credit card or PayPal using our secure site. Payments are usually posted the same day, so you can login to your Parkmobile account and see your parking transactions on your Parkmobile page.

It depends on where you are parking. A toll-free number is posted at every site, or download the app and it will save you time.

It depends on the parking restrictions in the area in which you've parked. Your parking transaction will continue until you deactivate it or until the maximum time runs out.

Contact Parkmobile right away. Give them the details and they’ll help you sort it out.

When you use the mobile app or call to start the parking session, you key in a zone number. Parkmobile’s system recognizes your cell phone number, connects it to your license plate number and activates your parking in that zone. The parking officer verifies your parking session by matching the license plate to the zone number.

Parkmobile cannot stop parkers from parking in the wrong place or taking up two spaces or any other violations that may apply. Avoid tickets and towing by activating your parking session, and don’t overstay the posted time limit. Please read the posted signage in each area to be certain the Parkmobile is in effect at the time you are parking.

Our new on-street parking pay stations no longer require you to display a paper receipt. All you need is your license plate number. Paying by phone means you don't need to walk to a pay station to pay or enter your license plate. As long as you use the pay by phone system correctly, you should not be fined. See the question above regarding parking officers.

The Parkmobile system is PCI DSS level 1 compliant and your Parkmobile personal page is SSl 256 encrypted.

Normal hourly parking charges apply plus a $.45 convenience charge per every transaction you make.

No additional charge for the service. (Check your cell phone plan. Some cell phone providers may charge you to receive text messages.)

You can go online to your Parkmobile personal page anytime to make changes to your account, review parking charges, print parking transactions or export data to another format.

Look for the green Parkmobile signs!