The Neighborhood Parking Permit (NPP) Program

Balancing the needs of those who park on our streets, including residents, visitors, and commuters.

Apply for Digital Permits

Updates to the NPP Program Beginning Jan. 1, 2026

Changes are coming to the NPP program beginning Jan. 1, 2026. These updates align with Boulder’s efforts to adapt parking management to a growing, higher-density community and recent changes to the city’s parking minimum requirements.

Learn more about broader parking policy and code updates.

Changes to the program in 2026 include:

  • The number of residential permits available per person will move from two to one permit per licensed driver.

    • If your household has multiple vehicles per driver, you can use Flex Permits to accommodate additional parking needs. Please note that each licensed driver in a household will need to apply for their own permit.

  • We’re replacing the old system of guest and visitor permits with new, streamlined options:

    • Day Passes: 25 free digital passes per household per year. Each permit is valid for one day, and can only be linked to one vehicle. Day passes can be assigned up to two weeks in advance.
    • Flex Permits: Up to two per household per year, available for purchase. These can be used for extra vehicles or visitors such as caregivers, contractors or family members. Unlike visitor permits, which were only valid for 24 hours at a time, flex permits can be used however a household needs including for their own vehicles.

  • Residents who meet the criteria for income-qualified rates will now receive 50% off Flex Permits in addition to existing discounts on residential permits.

Read the below FAQs to find out more about what is changing.

NPP Program Updates Frequently Asked Questions

  • The number of residential permits available per person has changed from two to one permit per licensed driver.
  • Simpler visitor permits. We replaced the previous system of guest/visitor permits with:
    • Day Passes: 25 digital day passes per household each year (valid up to 24 hours, consecutive use allowed, assignable to different plates).
    • Flex Permits: 2 per household per year, for extra vehicles or visitors like caregivers, contractors, or family.
    • Discounts: Residents who qualify for income qualified rates now get 50% off Flex Permits.

If your household has multiple vehicles per driver, you can use Flex Permits to accommodate additional parking needs. Please note that each licensed driver in a household will need to apply for their own permit.

These updates align with Boulder’s efforts to adapt parking management to a growing, higher-density community and recent changes to the city’s parking minimum requirements.

Learn more about broader parking policy and code updates.

Here’s the before-and-after:

  • Before: Two free two-week guest permits, up to 10 additional two-week guest permits available for purchase, and two annual visitor permits for purchase. Visitor permits could not be used for residents or for more than 24 hours at a time, with the intention of being used for short-term visitors like caretakers or babysitters.
  • Now:
    • Day Passes: 25 free digital passes per household per year, each valid for one day.
    • Flex Permits: Two available for purchase per household per year, transferable for additional vehicles or visitors like caregivers or contractors. You can change the license plate on the permit as many times as you need.
    • Discounts: Income qualified residents get 50% off Flex Permits.

Bottom line: The system is simpler, digital and flexible for real-world visitor needs. You can use these permits however best fits your need.

No, but they have been expanded. The 50% discount still applies to residential permits, however it now also applies to Flex Permits.

No changes here. We still check permits by license plate, and when we use consultants for program monitoring, they must purge raw data after reporting. We’ll continue to protect resident privacy.

The old system was more complicated, with multiple types of passes and stricter rules. We simplified it into Day Passes and Flex Permits, which are easier to manage, digital and better suited to real-world visitor needs. You have more control over how you need to use these permit options.

Yes. The new Day Passes and Flex Permits are much simpler and more flexible. You can assign them to different vehicles as needed, so you don’t have to worry about complicated guest permit rules anymore.

We want to make sure permits remain affordable for everyone, especially residents who rely on street parking but may have tighter budgets.

Digital Permit Frequently Asked Questions

A digital permit is fully electronic and tied to your license plate—no stickers, hangtags or decals needed. When we check your vehicle, we confirm your plate in the system to see if a valid permit or paid session is active. This means you don’t have to worry about displaying anything, waiting for decals in the mail, or replacing lost hangtags. Everything is managed instantly through your plate.

All parking permits in the City of Boulder are now digital.

Permits for BoulderPark Garages issued through Metropolis were already digital and were not affected by these changes.

You can use our customer portal at boulder.aimsparking.com. If you had a permit before the switch, just select “forgot password” to reset and log in. Once logged in, you can confirm your address and license plate are correct.

No, your license plate is all you need.

We cannot issue or renew a permit if you have a violation that’s more than 14 days old and hasn’t been paid or contested.

We’ve switched these from quarterly to monthly renewals, making them more flexible and affordable. You can also pre-pay for the rest of the year if that works better for you.

Instead of releasing them once a quarter, commuter permits now open up throughout the year as others are relinquished. Check the portal regularly—new spots usually appear around the second week of each month.

Yes! You can use any web-enabled device or contact us for support. We’ll be glad to help you apply over the phone, by email or in person.

We want to:

  • Make applications and renewals simpler
  • Give you immediate access to your permit
  • Cut down on paper waste and support sustainability
  • Provide quicker and streamlined customer service
  • Allow for more efficient enforcement in neighborhoods

We are here for you!

Email: parkingservices@bouldercolorado.gov

Phone: 303-413-7300

You can use our online portal to check eligibility. We also provide maps and guides to help identify NPP zones and available permits.

Please contact our office and we will help you update your information.

If you park in a city garage managed by Metropolis, nothing changes—you are already using a digital system.

Using license plates as permits keeps the system seamless. You do not have to display anything in your car, and we can confirm instantly whether your permit is valid. It also allows our team to enforce neighborhoods more quickly, meaning we can cover more of the city more efficiently.

You will notice it is quicker and easier to renew—no more stickers or waiting for mail. Your license plate is automatically recognized, so your permit is active right away.

We’re here to help! You can always call, email or stop by our office, and we’ll walk you through it. You don’t need a smartphone—any web-enabled device works, and we can even set things up in person if that’s easier.

We require outstanding tickets to be paid or contested first to keep the system fair. It ensures that everyone is in good standing before receiving a new permit.

Stickers and hangtags often get lost, damaged or forgotten. They also required the hassle of being picked up in person or waiting for them to arrive in the mail. Digital permits remove that hassle, reduce waste and let you update your information instantly. They also allow our team to enforce more efficiently, allowing us to cover more of the city more frequently.

Digital Permitting How-To Videos

View the videos

NPP Program History

Sharing the Streets:

In 1996, the City of Boulder adopted a new Transportation Master Plan (TMP) with the support of its citizens. One item addressed was the need to manage parking, and balance transportation demands, while preserving the quality of life in Boulder.

In this effort the city developed a number of options, among them was the use of the residential parking system. Residential parking permit programs have been used successfully in cities nationwide and are most often implemented in neighborhoods adjacent to major employment and activity centers.

Preserving the Character of Our Neighborhoods:

The Neighborhood Parking Program (NPP) is designed to make Boulder neighborhoods safe and pleasant places to live, work and attend school by encouraging less driving and reducing on-street parking congestion. Each neighborhood in the program has public parking limits that are unique to that area and take into account the neighborhood’s particular needs.

NPP Zone Permits

Permits that allow a vehicle to park in a Neighborhood Parking Permit (NPP) zone beyond the posted restriction are available to residents, visitors, employees and commuters. Each zone is color-coded. Vehicles with permits are exempted from posted parking restrictions. Please note that we do not issue permits to motorhomes, RVs, campers, or trailers.

Permits are available as follows:

  • Residents who live in a Neighborhood Parking Permit zone may be eligible to purchase one residential permit for a vehicle registered in their name.
  • Flex Permits & Day Passes Residents who live in a Neighborhood Parking Permit zone may be eligible to purchase Flex Permits & Day Passes for additional vehicle permitting needs or for visitors.
  • Businesses with addresses located within one of the 12 residential NPP zones may purchase up to three business permits for use by its employees for $79 each year. Large businesses with addresses located in an NPP zone may apply for additional employee parking permits.
  • Mobile Vendor Permits are eligible to mobile businesses that service customers within currently established NPP zones. Businesses must operate within Boulder County and be able to provide proof of mobile services. (For example: landscapers, cleaning services, etc.)
  • Contractor Permits are eligible for construction-related activities of any person who, in the ordinary course or trade or business is engaged in the servicing, maintenance, construction, reconstruction, remodeling, or repair of buildings and other structures in a NPP zone. Please fill out our Contactor NPP form to get in touch with our team about this specific permit.
  • Non-resident commuter permits are available on a limited basis and are specific to one neighborhood parking zone block. A commuter parking permit costs $40.50 per month.

Verify Eligibility

Verify Eligibility

Apply for a NPP Resident or Business Employee Permit

How to purchase

  • Neighborhood parking permits for residents and business employees are available to purchase at the Access and Parking Services office, as well as on the online parking portal.

Requirements and application

Check the requirements:

Fill out a permit application.

Submit your application

  1. Online parking portal
  2. In person

    You may submit the application and pay for the permit in the Access and Parking Services office, located at 1777 Broadway Boulder, CO 80302.

    Office hours are:

More information

Apply for a Discounted Residential Parking Permit

Review the Eligibility and Requirements for a Residential NPP Permit

Review Discount Eligibility

City of Boulder Parking and Access Services is committed to providing financial assistance to City of Boulder residents of low income by providing a discount of 50% off the residential parking permit cost for those who qualify.

The discount is available to residents currently enrolled in a City of Boulder or Boulder County income-based program. Eligible programs are:

Submit Your Attestation Form

Submit the Permit Application

The application must be submitted in person, by mail or by email to:

Pay for Your Permit

Once your application has been approved you can pay for your permit in person, by phone, or by mail.

Apply for a Commuter NPP Permit

Commuter NPP Permits

  • A commuter permit allows non-residents to park on an assigned block beyond the posted time restriction.
  • The block is chosen by the applicant based on availability.
  • Leasing a permit does not guarantee you a space on your assigned block number.
  • To view available blocks and permits, please view the Commuter Permit Program Availability Interactive Parking Map.

Applications

Application form:

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.

Fees & payment methods

  • $40.50 per month.
  • Accepted payments: cash, check, Visa, MasterCard or Discover. Checks payable to City of Boulder.

Map of Neighborhood Commuter Permit Availability

Renew a Commuter NPP Permit

Renewal information

  • It is the applicant’s responsibility to renew on time. Renewal notices will be mailed to the address or email provided on the application.
  • Permits not renewed by the deadline date will be forfeited.
  • It is the applicant’s responsibility to notify Parking Services of an address or phone change.
  • We offer automated renewals for your convenience.

Renewal payments

Renewal payments may be made via the online portal, by mail, phone with credit card, or in person.

  • Please include your customer UID or permit number with your payment.
  1. Online

    You may renew your commuter permit via the Online Parking Portal.

    Please email our office for first-time login information.

  2. In person

    You may submit the application and pay for the permit in the Access and Parking Services office, located at 1777 Broadway Boulder, CO 80302.

    Office hours are:

    Monday - Thursday: 9 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

  3. Email and phone

NPP Commuter Permit Information

Assignments and Use

  • Permits are valid only on assigned block numbers.
  • Permit parking is available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
  • Leasing a permit does not guarantee you a space on your assigned block number.
  • Parking Services reserves the right to temporarily or permanently reassign any permit holder due to maintenance, construction or reorganization.

Conditions & Regulations

  • Individuals and vehicles not following these conditions are subject to ticketing and/or towing (at the owner’s expense), and/or revocation of the permit for one year.
  • Parking Services reserves the right to revoke a permit for nonpayment or returned checks.
  • Vehicles parked in permitted locations at the owner’s risk. Articles left in the vehicle are at owner’s risk. The City of Boulder is not liable for damages caused by vandalism, theft, driver’s negligence or natural occurances, and is not liable for personal safety.

Transferability

  • Permits are transferable ONLY if the permit(s) is leased by a business or property manager and is part of the sale of that business or property.
  • Permits cannot be resold. Property owners or property managers may reissue permits to their tenants. Property owners or property managers may be required to submit a list of the tenants to whom permits were reissued. Permits cannot be reissued for more than the permit fee.
  • Anyone suspected of permit transferring is subject to revocation.

NPP Neighborhoods & Public Parking Time Limits

NEIGHBORHOODENFORCEMENT PERIODTIME LIMIT W/O PERMIT
East Aurora 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday3 hours
Columbine 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday2 hours
East Ridge 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday2 hours
Fairview 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. School Days2 hours
Goss Grove 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday2 hours
High/Sunset 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday2 hours
Mapleton 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday3 hours
Park East-Monroe Drive 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday3 hours
University Heights 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Saturday2 hours
University Hill 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday2 hours
West Pearl 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday3 hours
Whittier 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Friday3 hours
Whittier (night) 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. Friday and SaturdayPermit Required
Chautauqua 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Summer weekends and holidays 2019Vehicles without a valid permit must pay for parking ($2.50/hour, no time limit)

NPP Zone Petitions

The Residential Access Management Program (RAMP) makes an annual assessment of various key metrics and other factors, in order to determine an appropriate neighborhood parking management strategy for neighborhoods which qualify for the Neighborhood Parking Permit (NPP) Program. Residents can request that their neighborhood be studied for possible inclusion in a new or existing NPP, or request the removal of an existing NPP.

Revitalizing Access in Boulder

The City of Boulder has launched Revitalizing Access in Boulder, a project to develop a balanced approach to multimodal transportation access and parking pricing for destinations across the city. The project advances the work of the Access Management and Parking Strategy (AMPS) Report.

Resources

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