Frequently Asked Questions

City Council passed a by-law in 1968 establishing the Calgary Parking Authority to develop and operate public parking facilities on behalf of the City of Calgary. The Authority reports to City Council through the Board of Directors. In 1994 responsibility for Parking Enforcement transferred to CPA from Calgary Police Services and management of the Impound Lot was transferred to CPA. Revenue generated by CPA is returned as a dividend to The City each year.

What is the Calgary Parking Authority (CPA)?

The Calgary Parking Authority manages and operates public parking facilities for The City of
Calgary. In addition CPA is responsible for the residential parking permit program and the parking enforcement program.

What are the Calgary Parking Authority Holiday hours of operation?

On-street pay machines remain in effect Monday - Saturday 09:00 - 18:00, with the exceptions; New Year's Day, Alberta Family Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Civic Holiday, Labour Day, Thanksgiving Day, Remembrance Day, Christmas Day and Boxing Day (if it falls on a Sunday or Monday, then December 27).

How many parking spaces does CPA manage?

The Calgary Parking Authority manages 5,000 on-street parking spaces and 6,330 stalls in surface lots and parkades, approximately 18% of all available paid parking stalls in Calgary.

Is the CPA planning to add more parking spaces to the downtown core?

The current City Transportation Plan approved by City Council limits the amount of long-stay (all day commuter) parking in the Downtown area. The intention is to limit the amount of long-stay parking in favor of increased transit or alternative transportation use. While the overall number of parking spaces will increase with continued development of office space, fewer spaces will be designated for long-stay parking.

How does the CPA set the parking rates for surface lots and parkades?

Market surveys are conducted approximately every six months to determine the market value of
parking stalls. The CPA rates are set according to market value. Rates rise or fall according to
the supply and demand for parking stalls.

Is it possible to obtain monthly parking from CPA in the downtown core?

The Calgary Parking Authority maintains waiting lists for monthly parking. Fax your name, daytime phone number and the facility where you wish to be wait listed to 403-537-7100 or email that information to cpainquiries@calgaryparking.com. You may also use the form on this website by clicking on the Parking Lots tab at the top of this page and choosing Lot Waitlist from the drop down menu. For more information, call (403) 537-7000.

Why do I need a parking permit to park on the street in my area?

Communities may ask for residential parking restrictions to protect their communities from excessive parking in the area. The residents of the community petition through Traffic Operations to have their area restricted. City Council must approve the creation of new zones. If you are a resident in the area you must then display your parking permits to park on the affected streets. The Calgary Parking Authority issues about 14,500 residential parking permits each year.

Can I get a temporary residential parking permit until I am able to change my out of province licence?

A three-month temporary permit is available while you change your address and licence. You must provide a current out-of-province registration and official proof-of-residence in Calgary within the required parking zone. Handwritten receipts or letters are not accepted.

When do I renew my residential permit?

Permits must be renewed yearly. The expiry date is printed on the permit. Permits may be renewed starting the beginning of the month preceding the expiry month, e.g. expiry date of October 31, permits available September 1.

Can students living in a residential zone receive a parking permit?

A full-time student, not ordinarily living in Calgary, may apply for a residential permit by bringing the vehicle registration certificate, student identification and a rental agreement showing the correct address within the residential parking zone to the Calgary Parking Authority.

Can my visitors park in a residential parking permit zone?

You can apply for a maximum of two visitor permits annually for each unit if you live in a single, semi-detached, triplex, four-plex, or rowhouse unit. Permits will not be replaced if lost or stolen before they expire. If you move, the visitor permit must remain at the address. Only visitors to the address may use the permits. You cannot sell a permit.

What should I do with the residential parking permit if I move from the area?

Remove the sticker from your vehicle and return it to the Calgary Parking Authority. Leave any
visitor permits at the location.

What should I do with the residential parking permit if I sell my vehicle?

Remove the sticker and return it to the Calgary Parking Authority. If you are purchasing another vehicle you may obtain a permit for the new vehicle with the updated vehicle registration. Apply in person, by fax or by mail.

Can I use residential parking and visitor permits at parking meters or in restricted parking zones?

The residential parking permits are not valid at parking meters, in No Stopping zones, or other restricted areas such as loading zones, handicap zones or school no parking areas.

Why can't I get visitor permits for my apartment?

Visitor permits will not be issued for apartment buildings because on street spaces are limited and will not accommodate the large number stalls required for each individual apartment. Issuing visitor permits to each apartment would create the same parking problems the permit is trying to solve.

Where do I place the permit sticker and are there any conditions for use?

Apply the permit to the inside driver's side of the rear window.
You cannot sell, trade, give away or allow any person to use your sticker. This is in accordance with City of Calgary By-Law #26M96.

What is the Municipal Impound Lot?

The Municipal Impound Lot is a safe, secure storage facility for vehicles seized by Peace Officers. Vehicles are commonly seized if they are in violation of parking or driving regulations or if they are involved in serious accidents. The Calgary Municipal Impound Lot will hold 957 vehicles.

Where is the Municipal Impound Lot?

The address of the Lot is 400 - 39 Avenue SE T2G 5P8.

Hours of Operation: Effective April 11, 2010

Monday to Friday: 7:00 am to 11:00 pm

Saturday, Sunday and Statutory Holidays: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Closed: Christmas Day

Why do we have a Parking Enforcement program?

Parking Enforcement ensures compliance with The City and Province's parking regulations. Through voluntary compliance Parking Enforcement's role is to improve public safety, traffic flow, and conformance to community standards. This is done through public education and public awareness. Enforcement through ticketing and/or towing is a last resort.

Why does CPA manage the Municipal Impound Lot?

CPA took over management of the Impound Lot (400-39 Ave SE T2G 5P8) in 1994 in a move to improve customer service at the facility. This change has resulted in a 15% decrease in fees charged to customers for towing and storage of vehicles as well as faster notification to vehicle owners.

Why was my vehicle towed to the Impound Lot?

Generally a vehicle is towed to the Municipal Impound Lot if it violates the parking regulations. Peace Officers can remove vehicles that are parked illegally, unattended and obstructing traffic or are without valid licence plates or permits. A vehicle parked in a restricted traffic lane during rush hour is a safety hazard and may obstruct more than 500 other vehicles each hour. Damaged, derelict or stolen vehicles may also be towed to the Impound Lot.

Will I be able to drive my vehicle away from the Impound Lot?

You will be able to drive away if you have a valid operator's licence, you are not under the influence of alcohol or drugs and the vehicle is roadworthy, properly insured and has valid licence plates. If you do not have insurance or registration you may not drive the vehicle from the Lot. However you may have it towed at your expense to private property.

What are the fees to recover my vehicle from the Impound Lot?

You are responsible for the costs of towing plus a daily storage fee. If you claim your vehicle within 12 hours no storage fee will be charged. Fee schedules are posted at the entrance of the Impound Lot. Cash, debit card, Visa or Master Card are accepted for payment.

Why do I pay a towing and storage fee when my car was towed to the Impound Lot after it was reported stolen?

The costs of towing and storage of all vehicles taken to the Impound Lot are the responsibility of the owner of the vehicle. As a vehicle owner you may purchase insurance that covers all costs associated with the theft of your vehicle. If you choose not to purchase this coverage you assume the risk for all costs associated with theft.

What happens to unclaimed vehicles?

Every attempt possible is made to locate the registered owner of an impounded vehicle. Unclaimed vehicles are sold at Public Auction. These auctions are held monthly. Vehicles may be scrapped if they are deemed to have no value. After recovery of towing and storage fees, the revenue generated through the disposal goes to the Alberta Government. A registered owner my claim a vehicle anytime prior to the sale of the vehicle and is entitled to claim the residual revenue after sale from the Alberta Government. Allow 60 days after sale for payment processing.

What do I need to provide to claim my vehicle at the Impound Lot?

You must provide proof of ownership and identification and pay all towing and storage fees.

Are vehicles sold at auction free from liens?

Under the Motor Vehicle Act the last registered owner as well as any lien holder for the vehicle must be notified before the vehicle can be auctioned. Lien holders may claim vehicles that are unclaimed by the vehicle owner. Lien holders that fail to respond to the registered letter advising of the pending disposal forfeit their lien.

How and where can I pay my parking ticket?

There are several methods of payment:

Online on this website. Click on the Parking Offences tab and select Pay Tickets Online from the drop down menu. Please note that a service fee will be added to the cost of the ticket.

At a bank - most banks, trust companies, credit unions and the Alberta Treasury branch accept payment when a ticket accompanies the payment.

By mail - Pay by cheque or money order, do not send cash in the mail.

Mail to:
The City of Calgary

PO Box 2580 Station M

Calgary, AB T2P 2W9

In person - Pay by cash, debit card, cheque or money order at

The City of Calgary Cashiers, 3rd Floor, Municipal Bldg

800 Macleod Trail S. 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Calgary Parking Authority (CPA) Head Office - 620 9th Ave SW

Pay by cheque or money order at 323 - 7th Ave SE or 801-3rd St SE (Night Depository)

What happens if I don't pay my parking ticket?

Parking tickets are issued to the owner of a vehicle. If a parking ticket is not paid, the vehicle owner will receive a reminder notice followed by a `Violation Ticket'. Options listed on the back of the violation ticket include an opportunity to present mitigating circumstances to the court. Do not ignore the court appearance date on the ticket as this would result in a conviction in Provincial Traffic Court and additional court fees would apply.
In addition the vehicle owner will be unable to renew the vehicle registration until all outstanding fines are paid.

What can I do if I think my parking ticket was issued incorrectly?

Request an administrative review with the Parking Enforcement Division. Complete a review form and fax to Parking Enforcement at (403) 537-7104. Within 12 days you will receive an answer as to the acceptance or rejection of your appeal with the reasons why.
The administrative review process is a customer service that is only able to address Officer error, malfunctioning meters, inadequate signage or errors due to incorrect recording of information or data entry errors.
Approximately 10 percent of tags are appealed to CPA. If you are appealing for compassionate reasons the appeal will need to be addressed through the court system.

How many parking tickets are issued each year and what is the most common violation?

Approximately 260,000 tags are issued yearly for parking violations. The largest number of tags,
approximately 35 percent, are issued for expired meters.

Why does my parking ticket cost more than it used to?

A new fine for overtime parking was introduced to deter people from parking all day at on-street meters. Prior to the new fine amounts coming into effect on October 18, 2006, a significant number of people chose to accept a parking ticket and park at a meter all day. Parking meters are designed to encourage "short stay" parking (usually less than 2 hours) so that many customers and businesses can use the convenient curb-side parking spots. The previous fine amount of $20 was set in 1981 and was not sufficient to deter people from parking for extended periods at meters on street. The new fine for overtime parking at a meter is $40 with a reduced penalty to $30 if paid within 21 days.

It is the Calgary Parking Authority’s view that the increased fine will act as a deterrent to long-stay and commuter parkers at on-street meters.

Do I get demerit points against my operator's licence for parking tickets?

No, parking violations do not result in demerit points against your licence.

Who can issue a parking ticket?

Parking tickets can only be issued by a Peace Officer; this includes Police Officers, Special Constables and Bylaw Enforcement Officers.

Can my parking ticket be withdrawn if I received it for while parking for reasons involving health, medical or other compassionate circumstances?

CPA does not have the authority to consider compassionate or mitigating circumstances for an appealed tag. These appeals must be presented to Provincial Court.

Where does the money from parking fines go?

CPA is required to turn all revenues generated from parking tags to The City of Calgary's general fund. This money is used by the City in the interests of all taxpayers.

Why is the ticket for parking at a handicapped sign without a placard or handicapped licence plate so high?

The fine of $150 reflects the seriousness of this infraction. It may be impossible for a disabled person to enter a building if there is no parking close to the entrance.

Does my Monthly Transit Parking pass cover downtown on-street parking?

No, your Monthly Transit Parking pass is ONLY for the Calgary Transit parking lots. You still are required to pay for parking downtown.

I have set up a cell phone account online; however, when I call in from my cell phone, the system tells me that the cell phone number is not recognized.

Your phone number has been blocked from being displayed. (Private/Unknown#) If you are a Telus or Bell Mobility customer, dial *31# and then the ParkPlus number: *31# 403-537-7275. For other providers, please contact your provider directly.

I have entered the necessary information and made payment, why didn’t I get a ticket for my car?

The ParkPlus system is totally paperless; the receipt is a requested optional item. You do not require a ticket for your dashboard.

Can I add time to an existing session?

No, if you have paid at a pay machine for an hour (example); you have to wait until the hour expires before purchasing more time. If you purchase more time, it will start from the time you purchase it at the pay machine, it will not add to you existing session. You can use any pay machine to purchase additional time.

Please note: as per City bylaws, the vehicle may not be parked for longer than the posted maximum.

How do I use the on street pay machine to pay?

1) Enter four digit zone number; zone is located on top of the street signs.

2) Enter license plate number.

3) Make payment; enter coins ($2, $1, $0.25) until “paid to time” is adequate or insert credit card (VISA, MC or AMEX) as pictured, remove card and by pressing the + (add) or “max time” button, select the appropriate time required.

4) Press button for optional receipt, a receipt is not required for the dash.

*Instructions are provided on the pay machines also.

What do I do if the pay machine is out of order?

Please proceed to another pay machine and make payment. If you are parked on street, payment can be made at any on street ParkPlus pay machine. If you are parked in a parking lot, you can use any pay machine within the lot.