On-street parking

Parking is changing

New! We've moved from individual meters to pay stations – this is a pay-by-plate, pay-by-zone system. There will still be a mixture of paid, permit and hourly parking in parking zones.

New parking technology makes it easier to pay and allows you to pay using credit card, debit card, and smart pay. Payment is attached to your vehicle (by your license plate), not the parking space. This means your vehicle can move freely within the parking zone up to the time purchase or maximum time allowed.

Free 15-Minute Parking December 2-31.

Beginning Wednesday, Dec. 2, the Halifax Regional Municipality will be providing 15-minutes of free parking at paid parking locations for the month of December.

The purpose is to facilitate short-term pick-ups and loading while providing more flexibility for business owners and customers. This option is available through both the HotSpot app as well as the on-street pay stations. Residents can input the amount of time they will be parked in a parking zone, and the first 15-minutes will be automatically free.

Parking using a pay station for the first time? Follow these steps:

A 5 step infographic explaining how to park

Press any button to start - The screen on the parking station may be black. Press any button to start your session.
Select payment type - If you're paying with coins or credit swipe, select "coins/swipe". If you're paying with tap debit/credit or smartphone, select "tap card".
Enter plate and zone - Type the license plate number for the vehicle using the keypad. The zone you are in is already selected. If purchasing time in a different zone, press the "select zone" button and type the letter of your zone.
Select time - You can select time in 15 minute, 30 minute, or 1 hour increments up to a maximum of 4 hours. Press the "next" button once you have entered your time. Press confirm if the time and payment due displayed are correct.
Make payment - Paying with coins: add coins when screen displays "Confirm to pay with card or Insert coins to pay total and confirm". Press confirm when Payment Due reads $0.00.

Paying with swipe: press confirm when the screen displays "Confirm to pay with card or Insert coins to pay total and confirm". Insert card when screen reads "Insert card",

Paying with tap: press confirm when the screen displays "Please confirm and Tap Card when instructed". Tap card when screen reads "TAP card below and wait processing to complete".

On-street parking rates:

Where on-street paid parking is available, it is divided up into parking zones.

All paid parking zones have a daily 4 hour maximum
Rates vary by zone
Time can be purchased in 15-minute increments for zones A-G and 30-minute increments for zone H

Zones A, B, C, D, E, F & G

$2/hr for the first two hours
$6/hr for hours 3 and 4 up to a maximum of 4 hours in any zone

Zone H

$1.50/hr for the first two hours
$4/hr for hours 3 and 4 up to a maximum of 4 hours in any zone

The map displays the new parking zones. Click the map for a high-res version.

How it works:

When looking for on-street paid parking in areas that have historically had meters, look for these signs and note your pay parking ZONE. Zones are listed on parking signage and are letters A through H.

Once parked, you can find your nearest pay station to pay using coins, debit, credit, or Apple Pay. You can also use the HotSpot app on your mobile device (download it on the App Store for iPhone and Google Play for Android) to pay. HotSpot is a third party app with subscription/usage fees that has partnered with CALE Canada to provide our parking solution. You do not need to download HotSpot to park on street. You will need to know your license plate and parking zone to initiate a parking session.

Tip: note your license plate in your phone or write it down on a piece of paper and keep it in your purse or wallet so you don't forget.

A parking sign that reads: Payment Required, 8AM-6PM Monday to Friday. Pay Zone X.

This is a Parking Zone sign.

How to pay for parking

Common questions

How do I pay for parking?: You can pay for parking at the nearest pay station or by using the HotSpot app. You will need to know your license plate. Pay stations accept coins, debit, credit, or pay-by-phone.
Are all streets in a zone being converted to paid parking?: No. The new parking zones are for geographic and rate purposes. There will still be a mixture of paid, permit and hourly parking.
Will all on-street parking meters be replaced with pay stations?: Yes. At a minimum there will be one multi-space parking pay station per block with consideration given to a reasonable walking distance between pay stations.
Can I "top up" or add to my parking session?: Yes, either from the HotSpot app or a pay station you can add time to your parking session up to the maximum within the zone.
Do I have to download or use HotSpot to park?: No. Residents can register their parking session at the nearest pay station with just their license plate. HotSpot is a third-party app with subscription and/or usage fees that has partnered with CALE Canada to provide our parking solution. You do not need to download HotSpot to park on street. You will need to know your license plate and parking zone to initiate a parking session.
How much does it cost to use the HotSpot app?: Based on feedback from residents, we’ve negotiated a per transaction fee of $0.10 when the pay stations and zones come into affect. Currently, it is $0.25 per transaction. If you park frequently, you can opt for a monthly fee of $2.00 or annual fee of $20.00.
Do I have to park in front of or by a pay station?: No, Paid parking areas are clearly signed. Look for paid parking signage indicating where you can park and the paid parking zone. Ensure you are not parked in areas marked with “No Parking”, “No Stopping”, or “Loading Zone” signage to avoid getting a ticket.
What does the new parking solution mean for accessible parking?: If you use an accessible parking permit, your experience will not change. There will still be designated accessible parking spaces with hourly restrictions available at no charge.
Is parking still free after 6 p.m., on weekends, and on holidays?: Yes.
How will I know if I must pay to park on the street and how do I know where to go to pay?: Signs will be installed on the streets where the parking meters are being removed to indicate that payment is required on that street. At least one parking pay station will be available on each block. Staff are working on communication strategies to ensure the public are notified well in advance of the changes.
How long can I stay in one parking space?: You can pay for up to four (4) hours in any zone. Rates per hour depend on the zone you are in.
How do I get a receipt for parking?: You can visit this website to receive a receipt.
What can I do if a pay station is not working?: Please report it to us by calling 311 or sending an email to contactus@311.halifax.ca
Who can I dp if there’s a problem with my HotSpot app?: Contact the service provider via its website, mobile app or call 1-855-712-5888 (toll-free). Please do not call 311 to report issues with the mobile application.