Selling parking permits online replaces cash, checks and paper hangtags with a QR code, a card payment and a license plate on file. It works for HOAs, apartments, churches, employers, small lots and parking companies alike. Here are the seven steps, and how the main approaches compare.
Step 1: Decide your permit types and rates
List who parks and for how long: residents, employees, guests, event visitors. Most operators need only a few permit types, such as a monthly permit, a guest or day pass and an optional reserved space. Price against what nearby parking costs.
Step 2: Set locations and capacity
Define each lot or zone and how many permits it can support. Capping permits to your spaces keeps the lot usable for the people who pay.
Step 3: Choose a permit platform
Look for plate-linked permits, guest checkout without an account, payouts to your own bank account, an enforcement tool and a pricing model you can read without a sales call. Our buyer's guide to permit software lists the six questions to ask any vendor.
Step 4: Connect payments
Connect a payment account so card payments go straight to you. OpenParking uses Stripe Connect, so permit revenue is paid out to your own Stripe account.
Step 5: Post a QR code or link
Put the QR code on signs at the lot entrance and share the link by email, text or your website. Parkers scan it, choose a permit, enter their plate and pay on their phone. No app to download.
Step 6: Collect plates and verify
Because every permit is tied to a license plate, there is nothing to hang on a mirror and nothing to counterfeit. Staff or volunteers can verify any plate against the active permit list.
Step 7: Enforce consistently and renew automatically
Warn on a first offense, escalate on repeats and be consistent. Monthly permits can renew automatically so you are not chasing payments every month.
How the approaches compare
| Approach | Setup | Payments | Plate-linked | Cost model |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash, checks and paper hangtags | Immediate | Collected and reconciled by hand | No | Staff time and printing |
| Payment links plus a spreadsheet | Hours | Online, matched to the sheet by hand | Only if you type it in | Payment processing plus staff time |
| Sales-led enterprise permit platforms | Commonly weeks, with onboarding calls | Online | Yes | Typically quote-based; ask for pricing in writing |
| OpenParking | Minutes, self-serve | Online, paid out to your Stripe account | Yes | Free to use; the parker pays a service fee (5% of a monthly permit, min $1.50; $0.35 per guest permit) |
Comparing specific vendors? Read how OpenParking stacks up against GetMyParking, HONK and Parkmobile.
Where it fits
The same steps apply to HOA visitor parking, apartment guest parking, church lots and parking companies. When you are ready, create your free OpenParking account and add your first location.
Frequently asked questions
How do I sell parking permits online?
Decide your permit types and rates, set capacity for each lot, choose a permit platform that links permits to license plates, connect a payment account, then post a QR code or link where parkers will see it. Parkers choose a permit, enter their plate and pay online.
Do parkers need an account or an app to buy a permit?
Not with OpenParking. Parkers scan a QR code or open a link in their mobile browser and pay by card, and guests do not need an account.
How much does it cost to sell parking permits online?
Costs vary by platform. OpenParking is free to use and the operator keeps 100% of the permit price. A small service fee is added at checkout and paid by the parker: 5% of a monthly permit (minimum $1.50) and $0.35 per guest permit.
How do I enforce online parking permits?
Because permits are tied to license plates, enforcement is a plate check against the active permit list. OpenParking includes an enforcement app for staff or volunteers to verify plates and record violations.
How long does it take to start selling permits online?
With a self-serve platform you can set up a location and permit types in minutes. Sales-led platforms commonly take longer because of implementation and onboarding.