City of Columbus

Short North Parking Plan FAQs

Eligibility FAQs

• I can’t find my address on the eligibility map, how do I apply for a permit?
  Not all addresses are listed on the eligibility map.  If your address is not listed, please email us at [email protected] and include your name and address and our team will get back to you as soon as possible with the next steps in the process.
• Why is my property not eligible?
  Residential properties that are greater than 5 units in size AND were built after 2008 are currently not eligible for parking permits in the Short North.  These buildings generally were built with onsite parking that was intended to accommodate all tenants and guests on property.  These properties were also built with the intent of offering a car light or car free experience.  Residents who live in these non-eligible properties are asked to contact their property management company for more information on parking options on their property.
• Will the City reevaluate its property eligibility criteria? And if so, when?
  The City is open to adjusting this criteria as part of the 6 month stabilization process that will occur this summer.  The basis for adjusting this eligibility criteria will include an analysis of on-street parking demand and existing permit utilization.

Application FAQs

• What documents do I need to apply for a permit?
  Click here to see a list required documents to apply for resident, institution, and business permits.
• How many documents can I upload online as part of my application?
  There are four upload spaces for resident applications and two upload spaces for business applications.  If you have more documents to submit to meet your documentation requirements please consider combining some documents into one file.  Please keep in mind there is an 8 MB size limit as well as file type limits.  For more information, please read the documentation requirements on the application portal front page.
• I missed the deadline to apply for a parking permit, what do I do now?
  Don’t worry.  Save the trip to our office and start the process by applying online.  Click here to start.
• How many permits can a resident or business apply for?
  More information on permit limits and associated fees can be found here.
• I applied for a parking permit online, what happens next?
  You will receive an approval or denial email within 10 business days.  If you do not receive an email within 10 business days please email us at [email protected] and be sure to reference your account number that was posted on the permit application confirmation page and also emailed to you after you submitted your application.
• I enter my address and see an error message that an account is already set up, what do I do next?
  Our system matches one address to one account, and separate accounts are not allowed for a singular address.  In most cases, you are receiving this message because your roommate, partner, spouse, or tenant has applied for a permit and that permit request is either under review or it has been approved and that individual has credentials to the account on that address. Please email us at [email protected] and we can verify who the account holder is and to determine next steps in the process.
• The account owner at my address has moved out, how do I access my permits?
  Please email us at [email protected] with more information and documentation indicating the account owner has vacated the property.  Our staff can then provide additional steps to switch account ownership to another household resident.
• I purchased a new vehicle, how do I get a permit?
  Whether you replaced a vehicle, have a rental car, or a temporary vehicle, there are two options to obtain a permit for the new vehicle.  The quickest option is to place your new vehicle’s license plate on your guest permit if you have one purchased.  This can happen instantaneously.  The second option is to submit a change plate request via your customer portal.  Please follow the instructions carefully and submit all required documentation for our staff to review.  Please allow up to ten (10) business days to process a plate change request on a resident permit.

Enforcement FAQs

• I received a parking ticket with a fine and believe I received that ticket in error, what do?
  The City of Columbus has a very easy way to contest a ticket.  If the ticket was issued in error, it will be dismissed.  Please visit www.ParkColumbus.com and click on “Contest a Parking Ticket” to start the one step online process.
• Is parking free on Sundays and Holidays?
  Yes, all parking meters and mobile payment only zones are free on  Sundays and city recognized holidays.  For a list of city recognized holidays, click here

Resident Permit FAQs

• How many resident permits can each household have?
  Each household in the Short North is allowed up to 2 resident permits.  The main requirement is that each permit is tied to an individual driver.  Residents are also allowed up to one guest permit and 300 24-hour guest passes.
• I have more than 2 drivers at my house, what are my next steps to receive additional permits?
  Each household in the Short North is allowed up to 2 resident permits.  However residents are encouraged to fill out an appeal form to request additional permits.  Parking Services staff will review the appeal and respond back accordingly as to whether or not additional permits can be granted.  Visit www.ParkColumbus.com and click on “Parking Management Plans & Permit Parking” and then click on “Short North Parking Plan”.  The appeals form is towards the middle of the page.
• Why do I need to submit required documents to receive a permit?  And why do these documents need to be in my name?
  Parking Services requires three documents to be submitted as part of the application process to determine if the person applying for a permit lives at that address and is entitled to park in exemption of posted parking restrictions.  A driver’s license is required to verify the applicant name, a vehicle registration is required to verify the license plate that needs a permit, and a utility bill is required to demonstrate the resident lives at the address where they are applying for a permit.  Names are required to demonstrate the person lives at that address.  For more information on documentation requirements please click here
• I forgot to apply for a guest permit, or another resident permit when I initially applied.  What do I do?
  Once you have initially applied for a permit, your request is pending in our system and cannot be accessed or modified until it is reviewed and either approved or denied by staff.  Once reviewed and if approved, you will then have an opportunity to apply for additional permits via your customer portal.

Residential Guest Permit and Pass FAQs

• I purchased a resident guest permit, how do I use it?
  You can manage your guest permit on your customer portal.  When you log in to your customer portal, click on Guest Permits and Passes.  Then click on Change Guest Permit Plate.  Edit the plate number on your guest permit and make sure to hit submit to save your changes.
• What is the difference between a Guest Permit and Guest Pass?
  A guest permit is a flexible, by license plate permit, that is managed through a permit holder’s customer portal.  A resident can apply for a guest permit just as they would a resident permit.  A guest permit allows a resident to place a license plate on their virtual guest permit for as much time as they would like.  This permit should be used first for a guest visiting a residence and should be used for the long term stay of a resident guest.  Guest passes are 24 hour validation codes that are requested through a permit holder’s customer portal.  These validation codes are then sent to the resident guest.  These validation codes are redeemed on the ParkColumbus mobile application when a guest has arrived at your residence and parked.  This guest pass allows the parker to park for 24 hours for a flat fee of $6.  The guest does not have to worry about the hourly parking rate, having to move their car after 3 hours, or having to move their car after 10pm when the street becomes permit only.
• How do I have more than one guest park at my house if I only have one guest permit?
  Residents who purchase a guest permit are also entitled to up to 300 24-hour guest passes.  To use your guest passes, log in to your customer portal and click on Guest Permits and Passes.  Then click on request guest passes.  Select the quantity and hit submit.  Your guest pass code is created, and can be emailed directly to your guest to use when they arrive at your house.  Your guest will use the ParkColumbus mobile application and enter the guest pass code when they go to pay for parking.  This will allow your guest to park for 24 hours for a flat fee of $6.  Guests can also pay an hourly rate to park up to 3 hours between 8am-10pm.
• Why are 24 hour guest passes so expensive?
  24 hour guest passes cost $6 per use.  This allows a vehicle to park for 24 hours on a Short North neighborhood street without having to move every 3 hours or move after 10pm.  This rate was set to prevent fraudulent use of the 24 hour pass for non-resident guest parking that could occur if the rate was set too low.  The City will monitor the use of these permits and will adjust the price accordingly as part of the 6 months stabilization process.
• I forgot to apply for a guest permit, or another resident permit when I initially applied.  What do I do?
  Once you have initially applied for a permit, your request is pending in our system and cannot be accessed or modified until it is reviewed and either approved or denied by staff.  Once reviewed and if approved, you will then have an opportunity to apply for additional permits via your customer portal.

Employee Permit and Mobility Options FAQs

• What documents do I need to apply for a permit?
  Click here to see a list required documents to apply for resident, institution, and business permits.
• How many permits can a business receive?
  For more information on the quantity, fee, and restrictions associated with employee permits, go to www.ParkColumbus.com and click on “For details on the Short North Parking Plan”.  Then scroll down to the “Employers & Employees” page.
• The permit program does not accommodate all of my employees parking needs?  What other options are available?
  Employee permits are one option for employees to access their jobs in the Short North.  However the permit program was not intended to solve all parking and access needs for employees and employers.  The City has partnered with the Short North Alliance to create an Employee Mobility Fund that offers a menu of options for employers ranging from off-street parking opportunities to alternative modes of transportation solutions.  Please visit http://shortnorth.org/businesstype/see-experience/parking-transit/ for more information on these options and also feel free to contact the Short North Alliance staff for more details.

6 Month Review FAQs

• Will the City reevaluate the plan and make any changes to rates, restrictions, and permits?
  The City is obligated, per our rules & regulations, to adjust the plan six months after implementation and every three months thereafter.  The first adjustment to the plan will occur this summer.  Rates, restrictions, and permit availability may be adjusted to achieve a goal of 60-80% average parking occupancy on all streets in the Short North.  Because parking demand is not equal across the entire plan area, the City will adjust parking policies by Permit District and in some cases on a 1-2 block basis.
• Will the City ask for feedback on the Plan as part of the 6 month evaluation process?
  Absolutely.  As part of the 6 month review process, the City will survey existing permit holders and customers and the neighborhood at large to obtain feedback on the plan elements including rates, restrictions, permits and the overall functionality of the program.  The feedback from these survey’s will be incorporated into any plan changes that take place this summer.