Parking

Honk App

Visitors to Port Stanley can pay in one of two ways:

1. Download the free Honk Mobile App from the AppStore or Google Play
2. Tap your phone on tap-to-pay smart stations for a quick checkout experience

You can also purchase hourly or seasonal parking passes online by visiting the Online Honk Platform

Pay by Plate

Paying for parking with Pay by Plate take three simple steps:

1. Customers park, walk up to any Pay-by-Plate machine
2. Key in their license plate
3. Make a payment by credit card or cash

Seasonal Passes

Central Elgin also offers seasonal passes from the months of May to October, for those frequently visiting the beaches. 

Category 1

• The property in respect of which the Residential Overnight Parking Permit is requested has less than two (2) on-site parking spaces, including any spaces located within a garage;
• The property in respect of which the Residential Overnight Parking Permit is registered does not have the potential for creation of two (2) or more on-site parking spaces, including any spaces located within a garage; and
• The property in respect of which the Residential Overnight Parking Permit is requested is not located within two hundred fifty (250) meters, measured by the “most direct” or “straightest” walking route, of a municipal parking lot maintained between the dates for which the Residential Overnight Parking Permit will be issued; provided that the said distance requirement shall not apply in circumstances in which the owner of the property in respect of which the Residential Overnight Parking Permit is requested possesses an accessible parking permit issued by the Ministry of Transportation for the discretion of the Director of Infrastructure and Community Services.

Cost for a Category 1 Permit is $100 (+tax), and is effective for one year from the date of issue.

Category 2

Cost for a Category 2 Permit is $200 (+tax), and is effective for one year from the date of issue.

What parking lots in Port Stanley require me to pay?

A: 

• Little Beach Lot
• East Pier Lot (south end of Main St)
• West Pier Parking Lot (south end of Carlow Road)
• Lotus Lane Parking Lot (east of William St.)
• Main Beach Parking Lot (south side of Edith Cavell Blvd.)
• Old Ball Park Lot (north side of Edith Cavell Blvd.)
• Erie Rest Beach Lot

Please note that even when displaying an accessible parking pass, paid parking remains mandatory.

When do I have to pay for parking?

A: Paid parking is enforced from May 1 - September 30, 10am to 5pm

The only exception is the Boat Launch which is 24hrs, 7 days a week

How much do I have to pay to park?

A: Rates are $4 per hour to a maximum of $20 per day (this includes HST).

Except the for the Boat Launch Lot which is a $30 flat rate for the full 24 hours.

What electronic parking app can I use to pay for parking if I don’t want to use the pay station?

Can I purchase a seasonal pass so I don’t have to pay each time?

A: Yes. A seasonal parking pass can be purchased using the Honk mobile platform (www.honkmobile.com) as follows:

• For all lots except the Boat Launch - $100 plus HST. 
• Boat Launch Parking Lot - $120 plus HST. 

How does a seasonal pass work?

A: When you purchase a seasonal pass from the Honk Mobile platform, your license plate is registered into the parking system. Enforcement officers will verify your license plate and see that you have purchased a pass and not ticket you.

When I pay for parking, can I park in any lot?

A: No. When you purchase parking either at the pay station or through Honk Mobile or Parkedin app, you are entitled to park in the corresponding lot where you made your purchase. If you purchase a season’s pass, you are entitled to park in any municipal lot in Port Stanley except the Boat Launch Lot.

Why do I have to provide my license plate for a day or a seasonal parking pass?

A: A license plate is used to verify that a person has paid for parking.  There is no need to return back to your car and place a ticket on the dashboard.  As well, by using the license plate it prevents sharing of passes or duplication of passes.  If you use one of the mobile apps to purchase parking and you are having a great day and want to extend your parking time you can do that using a smart phone from where you are.  No need to return to the parking lot.

Am I allowed to swap my plate on Honk or Parkedin?

A: No, plate swaps are not permitted as payment for parking is for one specific plate number.

Are there any restrictions for on street parking?

A: While street parking is free there are time limits for on street parking between 10am and 5pm Friday to Monday for streets in the commercial area of Port Stanley.

Streets with 2-Hour Restriction

• Colborne Street (Bridge to Charlotte)
• Joseph Street

Streets with 3-Hour Restriction

• Main Street
• Bridge Street
• William Street

Streets with 5-Hour Restriction

• Hetty Street
• Colonel Bostwick Street

Where can I park a truck and camping trailer, motorhome or bus?

Can I camp in a parking lot in Port Stanley?

If I don’t pay for parking or park illegally, how much are the fines?

How can I pay my parking ticket?

A: Parking tickets can be paid by mail or in person at the Provincial Offence Office (POA) located at 480 Sunset Drive, St. Thomas.

Payments can also be made by phone at 519-631-1460 ext. 300 with credit card information.

For more information please visit the Elgin County Provincial Offences page. 

A: The Municipality of Central Elgin will only consider informal parking ticket disputes where an administrative payment error is reasonably believed to have occurred and where the charge of "Fail to Pay for Timed Parking Entitlement - Municipal Lot" has been issued.

(An example is where an incorrect plate number was entered into a pay machine and where proof of payment can be demonstrated.)

All other forms of dispute must take place by following the instructions on the ticket and exercising Option 2 – Trial Option and by attending theOntario Court of Justice located at 480 Sunset Drive, St. Thomas Ontario N5R 0J5.

This informal dispute form must be submitted within 3 calendar days (72 hours) of the issuance of the parking ticket (date on the ticket). Failure to submit within 3 days may result in automatic rejection of the informal dispute. The Municipality reserves the right to reject an informal dispute for any reason.

Important: If you have received a ticket, you must still follow the instructions on the rear of the ticket and exercise either Option 1 –Payment or Option 2 –Trial within the time frame specified, unless you receive notice from the Municipality in writing that you were successful in the informal dispute process and the ticket has been cancelled. Submitting this dispute form does not absolve you from the requirement to either pay or dispute the ticket in court within the specified time frame. The Municipality makes no guarantee that informal dispute forms will be reviewed and that a decision will be rendered within the required time period to exercise your options.

Online Parking Dispute Form

PDF Parking Dispute Form

Please send completed PDF forms to (sdesutter@centralelgin.org) 

How do by-law officers know that I have paid?

A: With this new technology, once by-law enforcement officers scan the license plate, the paid/unpaid status of vehicles will be displayed on their tablets. That's why it is no longer necessary to display the receipt on the dashboard.

Do I need to place the receipt on my dashboard?

A: No, with Pay by Plate it is not necessary to display the receipt on the dashboard.

Do I need to pay for parking if I'm displaying an accessible parking pass?

A: Yes, payment is still required for parking even if someone is displaying an accessible parking pass.

While the accessible parking pass allows individuals with disabilities to park in designated accessible parking spots, it does not exempt them from paying the parking fee or adhering to parking regulations.

Accessible parking permits are issued to ensure that individuals with disabilities have convenient access to parking spaces close to their destination, but the payment for parking is a separate requirement that applies to all users, regardless of whether they have an accessible parking pass or not.