A free download for iPhone and Android users, the HotSpot app is the easiest way to manage daily parking sessions and monthly permits. App users can pay for parking with a credit card or add funds to a digital wallet using a credit card or Visa Debit card.

HotSpot app features
By using the HotSpot mobile app to manage your parking, you can:

• Pay for parking
• Extend parking sessions
• Avoid tickets with auto-alerts
• Refund unused time
• Manage your monthly parking permit

Download HotSpot:

Located throughout downtown parking areas, fast tap signs allow payment through the HotSpot website with a quick scan code. You don’t need an account to use fast tap signs and can pay with a credit card.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Note: If you are experiencing connection issues, we suggest turning off ShawOpen wifi network on your phone while you set up your parking session. Remember to turn it back on when your transaction is complete.

1. Use the built-in camera on your phone to scan the quick-scan QR code on the fast tap sign nearest to your parked vehicle. Do not use a third party code scanning app. After scanning the code, ensure that the website you see is the official HotSpot site (hotspotparking.com) before interacting or providing payment information. Scroll down to see a screenshot example.
2. Confirm the location on the screen matches the location of your vehicle (either a street name or 4-digit zone number. 
3. Enter your licence plate number and ensure it is correct. Note: Alberta does not recognize the letter O on a plate. It is always the number 0 (zero).
4. Enter the amount of time you wish to park.
5. Confirm all details are correct and click the payment button.

Fast Tap signs - used for HOURLY sessions:

Fast Tap signs in parking lots - used for MONTHLY permits only:

Fast Tap parking transaction

This is what your screen should look like after scanning a fast tap sign:

Note: Parking sessions that are initiated through a fast tap sign cannot be extended or refunded. These features require an account and can be accessed through the app.

If you prefer not to use an app or website, 21 new pay stations are available throughout downtown and hospital zones. Pay stations offer several payment options, including coins, credit cards, Interac tap, Apple Pay and Google Pay. SmartCard parking cards are also accepted at the pay stations, but are no longer able to be reloaded and are no longer being sold.

Note: Parking sessions that are initiated through a pay station cannot be extended or refunded. These features require an account and can be accessed through the app.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Note: Follow the instructions and prompts on the screen before making payment.

1. Enter your licence plate number and ensure it is correct.
   Note: Alberta does not recognize the letter O on a plate. It is always the number 0 (zero).
2. Tap the green check mark button below the screen to confirm.
3. Enter the zone number you are parked in. This is a 4-digit number indicated on the parking signs near where the vehicle is parked (in lots and on-street).
4. Set the time required using the blue + and – buttons. Tap the green check mark button to confirm.
5. Make payment, using coins or card.

You will be issued a receipt. You do not have to return to your vehicle to place the receipt on your dashboard, but we recommend keeping it as proof of payment.

Video: How to pay with a credit card at a pay station:

On-street stalls are located throughout downtown. There are different zones, each represented by a different colour, that have specific time limitations. See below for the restrictions and current rate for each of the four zones.

You can pay for your on-street parking session via the HotSpot app or the nearest fast tap sign or pay station. Scroll up for instructions regarding payment methods.

Please note: If your parking session is equal to the maximum time limit of the subzone, you must move your vehicle to a different subzone when your session expires. You can park in the original subzone again after an hour has passed.

Pay Station and Parking Zone Map (pdf)

Parking Zone	Current Rate*	Signage
30 Minute Maximum Limit Vehicles must be moved after 30 minutes to a different subzone.	$1.00/30 min
2 Hour Maximum Vehicles must be moved after two (2) hours to a different subzone.	$1.75/hour
4 Hour Maximum Vehicles must be moved after four (4) hours to a different subzone.	$1.25/hour
8 Hour Maximum Vehicles may remain parked for eight (8) hours.	$1.00/hour

If your visit to downtown will be longer than an hour or two, we recommend using an off-street parking lot. You can use a pay station, fast tap sign or the HotSpot mobile app to pay for your parking session. Scroll up for instructions regarding payment methods.

Do not back in to parking lot stalls. When parking in a lot, park with front wheels to the curb. Backing in to these stalls is not permitted as your licence plate must be visible to enforcement officers.

See the Pay Station and Parking Zone Map (pdf) for the locations of each lot.

Daily parking is not currently available at Sorensen Station parkade.

Download the Accessible Parking Options Map (pdf) to view accessible parking options in downtown Red Deer.