Frequently Asked Questions
Garages and Lots
Define "public" parking facilities?
Parking is defined by use, not by ownership. Garages and lots are open for "public" parking wherever any motorist can pay a fee to park. Private or restricted parking facilities are only open to permitted employees or customers of a business or institution.
Where can I find the Parking Authority garages?
Click on the Map to locate the three convenient Parking Authority garages.
What are the operating hours of the Authority garages?
Click on the Hours page to find when Authority garages are open.
What are the parking rates in Authority garages?
Click on Garage Rates to learn prices in Authority garages.
Which other garages and lots are available for public parking?
A Downtown Parking Inventory of all public parking facilities and their rates is periodically updated by the Parking Authority, and is a part of this web site.
Will downtown businesses validate my parking ticket for free parking?
Over a dozen downtown businesses validate free parking for customers in Authority garages. You must take the ticket with you to have it stamped.
How can I sign up for monthly parking?
With a Visa or Mastercard you can purchase your garage parking online, or phone the garage location you prefer. The manager can answer your questions and will assist you in obtaining an application for a monthly access card.
How does the monthly access card system work?
Upon completion of an application, payment of a refundable card fee and the first month's rental in advance, the uniquely coded access card is issued to the monthly parker.
When are monthly payments payable, and what happens if I don�t pay on time?
Monthlies agree to pay by the first day of each month, in advance. Your access card will not open the gate if your payment is late. Daily rates apply until your fee is paid. There are no refunds for daily payments.
Can I transfer use of my access card?
No, the access card cannot be assigned to anyone other than the original monthly parker. The card must always be used in sequence to enter and then to exit the garage. Using the card out of sequence will result in anti-pass back that prevents the gate from rising.
What happens if I damage or misplace my monthly access card?
Monthlies are urged to carefully handle and keep track of their cards. Cards will be replaced for a fee. See the parking garage manager in your facility immediately to replace a card. Your old card number is coded out and that card becomes unusable.
Parking Meters
Where are the parking meters located?
Nearly all the downtown meters are located on the 100 commercial block-faces within the area generally bounded by Broadway and Swan Street, and by Madison Avenue and Livingston Avenue.
What are the meter operating hours?
Meters operate Monday through Friday 8 AM to 6 PM, except major national holidays.
How long can I park at a meter?
Check the overhead white and green traffic signs posted in every block where meters are located, and look through the glass meter dome to determine the time limit. Most meters allow parking up to two hours, but a few only have a 20-minute duration in high turnover areas. Others permit parking up to four and up to ten hours.
What are the parking meter rates?
Fees range from 12 minutes for a quarter to 30 minutes for a quarter, depending on meter location. Click on meter rates.
Which coins do parking meters accept?
All meters only take valid United States quarters and the new gold-colored dollar coins, and most provide 12 minutes for 25-cents. Canadian coins, pennies, nickels and dimes will not register time.
Who do I call if a parking meter malfunctions?
You can phone the Parking Authority at 434-8886. Please note the meter I-D number under the glass dome before calling.
CashKey
How much does a CashKey cost?
CashKeys are free, but have a refundable deposit of $20 that is due upon the issuance of the CashKey.
How much money can I put on the CashKey?
You may put as little as $10 or as much as $100 on a CashKey in $10 increments. Treat your CashKey the same as cash. No refunds can be issued for a lost CashKey.
How can I tell how much money is left on my CashKey?
Go to a CashKey meter and insert your key in the receptacle once to see the dollar amount on your key. The amount shown is rounded to the nearest dollar. Then take the key out so you are ready to put time on the meter. Each subsequent key insertion is the same as inserting a quarter.
May I use change in a CashKey meter?
Yes, and you may also alternate between key insertions and coin insertions.
Will I still be charged if I use the CashKey and it does not give my parking meter time?
You should make sure you insert the CashKey all the way into the receptacle on the meter. The CashKey will not be charged if there is no time given, nor will it charge past the time limit of the meter.
When I leave my CashKey in the receptacle, my parking meter reads, "FAIL". Does this mean my CashKey is broken?
No. The CashKey should only be in the receptacle no more than 2 seconds. If your meter is reading, "FAIL" while your key is in the meter, simply pull it out and start over.
What if there is something stuck in the CashKey receptacle and I can't put my key in all the way to get time?
Simply park in another space and notify the Albany Parking Authority so we can fix the problem. Call us at 518-434-8886.
General
What can I do about a parking ticket?
Read the instructions on the ticket about options for payment and appeal. The Parking Authority does not issue citations. Albany Police Department enforces meters.
What if my car is booted or towed?
Booting and towing are Albany Police Department enforcement responsibilities. You can call the phone number on the Booting Notice. If your car is towed, call 458-5620.
How can I get a Handicapped tag or plate?
The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) issues Handicapped tags or plates to qualified vehicle owners. Call the DMV at 1-800-225-5368, or visit the DMV office at 224 South Pearl Street
Where can I get information about the free downtown shuttle bus?
Call CDTA at 482-8822, or click on the CDTA web site.
Where can I get general downtown information?
Call the BID at 465-2143 or click on the BID web site.