Recent summer-like weather is a reminder that parking near Barrie’s waterfront will soon be in the spotlight again.
It’s also Year 2 for the digital resident waterfront permit.
Since its launch in May 2022, the city has issued 15,698 digital resident waterfront parking permits.
And the process is faster.
“Prior to the city moving to the digital permits, it could take up to five weeks for a resident to receive their permit,” said Brent Forsyth, Barrie’s director of transit and parking strategy.
“With the new digital program, residents are receiving their digital permit within three days of applying for it in the app," he added.
Forsyth said residents also have the option to provide their proof of residency in person at Service Barrie, located at Barrie City Hall, which can activate the digital permit immediately.
But the clock is ticking on the old hang-tag positioned on many a vehicle’s rear-view mirror.
“Just to note, the hang-tag pass system is being phased out,” Forsyth said. “All hang-tag passes for Barrie residents will expire Dec. 31, 2023, giving residents almost two years to replace the pass with a free digital waterfront parking permit.”
The permits for free parking apply to lots near Centennial Beach, spaces near the Trans Canada Trail Pavilion and Tiffin Boat Launch, Southshore Centre, parts of Ellen and John streets, portions of Lakeshore Drive as well as near Johnson’s Beach, Minet’s Point Park, Tyndale Park, and along Dock Road.
A digital waterfront permit, or hang-tag waterfront pass, is required to park for free at these specific waterfront areas. You can park without a pass or permit for $10 an hour and with a daily maximum of $50 in waterfront parking areas, which is enforced 24/7/365.
Residents of Barrie’s neighbouring municipalities — Innisfil, Essa Township, Oro-Medonte Township, and Springwater Township — can purchase waterfront permits for the calendar year for $90. For all others it’s $130.
The digital waterfront parking permit is free for Barrie residents. There is no cost for residents to use the HotSpot app or website to get their digital permit, and no payment information is required.
Each digital permit is tied to a specific licence plate. Barrie enforcement services officers can verify if the parked vehicle has a permit through its licence-plate number.
There’s no limit to the number of permits city residents can register for, which offers the flexibility to register each vehicle — provided the vehicle is registered to a Barrie address. There’s also no risk of losing a hang-tag or having to remember to transfer one between vehicles.
And there’s no fee for extra permits. Previously, residents were charged $20 for third or additional waterfront passes.
There’s also the ability to apply for a new digital waterfront permit anytime. Once the permit is active, there’s no need to bring anything with you to park on the waterfront.
For more information, click here.
