Don’t step out into the streets without deciding where to park! Here’s our thorough guide to Jersey City parking and all you wanted to know.
It’s not easy navigating the mean streets of Jersey City. Just like New York, New Jersey also has a significant number of vehicles and almost the same kind of parking problems! Unless you’re an experienced hand, finding Jersey City parking can get out of hand! However, there’s no need to fret – we’ve summarized everything you’d want to know about parking in Jersey City into these 10 short Q&A’s!
Quick tip: Save money by booking a spot in advance. If on-site parking is too expensive, there are many off-site parking garages in Jersey City which offer value for money!
1. How can you reach Jersey City by car?
You can reach Jersey City from Lower Manhattan, Greenwich Village, or East Village via the Holland Tunnel. You can also use the Lincoln Tunnel if you’re traveling from Midtown Manhattan, Hell’s Kitchen, the Upper Eastside, or the Upper West Side.
2. Where can you find parking in Jersey City?
To be honest, if you’re willing to pay enough, you can find parking anywhere in Jersey City! However, as anyone who’s driven in New Jersey knows, that’s not an easy task for everyone. You can choose from several options – official parking at your destination (if it is available), street parking, off-site parking lots, private parking garages, and even parking decks. However, not all of these options are affordable to the common man, while others can be very unreliable during rush hour.
3. Should you choose on-site parking in Jersey City?
Restaurants, eateries, museums, concert venues, and other event locations may have their own on-site parking. You must only choose on-site official parking if you are a regular and can guarantee that there will be spots available when you arrive. It’s always best to call ahead and reserve a spot. However, on-site parking can often burn a hole in your pocket – it’s that expensive! Average on-site parking rates in Jersey City can range from $25-55.
A few factors you need to look at before going for an on-site spot include the cost of on-site parking, valet parking, reservation charges, flexibility in parking, and the number of spots available. If you feel that’s too much of a hassle, you can also book an off-site Jersey City parking spot in a jiffy using a handy parking app like Way.com.
4. Do you need a Jersey City residential parking permit to park on the streets?
Not all streets in Jersey City are up for parking. In certain designated zones, you will need to have Residential Parking Permits (RPP) in order to park for more than 2 hours. You can apply for a residential parking permit at the Division of Parking Enforcement. For $15 and with adequate address proof, you can get an annual parking permit that will allow you to park on the closest street anytime, 24 hours a day. People who need regular street parking because they work in an area can purchase a $50 permit every six months or get a non-residential parking permit for $300 a year.
5. How much will Jersey City street parking cost you?
You can find metered street parking on almost all streets in Jersey City. Newark Avenue, Christopher Columbus Drive, and Montgomery Street are some high-demand locations. On-street parking will cost you between $1-2 per hour, with a time limit of 2 hours. Meters are usually operational between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., but there could be slight changes depending on the street. Street cleaning is usually done between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays. You can also find plenty of free street parking throughout Jersey City, subject to the same restrictions. Check the parking signboards for the exact rules and regulations before parking.
6. What are the Jersey City parking rules you should know?
Parking limits, street cleaning regulations, parking rates, colored curbs – the list of parking rules to keep track of is endless! Here’s a quick breakdown of the most important rules you should know.
General Rules
- Do not park in front of a public or private driveway.
- You are not allowed to park within 10 feet of a fire hydrant, 25 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection, or within 50 feet of a railroad crossing.
- You cannot park within 50 feet of a stop sign or 20 feet of the entrance to a fire station.
- Do not park in an area where a municipal ordinance has prohibited parking.
- You cannot park in parking spaces earmarked for the handicapped unless you have valid proof.
- You also need to be within six inches of the curb.
Guide to Colored Curbs
- Red Curbs: No parking, standing, or stopping at any times
- Yellow Curbs: No parking allowed, but standing or stopping is allowed in certain situations (indicated by signboards)
- Blue Curbs: Reserved for disabled permit vehicles
- Green Curbs: Reserved for car-pooling vehicles
- White Curbs: Restricted parking.
Parking holidays
- New Year’s Day
- Martin Luther King, Jr Day
- Lincoln’s Day
- Presidents Day
- Good Friday
- Memorial Day
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Election Day
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Day after Thanksgiving Day
7. Is Jersey City alternate side parking applicable?
Yes, like NYC, Jersey City also has a unique rule called Alternate Side Parking (ASP). During ASP timings, cars on the designated side of the street should be moved to the other side so that street cleaning can happen without obstruction. The best way to keep yourself updated about the ASP timings is by following the Twitter account of Jersey City parking. They send out regular updates whenever ASP regulations are in effect.
Please be advised that alternate side of the street permit parking / street cleaning, residential permit parking, and metered parking are suspended tomorrow, Monday, January 17th, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. All city offices are closed. #JerseyCity pic.twitter.com/eWeiSI10lA
— JCParking (@JCParking) January 16, 2022
Related: What is NYC Alternate Side Parking and how to win at it
8. How much will a Jersey City parking ticket cost you?
Don’t take parking rules lightly when in Jersey City – regulations are strictly enforced by the parking authorities! They won’t hesitate to slap you with a steep fine even if you’re a few minutes late in moving your vehicle!
Here are some common violations and their ticket charges:
- Parking overtime – $20
- Violating alternate side parking rules – $35
- Double parking – $54
- Parking your vehicle while blowing a driveway – $54
- Parking 50 feet from a stop sign – $54
- Blocking a fire hydrant – $54
If racking up parking tickets isn’t really your thing, choose off-site parking lots and garages instead! There, you’ll be safe from the constant gaze of the parking gods!
9. How can you find safe garages for monthly parking in Jersey City?
Monthly parking is a nifty, convenient way to get yourself a cheap parking spot at a particular garage. If you work or commute to Jersey City regularly, it’s much more affordable and convenient for you to pre-book a monthly parking spot near your destination. You can easily avoid the hassle of driving up, searching for a parking spot, and paying exorbitant amounts! Use a parking app like Way.com to pinpoint the nearest top-rated garages and book a spot in just a few swipes!
10. How to find the best Jersey City parking lots
Why waste time and money circling around the block when you can book a spot even before leaving home? You can find the best deals on Jersey city parking and the best garages only through a parking app like Way.com. Besides offering easy discovery and booking, you can save up to 25% off on the parking rates! You can cut even more corners if you use flexible parking options like hourly, daily, and monthly.
Way.com is the only ‘Super Auto App’ in the US – your one-stop solution for car services like airport parking, city parking, car wash, car insurance, and more. We have more than 3 million satisfied customers, with a 4.5 rating on Trustpilot as well as iOS and Android stores.
Read more blogs on affordable airport parking, the best insurance for your car, and top-rated car washes near you.