HotSpot Parking App

• Wallet System

  The app is uniquely designed to use a wallet system for hourly parking. To pay for hourly parking, you can set up a HotSpot account, add a minimum of $10 to your wallet balance, and use those funds to pay for parking sessions. The wallet system allows you to pay, top up time, and refund any unused time if you return to your car before your parking session ends. A $0.20 convenience fee will be charged on each parking session.

• Membership for Frequent Parkers

  If you are a frequent parker, consider signing up for a membership to avoid paying the convenience fee on every parking session. HotSpot offers monthly and annual memberships ($2/month or $20/year). Members do not pay the $0.20 convenience fee per hourly parking session and can use the HotSpot app in all participating locations (including Friday Harbour, Midland, Lindsay, Tiny Township, Peterborough, Collingwood and Sudbury) at no additional cost. Hourly parking rates apply.

• Contactless Payment & QR Code Signs

  No more searching for change or finding the nearest pay station. With HotSpot, you can easily pay for a parking session from your mobile phone, and purchase downtown parking permits without needing to visit locations in person.

  QR Code Signs

  Now at the waterfront parking areas and the Collier Street Parkade, smartphone users can pay for parking, without downloading the app, by scanning the sign’s QR code. Each QR code is linked to the parking location it is in. Simply approach the sign and: 

  • Open your phone’s camera app and allow it to focus on the QR code 
  • The hotspotparking.com webpage will be detected and highlighted in yellow  
  • Tap the web page address to open the web page
  • Enter: 
    • Licence plate number 
    • Amount of time you would like 
    • Payment choice (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Pay with Credit Card)
  • HotSpot will send a receipt to email address associated to ApplePay/GooglePay or to email address entered during credit card payment screen
• Option to Purchase Downtown Parking Passes

  By purchasing your digital downtown parking passes through HotSpot, you don't risk losing a pass or having one stolen. You can also easily change the vehicle’s licence plate that is associated with your pass through the HotSpot app or website.

• Parking Session Extensions

  Running late from a meeting, appointment, or lunch date? HotSpot will send you a reminder to top up your parking session from your phone. Bonus – you avoid risking a parking ticket with no added fees.

• Refunds for Unused Time

  Can't check your phone to extend a parking session? No problem! You can refund unused parking time using HotSpot for future parking sessions.

• Parking Ticket Payment Option

  Received a parking ticket and want to take advantage of the early payment discount? Submit a picture of your ticket on the app and pay directly from your wallet balance. HotSpot will process the payment directly through the City's existing payment portal.

• Customer Service

  HotSpot's customer service provides frontline support for all account, technical, and payment concerns. HotSpot can be reached 24/7 by email and 8am–5pm weekdays by phone: support@htsp.ca or 1-855-712-5888.

  HotSpot will forward all City-related matters directly to Service Barrie to ensure you receive a seamless experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Do I have to use the HotSpot app to pay for parking?

  No, meters and pay stations remain available to pay for parking. The parking app is meant to complement these existing options.

• Can I use the HotSpot app for Barrie Transit and taxis?

  No, parking is the only service available at this time

• Why can't I extend my parking session beyond the maximum time limit?

  Most on-street downtown parking has a two-hour maximum time limit in order to drive turnover and increase availability of storefront parking spaces. For longer errands, please try using the nearest parking lot.

• How do I know my data is safe?

  The City worked with HotSpot to complete a Privacy Impact Assessment to ensure the app is set up to protect your data. At no time will the personal information collected be shared or sold to third parties. For hourly/daily parking, individuals have a choice to set up an account/profile on Hotspot’s app or may still continue to pay by credit card or cash at the meter or machine. 

  For the resident waterfront parking permit or Allandale residential parking permit, you may set up an account/profile on the app or website. Images provided (proof of address and vehicle ownership) within the HotSpot application are automatically deleted from the system after the application is reviewed. 

  If you are more comfortable in person, you can come to Service Barrie at City Hall and no HotSpot account needs to be created. A Service Barrie Agent will review the documents in person at the counter (no copies are made or kept) and if approved, your licence plate number, name, address will be entered into the system, so Enforcement Officers on duty can check the number to ensure there is a valid pass attached to it. They do not have access to any further personal information and do not track you.

• How does the City know if I have paid for parking?

  Enforcement Officers have a tool that checks if the licence plate number has a valid permit or paid session associated to it. They do not have access to any further personal information and do not track you.

  To avoid a ticket, it is important that you select the vehicle you are currently driving when parking, and make sure there are no typos when you enter your licence plate number when setting up your account. You must follow all other traffic rules, such as maximum parking time limits.  

• Why do I need to load a minimum balance?

  The app is uniquely designed to use a virtual wallet system that reduces transaction fees for customers when you have a minimum $10 in your wallet. It also enables HotSpot to issue refunds if you return to your parking space early and end your session, and to avoid charging the user a convenience fee when they extend parking sessions.

• Why should I sign up to be a member?

  HotSpot's membership options mean members don't pay a convenience fee for every parking session. By signing up for a monthly or annual membership ($2/month and $20/year), frequent parkers will save money over time. Infrequent parkers do not have to a sign up for a membership and will be charged a $0.20 convenience fee for every parking session.

• Can I use the HotSpot app at Georgian College?

  No, because Georgian College uses a different parking app.

  The HotSpot parking app is only available for use in City-owned paid parking areas.

• Can I use the HotSpot app at RVH?

  HotSpot is available for the City-owned paid on-street parking along Gallie Court and Quarry Ridge Road.

  Parking in the lots at the hospital is RVH-owned and operated.

• Is a hangtag required when purchasing my parking pass through HotSpot?

  No hangtag is required. You will be emailed a receipt of your purchase which will include a list of eligible parking lots. The licence plate number that you assigned to your parking pass is what City enforcement will use to determine if you have paid for parking.   

• How can I change the licence plate number I assigned to my digital parking pass?

  You can easily switch the vehicle licence plate number from the HotSpot mobile app or website. Visit the “Permits” section to see the active monthly parking pass you purchased and follow the prompts to switch or add a vehicle licence plate number.

• How does the app remind me when my pass is expiring?

  When you are purchasing either the Yellow or Green monthly parking pass, you can select the auto-renew feature to automatically renew your parking pass each month. No more expired parking passes! If you choose to not select this feature, HotSpot will send you a reminder to purchase a new parking pass when your current parking pass is about to expire.

• What downtown parking lots am I eligible to park at when I purchase either a Yellow or Green monthly parking pass?

  When purchasing either a Yellow or Green monthly parking pass, before you finalize your purchase, a review screen will provide you with a listing of the eligible downtown lots.  When you finalize the purchase, you will also receive an email with the same lots listed. The municipal parking map also details the parking lots where passes are permitted.

• Are in-person options to purchase passes still available?

  Yes, monthly and annual downtown parking passes continue to be sold through Service Barrie, the Barrie Transit Terminal, select recreation centres and through the BIA.