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Beach parking, resident permits and boat trailers in St. Catharines, Ontario
St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
The published 2026 paid beach-parking season ended September 30. Its rules cover Lakeside Park and Sunset Beach; Jones Beach has free on-site parking. Use these 2026 prices as dated planning information until the next season is confirmed.
Key information
The published 2026 paid beach-parking season ended September 30. Its rules cover Lakeside Park and Sunset Beach; Jones Beach has free on-site parking. Use these 2026 prices as dated planning information until the next season is confirmed.
On this page
Apply for the resident permit at a glance
- Use HotSpot and choose Special Permits, not the ordinary Purchase a Permit route
Use HotSpot and choose Special Permits, not the ordinary Purchase a Permit route. Provide photo ID, proof you live in St. Catharines and the vehicle ownership slip.
- Allow 3 to 5 business days for review
Allow 3 to 5 business days for review. HotSpot emails approval or denial; check spam and verify the account email.
- After approval, pay to activate the permit
After approval, pay to activate the permit. It is linked to the plate, with no windscreen paper. City Hall’s second-floor counter offers in-person help on weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Sources: Beach parking and resident permits
Published 2026 parking options
| Option | Price or limit |
|---|---|
| Lakeside visitor | $3.25 per hour;3-hour maximum |
| Sunset visitor | $3.25 per hour; $20 daily maximum |
| Resident beach permit | $16.25 per plate |
| Sunset seasonal trailer permit | $109.25 |
| Paid season | May 1-September 30;9 a.m.-9 p.m. |
Sources: Beach parking and resident permits
Apply for the resident permit
- Use HotSpot and choose Special Permits, not the ordinary Purchase a Permit route. Provide photo ID, proof you live in St. Catharines and the vehicle ownership slip.
- Allow 3 to 5 business days for review. HotSpot emails approval or denial; check spam and verify the account email.
- After approval, pay to activate the permit. It is linked to the plate, with no windscreen paper. City Hall’s second-floor counter offers in-person help on weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Sources: Beach parking and resident permits
Households, trailers and application help
A permit is for a resident who lives in the city, not an out-of-town property owner. It removes the hourly fee and time limit at the two beach lots, but does not guarantee a space or cover other meters.
The page conflicts about simultaneous household vehicles: one section says one per lot, the FAQ says only one permit in use across both beaches. Confirm the stricter household-use condition with HotSpot before taking two cars; this guide does not resolve the conflict by guessing.
Resident permits exclude Sunset’s trailer area. Vehicles with trailers need that designated area and its hourly, daily or separate seasonal permission. Without a trailer, a canoe/paddle-boat visitor uses the ordinary lot and its payment rules. HotSpot handles reviews and technical support at 1-855-712-5888 or support@htsp.ca.
Sources: Beach parking and resident permits
Permit lots and in-person counter
Lakeside Park Beach parking
1 Lakeport Road, St. Catharines, Ontario
Resident permits cover the ordinary lot. The 2026 visitor limit was three hours.
Sources: Beach parking and resident permits
Sunset Beach parking
1 Lombardy Avenue, St. Catharines, Ontario
Ordinary beach parking and the boat-trailer area use different permissions.
Sources: Beach parking and resident permits
City Hall permit counter
50 Church Street, St. Catharines, Ontario
Second-floor Citizens First or Parking Services counter; weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Sources: Beach parking and resident permits
Sources: Beach parking and resident permits
Questions and answers
Can a landlord living outside St. Catharines buy a resident permit?
No. Actual city residence is required.
Does my permit reserve a space?
No. Spaces remain subject to availability.
Must I display a paper permit?
No. The approved paid permit is tied to the licence plate.
Is approval enough without payment?
No. Pay after approval so the permit becomes active.
How long does review normally take?
Three to five business days.
Does the resident permit cover a boat trailer?
No. Sunset’s trailer parking has separate payment or seasonal permit requirements.
Can I use two household permits at opposite beaches together?
The page conflicts; its FAQ prohibits simultaneous use across beaches. Confirm with HotSpot before relying on it.
Can a borrowed or company car qualify?
A resident can apply while providing both vehicle ownership evidence and proof of residence.
Who answers a denied-permit question?
HotSpot at 1-855-712-5888 or support@htsp.ca; the city says reviews are handled solely by HotSpot.
Sources: Beach parking and resident permits