Beach Parking

Permits are open to residents only. Individuals who reside elsewhere but own property in the City are not eligible and will not be issued a permit.

You must provide your vehicle ownership, photo ID, as well as one of the following:
• Ontario driver’s licence
• Recent Utility bill (e.g. hydro, water, gas, phone, internet/cable TV)
• Change of address receipt from Canada Post
• Lease or rental agreement for property in St. Catharines
• Mortgage statement for property in St. Catharines
• Insurance policy or insurance statement for property in St. Catharines
• Property tax assessment
• Document showing residence at a long-term care home

Permits will not provide for on-street / metered parking and do not guarantee a space when lots are full. Resident permits cannot be used to park in the Sunset Beach boat launch parking area.

Individuals with two permits cannot use both permits at the same time, regardless of them being parked at different beaches simultaneously. Parking Officers will issue a ticket to one or both vehicles, if they are found to be at the beaches, at the same time.

A new vendor (HotSpot Parking) is in place as of 2024; therefore, you cannot use the same account that you used in years prior to 2024 You must create a new account with HotSpot.

How will I know if my permit was approved?

You will receive a notification via email from HotSpot if your permit was approved or denied within three to five business days. Please be sure to check your junk / spam email folder, and please ensure you verify your email address, when you sign up for a HotSpot account.

Why was my permit denied? Will my credit card still be charged?

Your credit card will only be charged once your application is approved, and you purchase a permit. If your permit application has been denied there will be no charge to your credit card. You must pay for your permit after you receive approval, in order for your permit to be active. Not doing this may cause you to be subject to a parking ticket.

Here are some reasons you may be denied:
• Insufficient or out-of-date proof of residency
• Missing Information (proof of residency, vehicle registration, etc.)
• Two permits are already issued under this address.
• Commercial properties do not qualify
• If you have any other questions on your denial of a resident parking permit, please contact HotSpot at 1.855.712.5888 or support@htsp.ca.

When is paid parking in effect at beach lots, when is the permit used?

Annually from May 1 to Sept. 30.

How long does it take for me to obtain a permit?

Depending on volume and demand, it could take three to five business days to be approved.

How do I pick up / obtain my permit?

Your vehicle licence plate is your permit. There are no physical permits.

My vehicle is not registered to my address, but I live in the city (I use a company vehicle, I use a parent from out of town’s vehicle, I use a caregiver’s vehicle, etc.)

As long as you reside in St. Catharines, you can apply for a permit. You must still submit proof of vehicle ownership and proof of residency.

I submitted the wrong documentation, now what?

Please contact HotSpot at 1.855.712.5888 or support@htsp.ca 

I own property in the City, but do not reside in St. Catharines (I am a landlord)

Permits are for residents only. If you live outside of St. Catharines, you are not eligible.

I live in another Niagara municipality, and pay taxes to the Region, why am I not entitled to a permit?

With the City moving forward on improvements to provide a safer and more enjoyable beach experience, the parking fees for non-St. Catharines residents are a way for these beach users to contribute to supporting the recreational infrastructure. Regional taxes do not support maintenance or investments into City beaches. Beaches remain free to access for all visitors and free parking is offered offsite with connections to beaches via sidewalks and trails.

Parking Fees

• Sunset Beach: $3 per hour, or $20 flat rate
• Lakeside Beach: $3 per hour with a three-hour maximum
• Exceeding time limits will result in a penalty notice.

I would like to launch my Boat / Seadoo at the Sunset beach Boat Launch, does my resident parking permit allow for this?

No. Resident beach parking permits allow for vehicles to be parked in the main Sunset Beach lot and Lakeside Park lots and are not valid in the boat launch area. Vehicles with an attached trailer must use the designated parking area near the boat launch, and both Residents and Non-Residents will be required to pay $3 per hour. Sunset Beach: $3 per hour or $20 flat rate or apply for a $103.50 seasonal boat launch permit. To apply for a seasonal boat launch permit, please visit stcatharines.ca/beachparking for more information, or attend Parking Services in person, at City Hall, located at 50 Church St., to pick up and pay for your boat launch permit (Trailer licence plate required).

NOTE: Sunset Beach and its boat launch will be closed for portions of 2025 to complete extensive upgrades. Boat launch permits will not be sold for the 2025 season. See Sunset Beach Renovations for details and an alternative boat launch option.

I have a canoe / paddle boat (no trailer) do I require a season boat launch permit?

No. Only those with a trailer are required to pay the parking fees or season launch permit fee. Those without a trailer may use the remainder of the beach lot, using either a resident parking permit with no time limit, or by paying $3 per hour / $20 flat rate (Sunset Beach). You cannot park in the designated boat launch area.

NOTE:Sunset Beach and its boat launch will be closed for portions of 2025 to complete extensive upgrades. Boat launch permits will not be sold for the 2025 season. See Sunset Beach Renovations for details and an alternative boat launch option.

I don’t have a computer, email, and /o r credit card, how do I apply for my Permit?

Applying through the online portal with an email and credit card is the quickest way to obtain your permit – this method is strongly encouraged. If necessary, residents may attend in person, the second floor of City Hall at the Parking Services Counter. Please ensure you bring the following documentation when you visit City Hall.

• Proof of residency in St. Catharines
• Proof of vehicle ownership
• Photo ID

Additionally, you can ask a friend or family member to assist you in applying online.

I am a Port Dalhousie business located within the vicinity of the Lakeside Park lot, am I entitled to a parking permit?

Businesses in Port Dalhousie are entitled to two (2), $15 parking permits. Businesses must attend City Hall to apply and pay for their permit on the second-floor Parking Services counter. The permit only exempts the vehicle from payment and time restrictions that are in place the Lakeside Park parking lot. It does not exempt the vehicle from parking within any other metered parking area or for a period extending longer than the posted time limit.

Why has the City introduced the $15 charge for resident permits?

In 2021, the City introduced paid parking at City beaches to help offset the cost of required maintenance and improvements of beaches. Also in 2021, a free residential beach permit program was introduced, to ensure residents could easily access the beaches that were maintained through their taxes.

Upon reviewing the 2021 pilot permit program, it was revealed that significant resources were used to administer the program. Rather than depend on the tax levy, the decision was made to charge a minimal administrative fee, intended to cover the program’s costs solely by those who choose to purchase a permit.

Beach access is open to everyone. The cost of $15 per vehicle to park at beaches for residents. Non-residents, and those without permits, are subject to the below rates:
• Sunset Beach: $3 per hour, or $20 flat rate
• Lakeside Beach: $3 per hour with a three-hour maximum

What if I do not want to, or can’t afford, to pay for a permit or parking? What if I am an out-of-town visitor who wants to visit the beach for more than three hours?

Sunset Beach no longer has a three-hour time limit. Lakeside Park continues to have a three-hour time limit for those that do not have a residential Parking Permit.

Free offsite parking with no time limit is available near both Lakeside Park beach and Sunset Beach. These spaces are first come, first serve, and visitors can utilize active transportation connections to access beaches from these lots. Maps of offsite parking and trail connections can be found above.

Alternatively, visitors can use public transit to access beaches.