Short North Parking Information
Thanks for booking one of our listings in the popular "Short North" neighborhood of Columbus. One of the challenges that comes with being in a fun and walkable downtown neighborhood is parking! The city's system for street parking is complicated, so we've prepared the FAQ below.
NOTE: The city just changed the parking system in 2023 and some of our PDF arrival guides may be outdated (as far as how the street parking works). The information on this page is the most up-to-date.
Basic Info
If you will need to park vehicles overnight on the street, send us your license plate information (plate number AND state) by 1 pm on your arrival day. There is a cost of $3/night for street parking. We will pay the city for this and collect it back from you.
If you made your reservation through a booking platform (like Airbnb or VRBO), please provide your license plate information in the Airbnb or VRBO messages.
If you did NOT book using Airbnb or VRBO, then please send your license plate information via text message to 614-654-3000.
Where do we park?
Your permits will be valid for parking anywhere in the "zone" where you will be staying. This includes the street directly in front of the building as well as a few blocks in most directions. Scroll down to the bottom of this page for the zone map.
The parking street signs are complicated - the important part is at the bottom, where it will say "Permit SNA Exempt" (or SNB, SNC, SND, or SNE based on the zone where you're staying).
If you're not familiar with city parking - it can be tricky! Please check the signs carefully and be sure you are NOT in a "no stopping" area. Don't block any fire hydrants, garage doors, or driveways. You can also get ticketed for having a vehicle facing the wrong direction (as we have learned from a guest that got a ticket).
How do we pay?
We will send you a payment request for your parking, which you will need to approve. The cost is $3 per 24-hour parking session. You will receive an email with a link to pay, or if you booked through Airbnb, you can approve it at: https://www.airbnb.com/resolutions.
What time will the parking be valid?
We will enter your license plate information into the city permit system and pay for your parking permits on the afternoon of your arrival, between 1-4 pm. The sessions are 24-hour passes, so the parking permits will be valid until somewhere between 1-4pm on your departure day.
What if we can't provide plate info by 1 pm on arrival day?
We ask for your plate information by 1 pm on your arrival day so we have ample time to save it in the permit system before you arrive. After business hours, we will try to watch for messages and respond quickly, but please allow us up to two hours to save your plate information. If you are arriving after business hours and have not provided plate information in advance, you may want to use the hourly self-pay option (below) for the first two hours.
If you are renting a vehicle, please let us know in advance what time you should have the plate information, and we'll make sure someone is on standby.
Can we pay for our own parking?
Yes, but only for parking sessions up to 3 hours at a time and only during daytime hours. After 10 pm, you must have a 24-hour visitor pass purchased by a residential permit holder. The daily session is usually the better option for anyone visiting for more than 2-3 hours.
How does the city know that we have a permit?
There is no physical parking pass to put on your vehicle. The city has parking enforcement cars with cameras that drive around and scan license plates. They can write tickets quickly!
I've stayed here before - what happened to the daily codes?
The city changed the permit system in June 2023 and has eliminated the daily parking codes. Permit holders are now required to pay for the 24-hour parking sessions for their guests.
About StayInColumbus.com
StayInColumbus is a local small business that provides support services for owners of short-term rentals, including guest services, maintenance, and housekeeping coordination. Learn more about us or book your next trip at stayincolumbus.com.
