Note: This article is for the newly re-designed module. This updated module is in the process of being rolled out and may only be available to some users.

Overview

The Parking permits module will enable you to create, issue, manage, and track custom parking permits and parking permit areas for your property. Additionally, this module can be set to internal only, so only staff can issue permits, or you can allow residents to view this module and even issue permits themselves.

Note: Click on the images to enlarge them. 

Table of Contents

• Parking Permits Settings
• Permit Parking Areas Setup
• Issuing a Parking Permit
• Viewing/Reprinting Parking Permits
• Terminating/Voiding Parking Permits

Parking Permits Settings

To access Parking Permits, click on Manage and select Parking management. Click on Settings and select Permit type setup. Click Add permit type.

Note: If you do not see either the options for Parking management or Parking permits and would like to access these features, please contact support@buildinglink.com for assistance.

On the Permit definition page, you will create your permit type and set up any rules specific to it. Once you've set up the permit to your liking, click Add permit type.  

An overview of the setup categories is as follows:

• Permit Definition
  • Permit type name: Defines the name of your parking permit.
  • Permit type status: Defines whether your permit is Active or Inactive.
  • Display these instructions on how this permit type is expected to be used: A text box, which allows you to provide any instructions associated with the permit type and its usage.
  • Default parking area assigned to this permit type: Defines which default parking area this permit type will be assigned to.
  • Allow default parking area to be overridden by staff: Enabling this option will allow staff to change the default parking area assigned for this permit. Disabling this option will prevent staff from changing the default parking area assigned for this permit. 
  • Permit ID counting: Determines the next Permit ID number to be auto-assigned. You can also toggle between the options of using the current counter or a separate counter by clicking on either option. Note: By default, Permit ID numbers are auto-assigned in consecutive order.
  • ID number to start separate counter: Defines the number that all future ID numbers will start auto-assigning from.

• Issuing Authority
  • Allow residents issue and print permits of this type: Defines whether residents can issue and print this specific permit type.
  • Authority for residents and building staff to issue permits for registered license plates: Defines what permissions residents and staff have to issue permits for registered license plates.
• Default permit start/expiration times
  • Default start time: Defines the default start time for this permit type.
  • Allow residents and building staff to override default start time: Enabling this option will allow either residents or staff to override the default start time. Disabling this option will prevent residents or staff from overriding the default start time.
  • Default expiration time: Defines the default expiration time for this permit type.
  • Allow building staff to override default expiration time: Enabling this option will allow staff to override this permit's default expiration time. Disabling this option will prevent staff from overriding this permit's default expiration time.

• Permit allocation limits and fees
  • Permits allocated per unit: Defines whether limited or unlimited permits can be issued for this permit type per unit.
  • When a unit's allocation limit is reached: Defines what additional action can be taken once a unit's permit allocation limit is met.
  • Counting of multi-day permits for allocation: Determines the count logic for this permit type's multi-day allocation.
    • Example: A permit issued any time on Monday ending any time on Tuesday:
      • Count Each Day as One = 2 permits
      • Count Each Night as One = 1 permit
  • Limit concurrently active permits: Enabling this option will limit multiple active permits to a specific number (e.g., you have a limited number of guest parking spaces). Disabling this option will prevent multiple active permits from being limited.
  • Assign a fee to allocated permits: Enabling this option will allow a fee to be associated with allocated permits. Disabling this option will prevent fees from being associated with allocated permits.

• Printed permit format
  • Title to appear on printed permit: Defines what title will appear on the printed permit type.
  • Fields to include on printed permits: Defines what fields will appear on the printed permit type.
  • Footer text: Defines what footer text will appear on the printed permit type.

Permit Parking Areas Setup

If you have one or multiple parking areas available, you can add them as separate areas by going to Manage, selecting Parking management, clicking Settings, and selecting Permit parking areas setup. To add a new parking area, click Add parking area, and add the area name in the text field. Once that's completed, click Add parking area.

Issuing a Parking Permit

To issue a new permit, go to Manage, select Parking management, and click Issue permit.

Note: A new permit can only be issued for an existing permit type. To create a permit type, please look at the Permit Type Setup section.

Next, enter the unit number to which the permit will be issued and select the appropriate permit type under Permit Type. For each permit type, you will also be able to view the number of remaining permit allocations for the selected unit. If you want to view a history of any past permits of the selected type issued for the unit, click view history.

For the remaining fields, enter any applicable information for the permit recipient, which can include the following:

• Start time (if Allow residents and building staff to override default start time is enabled)
• Expiration time (if Allow building staff to override default expiration time is enabled)
• Parking permit area
• License plate number
• State/province
• Color
• Make
• Model
• Contact name
• Contact phone
• Notes
• Print layout

Note: To quickly reissue a parking permit for the same person/vehicle, enter the license plate number and select search plate history. Click Copy data to populate the vehicle info listed on the prior permit onto the new permit.

When you are satisfied with your permit, click Create permit (if you don't need a printed copy) or Create and print permit (if you want to create and print the permit).

Viewing/Reprinting Parking Permits

To view current or past permits or to print/reprint issued permits, go to Manage and select Parking management. To print a permit, click on the printer icon beside the permit record.

You can use the following filters to search for the information:

1. Search unit or name
2. Search license plate
3. Status
4. Permit type
5. Fee status
6. Show notes
7. mm/dd/yyyy-mm/dd/yyyy

Terminating/Voiding Parking Permits

To terminate or void a permit, go to Manage, select Parking management, and click the permit record, then click either Void or Terminate.

For both options, a secondary confirmation window will appear to finalize either the voiding or terminating of the permit. Click on either Void permit or Terminate permit to complete the action.