Where to Park in Jersey City

Parking in downtown Jersey City requires some effort, but certainly is not impossible.

Below are a few tips for a range of budgets and levels of convenience:

A commuter lot on Montgomery St for the M-F crowd

Commercial Parking Lot or Garage ($100-$350/month) There are plenty of commercial parking lots and garages around downtown Jersey City, but be prepared to shell out anywhere from $100/month for an outdoor spot to $300-$350/month for a covered spot in a garage. Also ask about discounts for residents, especially if the garage is in your building.  The Newport Mall parking lot (Denison Parking) offers a discounted rate to residents of Hamilton Park, so remember to inquire.

ParkFast lot on Montgomery Street and Marin Blvd has overnight rates

Overnight Parking at a Commercial Parking Lot or Garage ($90/month) You may be able to save a few bucks if you drive to work Monday through Friday and only need a nightly/weekend spot. For example, the ParkFast parking lot pictured here on Montgomery Street and Marin Blvd has a reasonable $90/month option but you have to be out before the work crowd in the morning and can't come back until after 4pm on weekdays.

Private Driveway or Garage ($100-200/month)
You may be able to rent out a space from a lucky neighbor who does have one. The cost can be more reasonable and even closer to your home than a commercial lot.  Check for signs posted around where you live and on Craigslist.

Example and explanation of a typical Jersey City parking sign

Street Parking ($15/year)
By far, the most affordable option.  But be prepared to do a lot of parallel parking!

It may be a no-brainer but the signs seemed kind of confusing to me, so a quick guide to how to read a Jersey City parking sign is pictured on the left.

If you go this route you will need to make a trip to the Jersey City Parking Authority at 394 Central Ave (between 8am and 6pm Monday through Friday) to obtain a resident permit sticker.

Be prepared to show ample proof of your residency, including a drivers license and vehicle registration with your current address. They will give you an annual sticker for your car and then you can park for more than 2 hours in your designated zone.

There is a very nice graphical map over at New York's Sixth from 2007: Jersey City Parking Zone Map.

If you make the trip to the Parking Authority you can also get visitor passes for $3/each to allow your guests to park in your zone for the day.

With street parking expect to circle at least few minutes every time you park and remember to move your car twice a week for street cleaning or possibly more often due to snow emergencies or temporary "no parking" postings.  Always check the signs!