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Downtown Parking System

Download the mobile app today!

iOS (App Store) |  Android

Visit the Flowbird Parking App for detailed directions on how to use the app.

Click on the link to access the desktop version of the Flowbird App (Desktop).


Note: When registering account and entering plate number leave out the dash as it is recognized by the enforcement vehicles as a character and will result in a parking violation.


Prepaid Parking Cards

These prepaid and reloadable cards can be used at any downtown parking kiosk.


Where can you get one?

Purchase on the main floor of City Hall at the Cashiers. 




How Do I Use the Machines?

After parking in one of the over 1900 downtown parking stalls, drivers will walk to any kiosk and follow the instructions for payment. There is also the convenient option of paying for and monitoring parking time through a smartphone app. 

Need a little more help?

For help with technical issues please contact Flowbird support via email or by phone using the Flowbird Parking App  

 


Still need some help?

Call 311 or (403) 315-3154.


Parking Zones 

Download Map

 

Need more information? 

See our frequently asked questions below or call 311 (if outside of Lethbridge call 403-320-3111) 


 Not what you're looking for? Go back to the main Parking page here.

 

Frequently Asked Questions 

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Accordion Answer
 
  
Yes
1

​This system uses on-street parking payment kiosks or the Flowbird  Parking Mobile app to verify payment associated to your plate number. 

Enforcement officers use plate recognition software to identify parking violations in the downtown. 

 
  
Yes
2

Follow these simple steps:

  1. Select the zone you are parked in (there will be signs on the street).
  2. Enter your plate number.
  3. Choose how long you would like to park for. 
  4. Pay using coin, credit card or a prepaid parking card.
  5. Hit confirm to complete your transaction.
You don't need to return to your car with a receipt and you can pay for your parking at any kiosk, not just the one closest to your vehicle. 
 
  
Yes
2

​The name of the downtown parking app is Flowbird Parking. To get started download the App, create an account, add in license plate numbers and enter credit card details to keep on file for purchases. To pay for a parking session simply select the zone you wish to park in, select amount of time you need and confirm your purchase. 

Note: When entering your license plate in the APP, leave out the dash symbol. A dash symbol is viewed as an extra character in the APP and can result in a parking violation.  

By following the easy directions within the app, you can pay for and monitor your parking time.

Download Flowbird Parking App for free: 

iSO (App Store) 

Android

The app developer does charge a $.10 convenience fee for transactions made using the app. 

 
  
Yes
2

​For those who don't own a credit card or don't want to use a credit card to pay for parking, the prepaid parking card can be used as an alternative to carrying cash.

These prepaid and reloadable cards can be used at any downtown parking kiosk.  Parking cards can be purchased at City Hall and loaded with any dollar amount. When that money is used up, the card owner can return to City Hall to reload it. There is a one-time purchase fee of $5 for a parking card but no additional fees to reload the card.

Parking card users have access to an online portal to view their card balance and previous transactions.

 
  
Yes
3

At the parking kiosks you can pay with coins, prepaid parking cards, Visa or MasterCard.

If you are using the Flowbird Parking app you can pay with a Visa or MasterCard.

 
  
Yes
3

​The kiosks go into sleep mode to conserve energy. Just press any button to wake up the machine and start your transaction. 

 
  
Yes
4

​Each street/area has signs stating the zone number. Be sure to look for this sign before heading to the kiosk. If you pay at the kiosk closest to where you parked, the opening screen will say what zone you are in. 

​There are three zones in the downtown each with a different maximum parking time allowed. These zones help ensure there is parking turnover in areas that have high visitor and customer traffic.

  • Zone 002 maximum of 2hr parking 
  • Zone 003 maximum of 3hr parking 
  • Zone 010 maximum of 10 hr parking 

Zone Map

 
  
Yes
5

​A maximum time limit is established in each zone to facilitate turnover. You can make up to two maximum purchase in each zone/day but you cannot make your second purchase until after your first has expired. After your two max purchases have been reached, you must move your vehicle to a new zone.

 
  
Yes
5
  • Add additional parking time up to the maximum time allowable in your zone.
  • Have notifications sent to you letting you know your parking time is about to expire.
  • Register multiple license plates to an account if you have more than one vehicle.
  • Download transaction receipts for purchases.
  • Pay for monthly parking (30 calendar days starting with the date of purchase).


 
  
Yes
6

​For parking in Zone 2 (2hr max) or Zone 3 (3hr max) the rate is $1.00 per hour. If you are paying by coin, the minimum is $0.05 for 3 minutes.

For parking in Zone 10 the rate is $0.45 per hour with a minimum 4 hour purchase. In this case, you would need a minimum $1.80. 

 
  
Yes
6

​No, you do not need to put the receipt on your dash. License plate numbers are used to determine who's paid. Please ensure to input your license plate number correctly.

 
  
Yes
7

​Yes. This can be done at the parking kiosk or with the mobile app. 

At the kiosk: 

  1. Select Zone 10
  2. Select monthly parking
  3. Enter your plate number 
  4. Pay using your credit card
On the app: 
  1. Press Zone Code in top bar
  2. Select Location (City of Lethbridge) and Type #6440 in Zone Code Section
  3. Follow the prompts to complete purchase 


 
  
Yes
7

​Yes, evenings and weekends are free and the kiosks will not accept payments during those hours. No more accidently plugging the meter when you didn't have to. 

 
  
Yes
7

Historically, we have not experienced more demand than supply of 10 hour spots. However, the spot closest to your destination may not always be available. We do monitor this on a regular basis and with 600 10 hour spots currently in the downtown, we only have 250 spots purchase through the monthly parking plan. Our new system will give us good data that we can use to monitor the usage of 10 hour parking.

 
  
Yes
8

The accessible stalls will continue to have individual parking meters at each location as they do today. The meters will continue to be the same one in use now (limited capabilities) however, if a person wished to use the new system to pay for parking they could do that instead of plugging the meter. It is up to the customer. The enforcement agent will check both before issuing any tickets.

 
  
Yes
9

​Yes, because of processing fees there is a minimum purchase of $1.80 if using your credit card. This may mean you have to add more than the minimum time in some zones so that the total is over the $1.80 charge. This is to cover the service charges incurred in offering the credit card option. 

 
  
Yes
9

​At the kiosk you can purchase as little as 15 min of parking with your prepaid parking card. When using the mobile app, you must purchase a minimum of $1.80 worth of parking. 

 
  
Yes
10

Sorry, the machines are not set up to accept debit cards at this time.

 
  
Yes
11

​License plate numbers identify who has paid and who has not.

 
  
Yes
12

​If it is the same Zone and you have time remaining you can simply move your vehicle. If it is in another Zone you will need to pay for the time you need in that Zone. 

 
  
Yes
13

​No, you can only park in the Zone you have paid for.

 
  
Yes
14

​They will be removed and handled in accordance with City policies. This could include a combination of recycling and selling of old meters. Don't worry, we'll save one for the Galt Museum and Archives as a little piece of our city's history. 

 
  
Yes
15

​There will be 2 to 3 kiosks on angle parking blocks and at least 1 on parallel parking blocks. There are a total of 170 kiosks in the downtown core. They are bright yellow, you can't miss them. 

 
  
Yes
15

​The revenue from parking supports parking operations. Any additional funds go into the parking reserve that can help fund other parking initiatives.

 
  
Yes
16

The new parking technology is standardizing the paid parking in the entire downtown. This makes is fair and equitable for all businesses. 

 
  
Yes
17

Yes. There is no fee for Library customers to park in the Library parking lot.

 
  
Yes
18

​There are many options with the new system for employers to pay for staff parking. It can be purchased at the kiosk which includes hourly and monthly options. It can also be purchased through the Flowbird Parking app. This option allows you to register multiple vehicles and even use different credit cards to pay for daily parking. 

 
  
Yes
19

​This is to encourage the intended use of these spaces - long-term parking in the downtown. The goal of having different zones is to help accommodate the many different needs in the downtown core from daily, employee parking to quicker customer parking. For those planning to only stay in the downtown for a short amount of time, the two and three hour zones, with no minimum requirements are recommended.