Gaithersburg to launch new permit-parking system July 1; residents must register, $25 per permit

City officials demonstrated the new online residential parking permit system June 2 and told the mayor and council the program will take effect July 1, with a public launch of the registration portal a few weeks earlier so residents can apply and upload documentation.

The demonstration matters because the program affects residents in permit zones, defines how visitor parking will be handled, and standardizes permit issuance across about 330 addresses in the city.

Tom Lonergan Seeger, a city staff member overseeing implementation, told the council: "We are 28 days from the effective date of the city's new permit parking program, beginning July 1." Registration requires a user account, proof of residency and a digital vehicle registration. The city will allow two residential permits per household at $25 per permit per year; city staff said the maximum per household is $50 if two vehicles are permitted.

Program staff demonstrated three workflows: applying for a residential permit, obtaining visitor permits, and transferring a permit to another vehicle. Visitor permits are free, valid for three days, and each visiting vehicle may receive up to 30 three-day visitor passes per year. Staff said transfers and updates (for example, when a resident replaces plates or changes vehicles) are done in the account and take effect immediately; staff will contact applicants if there is an issue.

On payment and authentication, the online system currently accepts direct card entry only; Brian Helms said there is no Apple Pay, Google Pay or federated login option and that the city can submit an enhancement request to the vendor for those features. Helms also stated, "Your fee will be $25 per vehicle per year." The city noted that a second, address-specific letter will be mailed to each eligible address containing a QR code to simplify registration and payment.

Staff said about 330 addresses are within the permit zones; roughly 90 residents previously held permits. The city will install signage, publish web updates and send tailored letters to the 330 eligible addresses. Implementation support named city IT staff Meghna Charla, finance staff Ashinafi Orega, Police Department staff Pete Ladisi and vendor Planet of Code's Gretchen Wyrick as key contributors. Councilmembers asked about visitor parking, payment options and ADU/addressing rules; staff responded that visitor permits require an existing residential permit and that permitting is handled per full address (separate addresses, such as an ADU with its own postal address, get a distinct permit capacity).

No council vote was recorded; staff requested and received general council feedback and will proceed with the public launch and outreach.