What SP+ Is and How to Use It
SP+ is a parking company that owns and operates parking lots and garages across the United States. When you park at an SP+ location, you are paying SP+ for that space — not a city, not a mall owner, but SP+ itself. The company manages everything from payment collection to enforcement of parking rules at that specific lot or garage.
You pay SP+ either when you arrive (at a pay station or booth), when you leave (at an exit gate), or sometimes in advance through their mobile app. The payment method depends on the lot. Some SP+ locations let you pay with cash, card, or phone; others are cashless only. If you park regularly at the same SP+ location, you may be able to set up a monthly pass or account instead of paying each time.
SP+ also issues parking citations — tickets — if you overstay your time, park in a reserved space, or break other lot rules. These are civil violations, not criminal charges, but they do create a debt you owe to SP+. Understanding how SP+ citations work and what your options are if you receive one is important before you park at their locations.
Key Takeaways
- SP+ is a private parking operator, so the lot rules and payment terms are set by SP+, not by the city or property owner.
- Payment methods vary by location — some accept cash and card, others are app-only or card-only, so check before you park.
- SP+ issues its own parking citations for violations like overstaying or parking in reserved spaces, and these are separate from city parking tickets.
- If you receive an SP+ citation, you can usually contest it in writing or pay it directly to SP+, depending on the location and the violation.
- Monthly passes and pre-paid accounts are often available at SP+ locations where people park regularly, which can save money over daily rates.
How to Pay at an SP+ Lot
The payment process depends on the type of lot. At a staffed garage or lot with a booth, you may hand cash or a card to an attendant. At an unstaffed lot, you will use a pay station — a kiosk where you enter your license plate, select your duration, and pay by card or mobile payment. Some SP+ locations now use app-based payment, where you enter your plate number into the SP+ app or a partner app, pay through the app, and the system tracks your time automatically.
Before you park, look for signage that tells you the payment method. If the lot is app-only and you do not have the app, you will not be able to pay and may receive a citation. read the app or ask an attendant which payment methods are accepted at that specific location. Rates vary widely — some SP+ lots charge a few dollars per hour, others charge a flat daily rate, and some charge by the minute.
If you park at the same SP+ location regularly, ask about monthly passes or validation programs. Many SP+ garages offer monthly permits that cost less per day than paying each visit. Some locations also offer validation through employers, hospitals, or retailers — you park, make a purchase or appointment, and get a discount or free parking validated by that business.
Understanding SP+ Parking Citations
An SP+ citation is a notice that you violated a parking rule at an SP+ lot. Common violations include staying past your paid time, parking in a space reserved for a specific use (handicap, loading, compact car only), parking in the wrong zone, or parking without paying at all. SP+ staff or automated systems monitor the lot and issue citations to vehicles that break these rules.
The citation will be placed on your windshield or mailed to the vehicle owner's address on file with the state. It will state the violation, the date and time, the lot location, and the amount owed. Unlike a city parking ticket, an SP+ citation is a debt to a private company, not a government fine. However, if you do not pay it, SP+ may report it to a collection agency, which can affect your credit.
SP+ citations are enforceable in most states, but the rules for contesting them vary. Some locations allow you to dispute the citation in writing by mail or through their website. Others require you to pay first and then request a refund if you believe the citation was issued in error. Check the citation itself for the dispute process and important date — usually you have 30 days to respond.
How to Contest or Pay an SP+ Citation
If you believe the citation was issued by mistake — for example, you paid but the system did not register it, or you parked in the correct space — you can contest it. Look at the citation for contact information. Most SP+ citations include a phone number, website, or mailing address where you can submit a dispute. You will usually need to provide your citation number, the date and location, and an explanation of why you believe the citation is wrong.
If you have proof that you paid (a receipt, a photo of the pay station showing your transaction, or a confirmation from the app), include that with your dispute. If the lot has cameras, you can also request footage. SP+ will review your dispute and either cancel the citation or uphold it. This process can take two to four weeks.
If you want to pay the citation instead of contesting it, you can usually pay online through the citation number, by phone, or by mail. Paying does not admit fault — it straightforward resolves the debt. Some SP+ locations offer a small discount if you pay within a certain number of days, so check the citation for that important date.
SP+ Monthly Passes and Recurring Parking
If you park at the same SP+ location five or more days a week, a monthly pass will almost always cost less than paying daily rates. Monthly passes are usually sold at the booth, through the SP+ website, or through the mobile app. The cost varies by location and demand — a downtown garage may charge $150 to $300 per month, while a suburban lot may charge $50 to $100.
To buy a monthly pass, you will need to provide your vehicle's license plate and payment information. The pass is usually tied to your plate, so the system recognizes your car when you enter and exit. Some passes are physical permits you hang on your mirror; others are digital and tracked by plate recognition.
Monthly passes typically renew automatically each month unless you cancel. If you cancel, make sure to do so before the renewal date so you are not charged for a month you do not use. Check the terms when you buy the pass — some SP+ locations allow you to pause a pass for a month or two if you know you will not be parking, while others require you to cancel and restart.
What Happens If You Do Not Pay an SP+ Citation
If you ignore an SP+ citation, SP+ will send you reminder notices. After 30 to 60 days of non-payment, SP+ may send the debt to a collection agency. The collection agency will contact you by phone, email, or mail asking you to pay. If you still do not pay, the collection agency may report the debt to credit bureaus, which will lower your credit score and make it harder to get loans, credit cards, or even rent an apartment.
In some cases, SP+ or the collection agency may pursue the debt in small claims court. If they win, a judgment is entered against you, and they can try to collect through wage garnishment or bank levies. This is rare for a single parking citation, but it is possible if the debt is large or you have multiple unpaid citations.
The best approach is to pay the citation or contest it within the important date shown on the notice. If you cannot pay in full, contact SP+ or the collection agency to ask about a payment plan. Many will work with you to set up monthly payments rather than demand the full amount at once.
SP+ and Your Vehicle Registration
SP+ does not have direct access to your vehicle registration or driver's license. However, if an SP+ citation goes unpaid and is sent to a collection agency, that agency may report it to the state's Department of Motor Vehicles in some states. This can result in a hold on your vehicle registration renewal — you will not be able to renew your tags until you pay the debt.
Additionally, some states allow parking companies to place a "boot" (a locking device) on your vehicle if you have multiple unpaid citations at the same lot. This is less common than collection agency reporting, but it does happen. The boot prevents you from driving the car until you pay the citations and a boot removal fee.
To avoid these complications, pay or contest citations promptly. If you have an old unpaid SP+ citation, contact the company or the collection agency to find out the current balance and set up a payment plan if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a refund if I paid for parking but still got a citation?
Yes, in most cases. If your payment did not register in the system, you can dispute the citation and provide proof of payment (receipt, app confirmation, or credit card statement). SP+ will review the evidence and cancel the citation if they confirm you paid. This usually takes two to four weeks.
What if I parked in what I thought was a regular space but it was reserved?
You can contest the citation if the signage was unclear or missing. Take photos of the space and the signage (or lack of it) and submit them with your dispute. If SP+ cannot prove the space was clearly marked as reserved, they may cancel the citation. If the signage was clear, the citation will likely stand.
Do SP+ citations show up on my driving record?
No. SP+ citations are civil violations, not traffic violations, so they do not appear on your driving record. However, if you do not pay and the debt goes to a collection agency, it will appear on your credit report and affect your credit score.
Can I dispute an SP+ citation if I paid late?
If you paid after your time expired but before you received the citation, you may be able to dispute it. However, if the citation was already issued before you paid, most SP+ locations will not cancel it. The citation is issued based on the lot's records at the time of the violation, not when you eventually pay.
How do I cancel a monthly SP+ pass?
Contact SP+ through the phone number or website on your pass or receipt. Provide your pass number and request cancellation. Make sure to cancel before the next renewal date so you are not charged again. Some locations allow cancellation online through your account; others require a phone call or email.