Public vs. Private Parking: What’s the Difference?

The City of St. John’s is sharing the following information to help residents and visitors better understand how parking enforcement differs between public and private lots — particularly when it comes to immobilization (booting).

City of St. John’s Parking Enforcement

The City does not use booting as a form of parking enforcement. Instead, we enforce parking regulations through:

• Issuing parking fines.
• Towing vehicles in certain violation cases.

All City-managed parking spaces are regulated by on-street parking signage and City pay stations.

Private Parking Lot Enforcement

Some privately owned parking lots in the City may enforce their own parking rules by using vehicle immobilization (booting):

• Private operators have the legal right to manage parking on their property under the Highway Traffic Act.
• The City does not have the legal authority to regulate enforcement practices in private parking lots, including booting.

Because private lots often have different rules than City-managed spaces, it’s important to:

• Look for posted signage at the entrance and within the lot.
• Review all restrictions before parking.
• Be aware that evening and weekend restrictions may apply — many private lots require payment or permits during these times.

To avoid fines, towing, or immobilization, always check the signage before parking in any off-street lot.