Using Rate Tables on Permit Types and Events

A Rate Table lets you price parking by the time of week. Instead of one price for every hour, you build a weekly Monday–Sunday grid and place rate blocks on it, so different days and times can carry different metered or flat rates. Rate Tables work the same way on both Permit Types and Events.

• Price the way your lots actually run. Charge one rate for weekday daytime and another for evenings or weekends, all within a single parking option.
• One editor for permits and events. Permit Types and Events use the same pricing editor, so once you've built a Rate Table in one place, the other will feel familiar.
• See your whole week at a glance. The grid shows every rate block in one place, so gaps and changes are easy to spot.
• Build faster. Copy, paste to all days, undo/redo and zoom tools make it quick to set up and adjust a full week of pricing.
• Check before you save. A cost preview lets you estimate what parking would cost using your current, unsaved draft.

How it works

A Rate Table belongs to an individual parking option, whether that option sits on a Permit Type or on an Event. It is made up of one or more rate blocks. Each block covers a set of days and times and uses one of two rate types:

The rate blocks are applied to the time that parking covers.

Things to know before you build

• At least one valid rate block is required.
• Rate blocks can't overlap. If you try to save overlapping blocks, they will be rejected, so adjust the existing block first.
• Minimum and maximum charges apply to each rate block on its own. They are not a combined limit across a whole day or a whole permit.
• Time outside your rate blocks isn't charged. Parking that falls outside your configured blocks can result in $0 parking.
• Rate Tables can't be mixed with fixed pricing on the same parking option.
• Configured parking windows need an end date. This applies to windows you've set up. It doesn't mean every option needs fixed calendar dates in advance.
• A payment setting is required when you're charging parkers.
• Overnight blocks are supported, including blocks that run from Sunday into Monday.

Step-by-step guide

The Rate Table editor is the same for Permit Types and Events. The difference is how you get to it, so start with the section that matches what you're setting up, then continue to Build your rate blocks.

Open the Rate Table on a Permit Type

1. In the dashboard, open Permit Types and select your permit type.
2. Go to Overview → Parking → Edit.
3. Find the parking option you want to price and select Edit Pricing → Rate Table.
4. Continue to Build your rate blocks below.
5. When you're done, select Save Pricing, then save the Parking form.

Open the Rate Table on an existing Event

1. In the dashboard, go to Events → Event List and select your Event.
2. Open the Details tab.
3. In the Parking section, select Edit.
4. In the Pricing column for the parking option you want to price, select Edit Pricing → Rate Table.
5. Continue to Build your rate blocks below.
6. When you're done, select Save Pricing, then save the Parking form.

Open the Rate Table while creating an Event

1. Go to Events → Create Event.
2. Continue through the creation wizard until you reach the Parking step.
3. Under Parking Settings, find the parking option you want to price.
4. Select Edit Pricing → Rate Table.
5. Continue to Build your rate blocks below.
6. Select Save Pricing, complete the remaining wizard steps, then select Create Event.

Build your rate blocks

1. Select Add Rate Block.
2. Choose the rate type:
   • Metered: enter the amount, the number of minutes it applies to, and (optionally) a minimum and maximum charge.
   • Flat Rate: enter the fixed amount for the block.
3. Set the start and end days and times, or select Full 24 Hours to cover the whole day.
4. Save the block.
5. Repeat for each period you want to price differently.
6. Select Save Pricing, then save the Permit Type or Event Parking form you opened it from.

Edit or remove a rate block

Click any existing block on the grid to open it and make changes. To delete a block, select Remove Block inside its form.

Editing tools

These tools help you build and adjust your weekly grid quickly, on both Permit Types and Events.

A few shortcuts worth knowing:

• Copy mode stays on after you paste, so you can paste to several days in a row. Press Escape to exit copy mode.
• Undo is Cmd/Ctrl + Z and redo is Shift + Cmd/Ctrl + Z. These shortcuts don't run while you're typing in a form field.

Use cases

Different rates for different parts of the week

Set one metered block for weekday daytime hours and a separate block for evenings and weekends. Each block carries its own rate, all within one parking option.

A flat rate for a busy evening

Add a Flat Rate block for the hours your lot is busiest in the evening, so parkers pay one simple amount rather than a running meter.

Capping a busy period

On a metered block, set a maximum charge so a parker's cost for that block stops climbing once it reaches your limit. Remember the maximum applies to that block only.

Pricing parking across an Event

For an Event that runs across several days or into the evening, build blocks that match when parking is busiest, for example a higher rate during the main event hours and a lower one before and after. The price follows when the parker is parked, not when they registered.

No charge outside operating hours

Leave the hours you don't charge for empty. Parking that falls outside your rate blocks isn't charged.

FAQ

Can I use a Rate Table on both Permit Types and Events?

Yes. Both use the same pricing editor and the same rate block tools. The only difference is how you navigate to it, which is covered in the step-by-step guide above.

Can I use a Rate Table together with a fixed price?

No. A Rate Table can't be combined with fixed pricing on the same parking option.

Can I offer early-bird pricing for an Event with a Rate Table?

No. A Rate Table prices by when parking happens, not by how early someone registers, so it doesn't provide automatic early-bird or purchase-date pricing.

Does a Rate Table set the price of Event resources?

No. Event resource pricing is separate from the Rate Table on a parking option.

Why can't I edit pricing on an Event?

Editing an Event's parking requires the Manage Events permission. If you can view an Event but can't edit its parking, check that you have that permission.

Why won't my rate block save?

The most common reason is an overlap with another block on the same day. Rate blocks can't overlap, so shorten or move the existing block, then try again. Also check that any parking windows you've configured have an end date.

Do minimum and maximum charges apply to the whole day?

No. They apply to each rate block individually, not as a combined limit across a day or a permit.

What happens if parking falls outside my rate blocks?

Parking outside your configured blocks isn't charged and can result in $0 parking.

Does "Paste to all days" overwrite what I already have?

No. It skips any day where the pasted block would overlap an existing block and lets you know which days were skipped.

Can a rate block run overnight?

Yes. Overnight blocks are supported, including blocks that continue from Sunday into Monday.

Does saving pricing publish my Event?

No. Saving pricing on its own doesn't publish an Event. Save the Parking form and publish the Event using your usual steps.

Is the cost preview the exact price a parker will pay?

No, it's an estimate based on your current draft. Taxes, fees, proration, date/time schedules and guest time selection may change the final amount.

Can I undo a mistake while I'm building?

Yes. Use undo and redo (Cmd/Ctrl + Z and Shift + Cmd/Ctrl + Z) to reverse or reapply changes while the pricing editor is open.

Still stuck?

Reach out to the Offstreet support team from the Support link at the bottom of the dashboard and we will help you get your Rate Table set up.