The Borough of Fort Lee has posted the rules and application process for its residential permit parking program on its website. Unregistered vehicles may park on designated streets for only up to 2 hours, and a permit costs $5 per vehicle and is valid for two years. The borough also outlines separate rules and fines that apply to visitors, businesses and commercial vehicles.
According to the borough's website, Fort Lee residents who do not register their vehicles with the Fort Lee Parking Authority are subject to the residential permit parking program's 2-hour limit and fines for violations. Permit parking is enforced on designated residential permit streets in the borough from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, excluding legal holidays. Registered vehicles may park for up to 48 hours. The borough said that, because of its proximity to New York City, it has a responsibility to secure parking spaces for residents, and that it operates separate off-street lots for non-residents such as commuters.
On Hudson Terrace and nearby roads, from north of Main Street to the Fort Lee border, and on the section of Lemoine Ave east of that area, only residents with registered vehicles and their visitors may park on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. Residents of Residential Parking Zone A must prove that they have no available off-street parking in order to register, and overnight on-street parking from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. is prohibited in this zone. Residents who registered before Zone A was created may continue to park on the street where they live. Large or modified vehicles, including limousines, pickup trucks and vehicles altered from the manufacturer's specifications, must be reviewed by the Parking Authority, and approval is not guaranteed.
Residential permits can be requested in person at the Parking Authority office with the required documents, or online. Required documents are a New Jersey driver's license showing a Fort Lee address (or two proofs of Fort Lee residency if the license does not show one), a valid vehicle registration, and three photos of the vehicle (driver's side, passenger side, and the rear showing the license plate). The registration fee is $5 per vehicle, with registration of two visitor vehicles per household included, and the permit is valid for two years from the date of issue. Online applicants can scan and send their documents and receive approval by email.
Households with a valid residential permit receive two visitor permits free of charge. Visitor permits are registered by license plate and are valid only within a one-block radius of the home, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays; they may not be used by relatives who park and commute elsewhere. Additional visitor permits can be purchased online for $1 per vehicle per day. Caregivers who work in the home are not considered visitors and need a caregiver permit at $20 per month. The traffic pass, used to get past police when the bridge is congested, cannot be issued online. It is included in the $5 registration fee, but it can be obtained only at the office by showing proof of vehicle registration.
Businesses and professionals can register at $10 per vehicle per day, and commercial vehicles are not eligible for residential permits. The ordinance allows commercial vehicles to park in permit zones for up to 8 hours, and anyone who needs emergency services must ask the Parking Authority for written approval. Parking without registration, or a visitor staying beyond 2 hours, results in a fine of up to $40 if a conviction is entered in municipal court. Vehicles left in a permit zone for 48 consecutive hours will be towed at the owner's expense. For inquiries, call the Parking Authority at 201-592-3500, ext. 1518.