Parking

Parking Map

The following link (pay station icon below) will show all on street and off street parking regulations. Simply click on the link to find the hours of operation and restrictions.

Pay Station Icon


Contact Information
 
Much of the parking within the downtown is a joint effort of the Police Department’s Traffic and Records Bureaus. The contact information below should be used based on your topic.
 
Defective Pay Stations & Meters
Police Desk 908-272-2222
 
Permit Questions
Records Bureau 908-709-7350 or 908-709-7348
 
Summons – Court Date
Court 908-709-7242
 
Summons Payment
Payment can be made in person at the municipal court.
 
Meter Rates/Parking Locations
Traffic Bureau 908-709-7334, 908-709-7335, or 908-709-7336
 

Locations

The following link is for a map showing the locations of municipal parking lots and garage in the downtown. Parking Location Map (Adobe PDF Reader required). Additional information is listed below:


Lot #1Springfield Avenue & North Union Avenue3 Hour Pay Station / 9 Hour Permit / Overnight
Lot #2Cranford Crossing Parking Garage4 Hour Pay Station / 9 Hour Pay Station / 12 Hour Pay Station / 9 Hour Permit / 12 Hour Permit / 24 Hour Permit / Overnight
Lot #3Next to and behind Bar Americana Restaurant3 Hour Pay Station / 9 Hour Permit
Lot #4South Avenue Train Station12 Hour Permit
Lot #5Municipal Building1 Hour Time Limit
Lot #6High Street12 Hour Pay Station / 12 Hour Permit / Overnight
Lot #7Miln Street3 Hour Pay Station / 9 Hour Permit / Overnight
Lot #8PSE&G South Avenue12 Hour Permit – Residents Only with special permit
Lot #9Orange Avenue Pool 
Lot #10Centennial Avenue near Calabria Pizza3 Hour Time Limit
Lot #11Alden Street3 Hour Pay Station / 9 Hour Permit
Lot #12Library/Recreation Center Lot4 Hour Time Limit
Lot #14Centennial Avenue & Lincoln Avenue3 Hour Time Limit  / 9 Hour Permit
Lot #16Centennial Avenue Pool 
Warner PlazaNorth Avenue Train Station3 Hour Pay Station
Post Office PlazaNorth Avenue West1 1/2 Hour Pay Station
Eastman PlazaNorth Avenue at Clock1 1/2 Hour Pay Station
The cost for meter/pay station parking is $.25 per ½ hour. Parking meter enforcement is from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The only exceptions are the 12 hour parking lots 4, 6, and 8 as well as the parking garage which begin enforcement from 5:30 a.m. Parking is prohibited in all parking lots, garage, and streets in the business district between 2:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. without an overnight or 24 hour permit. Meters and Permits are not required on Sundays or Holidays.
 
Legal Holidays for 2024:
 
  • January 1, 2024: New Year’s Day
  • January 16, 2024: Martin Luther King Day
  • February 19, 2024: Presidents’ Day
  • May 27, 2024: Memorial Day
  • June 21, 2024: Juneteenth
  • July 4, 2024: Independence Day
  • September 2, 2024: Labor Day
  • October 14, 2024: Columbus Day
  • November 5, 2024: Election Day
  • November 11, 2024: Veterans’ Day
  • November 28, 2024: Thanksgiving Day
  • December 25, 2024: Christmas Day
Parking pay stations accept coins, $1, $5, $10, and $20 Bills and Credit Cards. Individual parking meters accept coins and tokens. Neither pay stations nor parking meters provide change or refunds.
 
On street parking meters are limited to 1 1/2 hour and municipal parking lots range from 3 to 12 hour limits.
 

Parking Permits

Parking permits are administered by the Police Community Support Services Division. Permits are offered for 9, 12, and 24 hour times. Overnight permits are also available for downtown residents. The following link can be used to obtain a Permit. Payments are made online by credit card.

12 Hour Permits: These permits are used in Lots 4 and 6 as well as the parking garage and on street locations at High Street, Chestnut Street, and South Avenue West. Permits are sold annually or semi-annually. The yearly cost is $610 ($310 for bi-annual) for residents and non-residents in lots, garage, and on the street.

9 Hour Permits: These permits are available for Lots 1, 3, 7, 11, 14, and the parking garage as well as on street locations at Eastman Street and Miln Street. Permits are sold annually or semi-annually. The yearly cost is $510 ($260 for bi-annual). *Reminder that 9-Hour Permit Holders can also use 9-Hour Meter spots for overflow in the Parking Garage only.

24 Hour Parking: These permits are available for the parking garage and Lot 6, allowing 24 hour use for an annual rate of $820 (12 hour permit and overnight parking permit combined).

Overnight Permits: These permits allow downtown residents to park in Lots 1 and 7 as well as Levels 2, 5 and 6 of the Parking Garage from 6 p.m. to 9 a.m. for an annual rate of $210.

12 Hour Permit$610 
9 Hour Permit$510
24 Hour Permit$820
Overnight Permit$210

Meter Parking

Meter parking is handled by the Police Traffic Bureau. Meter parking is offered in 1.5 , 3, 4, 9, and 12 hour limits. Check meters and pay stations for actual limits and enforcement times. Meter feeding is not allowed. A vehicle can not be parked in the same parking space for longer than the posted time limit. For example, a car parked at a 3 hour meter can not be at the same space for more than 3 hours. If longer term parking is needed you must utilize 9 or 12 hour meter spaces.
 
  • 1.5  Hour Meters: These meters are allocated to on street locations near stores for high turn over by shoppers.
  • 3 Hour Meters: These meters are allocated to municipal parking lots and off street locations. These spaces should be used by shoppers and visitors needing extra time for their visit.
  • 4 Hour Meters: These meters are allocated to the municipal parking garage. These spaces should be used by shoppers and visitors needing extra time for their visit.
  • 9 Hour Meters: Daily 9 Hour meter parking is available in the parking garage for 50 cents per hour or $4.50 daily. These spaces should be used by downtown employees.
  • 12 Hour Meters: Daily 12 Hour meter parking is available in Lot 6 as well as the parking garage for 50 cents per hour or $6 daily. These spaces are meant for commuters.

Residential Parking Permits

Certain streets are designated as “Residential Permit Parking Only”. These streets are marked with signs that restrict parking by time limit or alternate side. Residents on these streets may obtain a Residential Permit from the Records Division for no cost. The following link can be used to obtain a residential parking permit. These permits are only valid for the specific street the person lives on and can not be used in another residential zone.

Each home is also allowed to obtain a maximum of three visitor parking permit hang-tags. These visitor permits can be used up to seven consecutive days by a bonafide guest of the household.
 

Persons with Disability Placards and Plates
 
How to Obtain a Temporary Placard
  • Obtain an application from the Cranford Police Department Records Division or download the form from this link Temporary Placard Application.
  • You must have your doctor certify that you need the placard.
  • Return the completed application to the police department with a check or money order for $4 payable to Motor Vehicle Commission.
  • Upon payment and review/approval by the Police Chief, the police department will issue your temporary placard.
How to Obtain a Permanent Placard or Plates
How to Renew Your Placard
  • Temporary placards can only be renewed once for no more than six months.
  • Permanent placards must be renewed every three years.
  • You will be automatically mailed the renewal form for a permanent placard (If you do not receive your renewal form, contact an MVC Agency).
For additional information on Handicapped Placards and Permanent Plates visit the NJ Motor Vehicle Commission.
 

Last Updated: 6/20/22