10 Things High-Performing Properties Do Differently With Parking
Parking is one of the most overlooked parts of a property’s operation. It’s often treated as background infrastructure - important only when something goes wrong. But across high-performing properties, parking is handled very differently.
The difference isn’t about charging more or enforcing harder. It’s about intention, visibility, and treating parking like the asset it actually is.
Here are ten things high-performing properties consistently do differently.
1. They treat parking as an asset, not an amenity
Top-performing properties don’t see parking as a cost of doing business. They see it as a controllable asset that affects revenue, experience, and property value. That mindset shift alone changes how decisions get made.
2. They prioritize visibility over guesswork
High-performing properties know what’s happening in their parking operation in real time. They don’t rely on assumptions, anecdotes, or end-of-month reports. Visibility allows them to respond early instead of reacting late.
3. They understand why revenue changes - not just that it does
Instead of asking “Did revenue go up or down?” they ask “Why did it change?” They can connect performance shifts to demand, behavior, pricing, or policy changes. That understanding is what enables consistent improvement.
4. They price based on value, not uniformity
Not all parking spaces are equal, and high-performing properties don’t pretend they are. Premium locations, convenience, and proximity are priced accordingly, while lower-demand spaces remain accessible. This captures value without blanket rate increases.
5. They design parking around real users
Successful properties know who their parking is for: tenants, customers, guests, or employees. Their systems are built to favor those users - not outside traffic or unintended use that quietly erodes access and experience.
6. They make enforcement predictable and fair
Enforcement isn’t treated as a necessary evil. It’s structured, consistent, and aligned with clear rules. Predictability reduces conflict, improves compliance, and protects the integrity of the operation.
7. They reduce friction instead of adding it
High-performing properties remove unnecessary steps for both customers and staff. Less manual work. Fewer edge cases. Simpler rules. When parking feels easy, complaints drop and adoption improves.
8. They unify systems instead of stitching them together
Rather than juggling disconnected tools for payments, enforcement, validation, and reporting, these properties operate from a single, connected system. That integration is what enables clarity at both the property and portfolio level.
9. They address issues before complaints escalate
Parking problems rarely appear overnight. High-performing properties identify issues early through data and trends, not through frustrated emails or bad reviews. Proactive management prevents small issues from becoming reputational ones.
10. They review parking like any other performance driver
Parking performance is discussed alongside other operational metrics, not as an afterthought. When it’s reviewed regularly, optimized intentionally, and measured consistently, it becomes a predictable contributor instead of a wildcard.
The takeaway
High-performing properties don’t have “perfect” parking. They have intentional parking.
When parking is managed with the same discipline as the rest of the property, it stops being a source of friction and starts becoming a source of clarity, control, and return.
Parking hasn’t changed overnight, but the properties that treat it differently are seeing very different results.
If you’re curious how parking could work across your assets without adding complexity, I’d love to connect.
