Parking Maintenance in CAM Reconciliation
Maintenance and operation of parking facilities including surface lots, parking structures, and underground garages. Covers sweeping, striping, lighting, repairs, revenue control equipment, and structural maintenance for garages.
Benchmarks per SF
Source: BOMA EER / IREM 2024
Typical GL Codes
Recoverable Components
- Sweeping and cleaning
- Line striping and signage
- Lighting maintenance
- Elevator/stairwell maintenance (parking structures)
- Revenue control equipment maintenance
- Minor surface repairs (patching, crack sealing)
Non-Recoverable Components
- Parking lot resurfacing (capital)
- Structural repairs to parking garages (capital)
- New parking construction
- Revenue control system installation (capital)
Allocation Method
Pro-rata by rentable square footage, or by allocated parking spaces if the lease specifies. In mixed-use properties, parking costs may be allocated based on the number of spaces assigned to each use (office, retail, residential). Not typically subject to gross-up unless parking staffing varies with occupancy.
Common Lease Language
“Operating Expenses shall include all costs of maintaining, repairing, cleaning, lighting, and operating the parking facilities serving the Building, including surface lots and structured parking.”
Common Billing Errors
- Including parking lot resurfacing or garage structural repairs as operating expenses
- Allocating parking costs to tenants without parking rights
- Netting parking revenue against expenses without lease authority (or failing to net when required)
- Charging tenants for parking areas reserved exclusively for other tenants
Year-over-Year Trends
Parking maintenance costs have increased moderately (3-5% annually). EV charging infrastructure is creating new cost allocation questions — is charger installation capital or operating? Is electricity for EV charging a common area utility or a tenant-specific cost? These questions are driving lease amendment activity.
Additional Context
Parking is increasingly complex as EV charging, ride-share staging areas, and autonomous vehicle drop-offs change how parking facilities are used. Landlords should address EV charging cost allocation in leases now to avoid disputes as adoption increases.
Related Resources
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