Parking lot security cameras work best when you cover entrances, exits and the perimeter with overlapping views, mount them high enough to be out of reach, and light the area so the camera does not fight headlights or glare. To read licence plates, cameras must look at vehicles as square-on as possible, not down from a steep angle. Mixed light calls for cameras with wide dynamic range (WDR) and good low-light performance.
PCBy the Pixl Canada install team. Updated . 6 min read.
- Where cameras go in a lot
- Mounting heights and what they trade off
- Lighting, glare and plate capture
- Free written quote for wired CCTV
- Cover entrances, exits and the perimeter, and overlap fields of view to remove blind spots.
- Plate reading needs a square-on angle. Wide views and plate views are different cameras.
- Do not point a camera straight at a light. Use WDR and low-light sensors.
- These heights come from vendor guides. Confirm with your installer for your lot.
Where should parking lot security cameras go?
Put cameras where vehicles and people enter, leave and pause: entrances, exits, payment points, walkways and the perimeter. Overlapping fields of view prevent blind spots.
| Location | Camera job |
|---|---|
| Entrances and exits | Capture every vehicle and driver in and out. A plate-capture camera fits here. |
| Payment or ticket points | Close-up faces and disputes. |
| Walkways and stair doors | People moving between the lot and the building. |
| Perimeter and fence line | Wide views that catch anyone approaching. |
| Dark corners | Low-light cameras with infrared or white-light help. |
How high should parking lot cameras be mounted?
There is no single standard height. Vendor guides suggest roughly 15 to 20 feet for entrance and parking-area lights, and 10 to 15 feet for perimeter fixtures. A higher camera sees more of the scene, and a lower one captures faces and plates. Lower mounts are easier to vandalize, so a vandal-resistant dome helps. Do not mount so high that faces become hard to see.
| Height | Better for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| About 10 to 12 ft | Faces and plates with a wide-angle lens | Easier to reach and tamper with |
| About 15 to 20 ft | Covering a larger area from a pole or light standard | Fine detail drops with distance |
| Mixed heights | Wide view above, detail cameras below | More cameras and cabling |
How do you capture licence plates?
Plates need a square-on view. A camera looking down from a steep angle will not read them. Choose 1080p or 4K and a lens suited to the lane, and aim at vehicles where they slow or stop, such as the gate. Wide-view cameras and plate cameras do different jobs, so most lots use both.
How do you handle lighting and headlight glare?
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Headlights wash out the picture | Cameras with wide dynamic range (WDR) balance bright and dark. |
| Camera points at a light | Aim away from light sources. |
| Dim areas | Low-light sensors, and infrared or white light triggered by motion. |
| Constant light annoys neighbours | Schedule supplemental light to turn on only when motion is detected. |
For recommended lighting levels, check your local codes and Illuminating Engineering Society guidance. Planning a full system? See commercial camera installation cost and commercial CCTV installation. Wired CCTV quotes are free, and you pay after the job.
Parking lot security cameras: frequently asked questions
Where should security cameras go in a parking lot?
At entrances, exits, payment points, walkways and the perimeter, with overlapping views.
How high should parking lot cameras be?
Vendor guides suggest about 10 to 20 feet depending on the job, high enough to be out of reach but low enough to see faces and plates.
Can parking lot cameras read licence plates?
Yes, with a camera aimed square-on at vehicles at a slow or stopped point, and enough resolution.
Do parking lot cameras work at night?
Yes, with good low-light sensors, infrared or white-light help, and lighting that does not point into the lens.
Do I need permission to record a parking lot?
Rules depend on the province and who owns the lot. See our guide to security camera laws in Canada and ask a lawyer for your case.
Does Pixl install parking lot cameras?
Send photos of the lot to (587) 899-7495 and we tell you what is possible. Wired CCTV quotes are free.
Get a written quote for your lot
Send photos and the address. Wired CCTV quotes are free, and you pay after the job.
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Sources and method. Heights, glare and plate-capture points come from vendor and installer guides such as Sirix Monitoring and FS.com. They are general guidance, not a standard. Confirm with your installer and local codes.
About Pixl Canada. Pixl Canada is an installation company based in Edmonton, Alberta, serving cities across Canada with TV mounting, security cameras, appliance installation and smart home setup. Call or text (587) 899-7495. Open Monday to Saturday 8am to 8pm and Sunday 9am to 7pm.