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No one likes to get a parking ticket but chances are in some cases, you won’t be forced to pay.

There’s a difference between a ticket from the Calgary Parking Authority and a ticket from a private company.

When Calgarian Matt Hala parked in front of a registry office in a northeast strip mall, he didn’t notice a sign that said the spot was reserved for another business. When he went back to his vehicle he found a ticket on his windshield.

“I pulled the ticket out and took a look at it and automatically said ‘whoa’ – $45,” said Hala. “And there’s all these other charges such as late fee charges if I didn’t pay it.”

The parking stall belonged to Pinnacle Accounting, a business which set up the Crossroads Parking Authority to enforce the parking rules.

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“We’ve just gotten established in this space in the last couple of months,” said Pinnacle spokesperson Chris Burylo. “It’s becoming really challenging because our clients don’t have anywhere to park.”

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Reporter Tony Tighe (left) looks at a parking ticket Calgarian Matt Hala found on his windshield. Global News

The notice Hala received warned if he didn’t pay the fine it would increase to $95 and would be sent to a collection agency. Hala was worried that would hurt his credit rating.

But unlike a ticket from the Parking Authority or police, notices from a private parking company or property owner are not legally binding, according to lawyer Murray Harris.

“They have no authority under any legislation or bylaw imposed by the province or the city,” explains Harris. “They have a private contractual right before the courts.”

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He adds even though private companies could take someone who refused to pay the ticket to court, in most cases it wouldn’t be worth it because of the expense involved.

As for whether an unpaid ticket from a private company would affect a driver’s credit rating, the credit bureau won’t register a debt without a court judgement.

Other private parking companies include Impark, Sterling and Vinci Parking.