Parking lot monitoring and permitting system

An automated parking system for a parking facility and a valet/check-in area located remote from the parking facility, the parking facility comprising an entrance and an exit, the automated parking system comprising:

• a first camera disposed adjacent to the entrance of the parking facility;
• a second camera disposed adjacent to the exit of the parking facility;
• a third camera disposed in or adjacent to the valet/check-in area;
• and
• a central computer located remote from the parking facility and the valet/check-in area, the central computer networked with the first camera, the second camera and the third camera,
• wherein the first camera is configured to read a vehicle identification of a vehicle entering the parking facility and transmit the vehicle identification of the vehicle entering the parking facility to the central computer,
• wherein the second camera is configured to read a vehicle identification of a vehicle exiting the parking facility and transmit the vehicle identification of the vehicle exiting the parking facility to the central computer, and
• wherein the third camera is configured to read a vehicle identification of a vehicle passing through the valet/check-in area and transmit the vehicle identification of the vehicle passing through the valet/check-in area to the central computer.