You’ve got your San Diego Comic-Con badge (maybe – and if not, remember that Open Registration will be “early-to-mid April” – so still plenty of time to get your badge and still register for parking), you’ve got your sights set on a hotel (or maybe you already booked one) – but what about parking?

It’s a crucial piece of the puzzle for many attendees – although Comic-Con International offers a free shuttle to area hotels, and the city has the trolley and other public transportation options, the ability to have your own car in the vicinity, especially if you’re local, is crucial.

Ace Parking announced today that just like last year, parking lot assignments this year will utilize a lottery based system – and the lottery registration period is now open.

In order to be register, all you need to do is fill out this form (one entry per e-mail address) between now and April 24. After that, a random drawing will be done to select the winners, who will then be divided into six groups. Although in previous years attendees have sent an e-mail rather than fill out a form, the rest of the process is virtually the same.

The first group will be allowed to purchase their parking space beginning May 1 (and will have a week to purchase), with each subsequent group getting a chance to purchase the following week. At the end of the six week period, the system will be opened to the general public. Last year, parking did not sell out before it went on sale to the general public – so if you aren’t selected, don’t fear.

No word yet on which lots will be available in the sale, but last year’s lots included the Hilton Bayfront, Convention Center, 707 Broadway, Padres Parkade, Diamond View Tower, Gaslamp City Square, Horton Plaza, Tailgate Park 1046, 701 B Street, MTS, The Brick Complex, 10 West Ash, and more. We’ll update as we get more information.

Ace answered some common questions about how the lottery will be run:

Q: Does the on-line system require me to set up an account to purchase my permits?
A: Yes. You will need to setup an account during the checkout process. Your account will enable system features such as the ability to print your permit in the future, and tie all purchased permits to a single barcode that you can carry on your smart device for use at scanner equipped lots. Your account will be available for future purchases for parking at next year’s Comic-Con and other events with the same barcode assigned to you which will be replenished with future permit purchases as they are made.

Q: Will the system allow me to purchase multiple permits per day?
A: No. Each account is restricted to one permit per day for Comic-Con. If you need to purchase more than one permit, you will need to setup multiple accounts.

Q: Is there a way to purchase Comic-Con permits other than online?
A: The only way you can purchase advance parking permits for Comic-Con from Ace Parking is through the online system. However, the majority of the lots included in the online sale and others that are not included will be available for drive-up parking the day of the event. Drive up availability will be first come, first served for the remaining spaces not reserved online. The lots are expected to fill up fast. If you are planning to find parking the day of the event, you should get there early.

Q: If I send in multiple entries from multiple email accounts that I own and win one of them, can I purchase my permit with any of the emails I registered with or only the one that won?
A: Only the one that won. Your winning email address must be registered in the account you are going to use to purchase the permits. The purchase process will require you to log into your account first and will validate your email address. If your email address matches one on the selected list, you will be given the option to purchase a permit at the lot your name was drawn for. If there is no match, the option to purchase a permit will not be available to you.

Q: Can I register for the drawing with an email address that I haven’t registered an account within the permit system?
A: Yes. Accounts in the permit system are separate from the registration emails. If one of the email accounts you entered from is selected to purchase a permit, you have the option to create an account for that email address or update your existing account with that email address to qualify for the purchase option.

You can find more information on Ace Parking’s website.

What do you think of Ace Parking’s new system? Let us know in the comments.