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Rate Limiting

To ensure fair API usage and protect system performance, the Riyadh Parking API enforces rate limits. Understanding and managing these limits is essential for maintaining a stable and reliable integration.
Rate limits help prevent excessive API requests, ensuring a fair distribution of resources among users.

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1️⃣ Understanding Rate Limits

The API applies different rate limits depending on the endpoint and user role:
Request TypeLimit (Requests per Minute)
Authentication20
Site Management30
Visitor Permits50
Violations20
Ticket Validation40
If an application exceeds these limits, the API will return an HTTP 429 Too Many Requests response.

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2️⃣ Handling Rate Limits

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Check Remaining Request Quota

Every API response contains headers indicating the current usage: 
X-RateLimit-Limit: 50   # Total requests allowed per minute
X-RateLimit-Remaining: 10  # Remaining requests in the current window
X-RateLimit-Reset: 1672531200  # Time (UNIX) when the limit resets

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Handling 429 Errors Gracefully

✅ Implement retry logic with exponential backoff:
function fetchWithRetry(url, retries = 3, delay = 1000) {
  return fetch(url).then(response => {
    if (response.status === 429 && retries > 0) {
      const retryAfter = response.headers.get("Retry-After") || delay;
      return new Promise(resolve => 
        setTimeout(() => resolve(fetchWithRetry(url, retries - 1, delay * 2)), retryAfter * 1000)
      );
    }
    return response.json();
  });
}

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3️⃣ Best Practices for Rate Limit Optimization

  • ✅ Cache API responses: Reduce redundant requests by storing frequently accessed data.
  • ✅ Use pagination: When retrieving large datasets, request smaller chunks at a time.
  • ✅ Distribute requests: Spread API calls across different time intervals instead of sending them all at once.
For high-traffic applications, consider contacting support for custom rate limit adjustments.