Parking dispensations
- What is a dispensation?
- How much will it cost?
- Payment and receipts
- How do I apply?
- What happens next?
- Cancellations
What is a dispensation?
A dispensation is where a vehicle is given permission to park in a bay or on yellow lines during restricted hours without the need for the Council to put up notices. There is no need to display a notice in your vehicle as your parking will be validated by the Council's mobile phone parking system, RingGo.
Dispensations can be arranged for up to 14 days (including weekends) in:
- Marked bays
- Yellow lines
- Car parks.
They can also be arranged to allow for vehicles over 7.5 tonnes to park in a location covered by the Overnight Waiting Ban.
Dispensations cannot be arranged:
- Where a loading ban exists
- For parking on a footway or grass verge (unless parking is allowed by signs and markings).
Each dispensation applies at a single location, and if you need multiple locations (up to 3) then you will need to apply and pay for each separately.
How much will it cost?
Parking bays
For parking bays the charges are as follows:
| Item | Zone | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Administration fee | Any dispensation | £22.50 |
| Charge per vehicle/day | A1 and A2 Monday to Saturday 8:00am to 6:30pm |
£5.75 |
| A1 Sundays and Bank Holidays 11:00am to 5:00pm |
£2.50 | |
| B, C, CB, D, H, HM, M1, X, Z1, Z2, Z3, Z4, Z5 | £4.50 | |
| ES, F, G, KC, N, S, S1 | £3.50 | |
| B1, E, J, KA, KB, M, T | £1.15 |
Yellow lines
Dispensations to park on yellow lines are charged at £36.00 per vehicle per day, other than for weddings and funerals.
For a wedding or funeral a dispensation for up to 3 vehicles for 1 day may be granted free of charge, but only if there are no parking bays close to the property. If there are bays then these can be suspended, see the Parking suspensions page for more information.
Additional vehicles will be charged the standard rate.
Payment and receipts
Payment can only be made using a credit or debit card (excluding American Express and Diners' Card). You are not required to make payment until your dispensation has been authorised.
When you provide your card details you will be given a payment reference. Make a note of this in case there are any queries.
If you need a receipt then remember to ask for one when you provide your card details. Your receipt will be emailed to the address on your application form.
How do I apply?
You must give at least 7 working days notice of a dispensation.
To apply by email
Use the Application for a Parking Exemption form for email
(pdf, 490KB). Fill in the details and click 'Agree and Email Form'. You will need to follow the instructions in Adobe Reader.
If you have trouble with this form then you can print the Application for a Parking Exemption form for print(pdf, 31KB), fill it in, sign it, scan it and email to parkingsuspensions@richmond.gov.uk.
To apply by post or fax
Print the Application for a Parking Exemption form for print(pdf, 31KB). Fill it in, sign it and either fax to 020 8891 7798 or post to Parking Permits, PO Box 466, Twickenham TW1 9JT.
What happens next?
The Council's parking contractor will look at the location you have requested a dispensation for to ensure that it is:
- an appropriate size for your vehicle
- has no loading ban
- will not adversely affect traffic flow or will inconvenience other road users or residents
- will not cause a health and safety hazard
- does not cover a footway or grass verge (unless parking is allowed by signs and markings).
You will be contacted by the Council and if your application is approved and if there is a charge will be asked to pay.
After you have confirmation that the payment has cleared then that's it as far as you are concerned. The Council will log your dispensation with the RingGo cashless parking system and on the date and time you need to park, your parking will be validated as for any other parking session arranged by mobile phone.
Cancellations
You must give at least 1 working day's notice if you want to cancel your dispensation otherwise the Council will not be able to issue you with a refund.