Resident parking permit - legal guidance

Types of parking zones

Controlled Parking Zones

If you are a resident of a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) and wish to park during the restricted hours, then you will need to apply for a residents parking permit. This will allow you to park in a residents parking bay.

Special Enforcement Areas

If you do not live within a CPZ, then by default you live within a Special Enforcement Area.

In a Special Enforcement Area you do not need any sort of permit to park; however, you still need to be aware of:

• Yellow lines
• Parking on a footway (pavement) is not allowed anywhere within London unless a footway has been specifically signed and lined for residents to do so.

Twickenham Event (R) Zone

The Twickenham Event (R) Zone is a special case in that the majority of streets within it are Special Enforcement Areas, except on event days in which case Controlled Parking Zone R comes into effect.

If you live in the Twickenham Event (R) Zone then you may need to have a Twickenham Event Zone resident parking permit for parking on street during event days. You can also get two Twickenham Event Zone visitor parking permit for visitors to your household.

Number of permits

Each resident is allowed one resident parking permit, even if there are more cars owned by that resident. This does not apply if a resident is renewing a permit immediately before it expires.

There is no limit on the number of permits held within a household, unless the property is subject to a planning agreement. See a list of properties not allowed parking permits.

Proofs

Although we may not ask for proofs on renewal, proofs may be requested at any time. If you cannot prove continued eligibility then we will invalidate your permit and your vehicle may be liable for a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN), if found to be displaying the permit for parking.

About your vehicle

Your vehicle must be a passenger vehicle or a goods carrying vehicle with dimensions which do not exceed:

• 2.28 metres in height
• 5.25 metres in length

If you have any doubt, or have questions relating to other types of vehicles, contact us.

Foreign Number Plates

If your vehicle has a foreign registration number a resident parking permit can only be issued for three or six months and can not be renewed. After this time your vehicle will need to be registered with DVLA unless you can prove your vehicle is regularly exiting the country in line with DVLA requirements.

Illegal parking

People who park illegally will be liable to a PCN. If you see anyone parking illegally then you should let us know.

Parking bay suspensions

We regularly suspend bays from normal use for various reasons; for example, house moves. Signs notifying of a bay suspension are posted as near to the bay as possible 3 full days before. Visit parking suspensions for more information.

Be aware, any unauthorised vehicles found parked in a suspended bay may be liable for a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN). If your vehicle is to remain in the same bay for a number of days, you should check daily for any suspension notices.

Refunds

Refunds are available for permits, which have at least one full month remaining before the expiry date. Find out more about resident parking permit refunds.

Offences

The following are offences and we may take further action if you are found to be committing one.

False statements

It is an offence to make a false statement in order to procure the issue of a permit to oneself or any other person, and we may prosecute under either the Theft Acts or other relevant criminal legislation.

The maximum penalty on conviction or indictment is five years imprisonment and/or a fine on summary conviction, six months imprisonment or a fine of up to £5,000.

Mishandling and forging documents

It is an offence to:

• Use or lend to another person any permit or other authorisation with intent to deceive, and
• Make or have in one's possession anything so closely resembling a permit or other authorisation as to be calculated to deceive.

The maximum penalty on conviction is two years' imprisonment or a fine of up to £5,000.

Parking in a permit bay without a valid permit

It is an offence to park in a resident’s bay without having a valid permit, even if an application for a permit has been made.

Vehicle must be licensed

It is an offence under the Vehicle Registration and Excise Act 1994 (Section 29) to use or keep a mechanically propelled vehicle on a public road if the vehicle is unlicensed.

Contact

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