Legal guidance - resident parking permits

Types of parking zones

Community Parking Zones

If you are a resident of a Community Parking Zone and wish to park during the restricted hours then you will need to purchase a Parking Permit. This will allow you to park in a residents parking bay.

Special Enforcement Areas

If you do not live within a Community Parking Zone, 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 Zone

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

If you live in the Twickenham Event Zone then you may need to have an Event Zone Residents Permit for parking on street during event days. You can also get two Event Zone Resident Visitors Permits for visitors to your household.

Please see the Twickenham Event Days pages for more information.

Proofs

Although the Council may not ask for proofs on renewal, proofs may be requested at any time. If you cannot prove continued eligibility then the Council will invalidate your permit and your vehicle may be liable for a Penalty Charge Notice 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.

Illegal parking

People who park illegally will be liable to a Penalty Charge Notice. If you see anyone parking illegally then you should let us know using the information on the Parking contacts page as they could be causing an obstruction and preventing legitimate parking.

Parking bay suspensions

The Council regularly suspends bays from normal use for various reasons, e.g. house moves. Signs notifying of a bay suspension are posted as near to the bay as possible 3 full days before. More information can be found on parking suspensions.

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

Offences

The following are offences and the Council 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 the Council 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 sent to the Council.

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, and it is also an offence to use or keep such a vehicle on a public road if the license is not displayed on the vehicle.

More information

You can find more information or get copies of forms:

  • Telephone: 08456 122 660 (9am to 5:15pm, Monday to Thursday; 9am to 5pm Friday, excluding Bank and Public holidays)
  • Online: Contact form
  • Write to: Parking Permits, PO Box 466, Twickenham TW1 9JT