Council services
Resident parking permits in London
Parking permits are issued by your borough for its Controlled Parking Zones. Apply through your council, bring proof of address and vehicle documents, and expect the price to depend on where you live and how clean your car is.
Ref · LDN-PARK · Updated 2026-07-19
Most of inner London and much of outer London sits inside a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) — an area where kerbside space is managed by the local council during set hours. If you live in a CPZ and want to park a car on the street near your home, you generally need a resident parking permit from your borough. The permit does not reserve you a bay; it lets you park in the resident bays within your zone when the controls are in force.
Because parking is a council service, there is no London-wide permit. Each of the 33 authorities designs its own scheme, sets its own prices and decides its own rules on how many permits a household can hold. What is true everywhere is that you apply to your borough, prove you live at the address, and prove the vehicle is yours to keep.
Who can apply
You can usually apply if you are a resident living within a Controlled Parking Zone and the vehicle is registered to your address or you are its registered keeper. Boroughs often cap the number of permits per household, and some restrict second or third permits to manage demand for space. If your street is not in a CPZ, you do not need a permit — but you also cannot buy one for that street.
How to apply, step by step
- Find your borough using the GOV.UK council finder, then open its parking pages.
- Check that your street is inside a Controlled Parking Zone and note the zone code.
- Create an account or sign in to your council's parking service.
- Upload your proof of address and vehicle documents, then pay the permit fee online.
What you usually need
Requirements vary by borough, but you should have the following ready before you start:
- Proof of address — a recent Council Tax bill, tenancy agreement or utility bill
- The vehicle's V5C logbook (registration document), or a lease/hire agreement
- A valid certificate of motor insurance for the vehicle
- A debit or credit card to pay the permit fee
What it costs
Prices are set locally and cover a wide range. Many boroughs now band the fee by the vehicle's CO₂ emissions or engine, so a low-emission car is cheaper than a diesel, and a second permit usually costs more than the first. The figures below are the common shape of the charge, not a single fixed rate — always check your council's live prices.
| Permit | How it is usually priced |
|---|---|
| First resident permit | Annual fee, often banded by emissions |
| Second / additional permit | Higher fee, sometimes capped per household |
| Diesel surcharge | Extra amount added in many boroughs |
| Visitor permits | Sold in books or as digital sessions |
Virtual permits
Many London boroughs no longer post a paper permit. Instead the permit is linked to your number plate and checked by camera or handheld scanner, so there is nothing to display in your windscreen.
Renew before it expires
Permits usually last a year. Set a reminder and renew online before the end date. Parking in a resident bay without a valid permit can lead to a Penalty Charge Notice from your borough.
Note: This portal links to the official services. government.london does not issue permits or take payments — your borough does.
Common questions
Who issues parking permits in London?
Your borough council issues permits for its Controlled Parking Zones. Each of London's 33 authorities runs its own scheme, so eligibility, price and rules differ from borough to borough. Apply through your council, not City Hall.
How much does a resident parking permit cost?
The cost is set by each borough and varies widely. Many councils charge by the vehicle's emissions, so a cleaner car costs less and a diesel or a second car costs more. Check your borough's website for its current charges and surcharges.
What documents do I need to apply?
You usually need proof that you live at the address (a Council Tax bill or tenancy agreement), the vehicle's V5C logbook or lease agreement showing you are the keeper, and a valid insurance certificate. Your borough lists exactly what it accepts.
Can I get a permit for visitors?
Most boroughs offer visitor permits or scratch cards so guests, tradespeople and carers can park in your zone. These are bought in books or as digital sessions and used on the days your visitor needs them. Buy them through your council.
How do I renew my permit?
Most permits last a year and are renewed online through your council. Many boroughs issue virtual permits linked to your number plate, so there is nothing to display and renewal is a quick online payment. Renew before it expires to avoid a penalty.
This is an information page. Permit applications, payments and renewals all happen on your borough's own website.
Find your council →Not sure which council?
Find your council
Enter a London postcode and we'll point you to the right borough for its parking zones, permit prices and application form.
Opens the official GOV.UK council finder.
While you're here
Other tasks Londoners handle through their borough.