Frequently asked questions

General

What's the process for setting up a controlled parking zone (CPZ)?
Does consultation take place?
How do I get a CPZ in my street?
Can I still park across my own driveway?
Are they a money making exercise for the council?
What about parking for people with disabilities and health visitors?
Do CPZs apply on bank holidays?

Parking permits and visitor vouchers
How much do resident parking permits cost and who can apply?
What about family and friends who visit?
I have just moved into my property. How do I get a parking permit?
I have a company car but no registration document. What do I do?
I am moving out. What do I do with my old permit?
I am moving from one CPZ in the borough to another. Do I re-apply?
I have changed my vehicle and have the old permit. What do I do?
Do I need to buy a resident permit if I own a motorcycle?
How do I get a doctor's bay outside my surgery?
Can my removal van or builders use visitor vouchers?

Blue badge holders
I am a blue badge holder, how long can I park in a CPZ?
I am a blue badge holder, how long can I park on yellow lines?
I am a blue badge holder, can I park in pay and display bays?
I am a blue badge holder, how long can I park in a marked disabled bay in an off street car park?

Suspending parking bays
I am moving house and there are parking restrictions outside my current home, what allowance can be made for my removal van?
What is the name of the company responsible for putting 'suspension of parking' notices in my area?


General
What's the process for setting up a controlled parking zone (CPZ)?
Contact traffic management who deal with implementing a CPZ. This involves hand delivering all application forms and brochures to residents within the new CPZ; processing all applications for permits and visitor vouchers and maintaining the CPZ.

Does consultation take place?
Yes. We consult local residents and businesses on introducing controlled parking and what time controls should operate. This consultation is done by questionnaire. The results are reported to local councillors.

How do I get a CPZ in my street?
Tel: (020) 8825 8052. Highways management will advise you if your street is going to be consulted in the future for a CPZ.

Can I still park across my own driveway?
Within a CPZ all lengths of the carriageway have to be marked with either a yellow line or a parking bay, including dropped kerbs outside individual properties. We are fully aware of the problems this creates. Some residents prefer to have the driveway clear and others prefer to park their car across it.

A yellow line placed across a driveway means it is protected and nobody - including the resident/owner of the property - can park across it during the hours of operation of the zone.

A resident bay, together with a white-bar marking (or a white bar on its own) across the driveway, highlighting that access is required at all times, means that the resident/owner of the property can park across it, providing they display a valid permit or visitor voucher.

Are they a money making exercise for the council?
No. By law any funds raised by a CPZ have to be spent on transport-related improvements. Funds are spent on:

What about parking for people with disabilities and health visitors?
People with disabilities can park for free if they display a blue badge and time clock and are parked within a residents' bay. Doctors, nurses, midwives and health visitors that need to visit patients in the area can apply for a general exemption permit (health emergency badge). Contact Transport Committee for London. Tel: (020) 7747 4700.

Do CPZs apply on bank holidays?
No. On UK bank holidays you may park freely within a parking bay in any Ealing CPZ without displaying a visitor voucher or parking permit.

Parking permits and visitor vouchers
How much do resident parking permits cost and who can apply for them?
This depends on what time restrictions are chosen for the zone. For a zone consisting of two one-hour periods it will be £25 per vehicle per year. For a period starting at three hours, and up to seven days a week, it will be £45 per vehicle per year. Permits are only available to people living within the controlled parking zone. More about parking permits.

What about family and friends who visit?
You can buy visitor vouchers for family and friends to allow them to park in the resident bays.

I have just moved into my property. How do I get a parking permit?
You will need a temporary permit (dispensation) and provide us with proof of residence. The dispensation will cover you for six weeks. Within this time you should send off your vehicle registration document to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) for it to be changed to your new address (on average it takes DVLA four weeks to do this).

I have a company vehicle and do not have the vehicle registration document. What can I do?
You can apply for an annual parking permit straight away. In place of the vehicle registration document we ask for a company letter on headed paper stating that you have sole use of the vehicle. We will provide you with a temporary permit (dispensation) if you require time to provide us with sufficient proof of residence or a company letter.

I am moving out of the parking zone. What do I do with my old permit?
You can return your permit to us and we will refund the time left on it. This incurs a £15 administration fee.

I am moving from one CPZ within the borough to another. Do I have to reapply?
No you can apply for a zone transfer. Please contact parking services for more information.

I have changed my vehicle and still have the old permit. What do I do?
You can visit parking services reception with the old permit and complete a new application form including a £10 payment and we will issue you with a new permit.

Alternatively, you can request and return an application form from parking services. There is a £10 fee for this service.

Note: in the period where you have no permit your vehicle will not be covered and you will be liable to receive a parking ticket (penalty charge notice). You can apply for visitor vouchers or a dispensation to cover your new vehicle.

I need to renew my resident parking permit. What do I need to supply?
If you are renewing your permit and have not changed your vehicle within the past 12 months you must supply proof of residence dated within the last month, such as a bank statement, utility bill or payslip.

If you have changed your vehicle within the past 12 months you will need to supply us with proof of residence and a copy of your vehicle registration document which is registered at the address within the CPZ.

There is more than one permit holder at my address. How many permits can we have at one time?
As long as all applicants live at the address and can provide us with the relevant documentation, any number of residents can apply for a permit. There is no reduced rate for the second permit of a household.

Do I need to buy a resident parking permit if I own a motorcycle?
No, you will not need a parking permit as there is nowhere adequate for you to display it. You may park in any residents bays or motorcycle bays within any controlled parking zone without displaying a permit.

How do I get a doctor's bay outside my surgery?
To apply for a doctor's bay you must make a request in writing to parking services. The proposed site will be inspected and a decision sent to you in writing. If the proposed site is approved a bay will be marked outside the surgery. An annual doctor's permit will allow you to park in the bay.

Blue badge holders
I am a blue badge holder, how long can I park in a CPZ?
There is no time limit, as long as your badge is on clear display.

I am a blue badge holder, how long can I park on yellow lines?
Up to three hours on single and double yellow lines as long as no loading ban is in force. Loading ban information is indicated by the time plates sign at location. Information on our parking restriction notices is available to help you.

I am a blue badge holder, can I park in pay and display bays?
For up to three hours unless otherwise stated on the pay and display sign.

I am a blue badge holder, how long can I park in a marked disabled bay in an off street car park?
You can park for a maximum three hours no return within two hours free of charge as long as your badge and clock are on display.


Suspending parking bays
I am moving house and there are parking restrictions outside my current home, what allowance can be made for my removal van?
You can suspend a parking bay to allow you to park your removal van outside your house.

What is the name of the company responsible for putting 'suspension of parking' notices in my area? The name of the company responsible for issuing'suspension of parking' notices in Ealing borough is APCOA who act on behalf of the Ealing Council's parking services.