Controlled parking zones
What is a controlled parking zone?
Visitors
Blue badge holders
What the permit allows you to do
Your duties as a permit holder
Where to apply
Charges for permits
Renewing your permit
Withdrawal of a permit
New controlled parking zones
Further information
What is a controlled parking scheme or zone?
A controlled parking scheme or zone is a street or area where parking is organised in order to help residents park their vehicles. They are provided in areas where vehicles not belonging to residents would otherwise make this difficult.
The hours of operation vary according to local circumstances but most commonly schemes operate during the working day from Monday - Saturday. The times of operation are shown on the signs for drivers entering the controlled parking zone area.
During this period the majority of spaces are reserved for resident permit holders and, where applicable, visitor permit holders. Occasionally, limited waiting spaces are available to visit local businesses.
Visitors
Depending on the scheme type, visitor permits may be granted or bays are provided for non-permit holders.
Blue badge holders
You cannot park in resident permit holders' spaces unless you also have a valid permit for the area.
However, if you have a disabled persons blue badge you can park in time limited spaces for as long as you wish and you may also park for up to three hours on single or double yellow lines, where it is safe to do so and will not cause an obstruction. You must show both your blue badge and time clock in accordance with the rules of the blue badge scheme.
What the permit allows you to do
The permit allows you to park in any parking spaces which are reserved for permit holders. These spaces will be signed with this or a similar plate:
Visitors to the area without permits can park in spaces provided for this purpose. These spaces will be signed:
Where no limit of stay is applied:
Where there is a limited length of stay:
Your duties as a permit holder
It is your duty to ensure that:
- Your permit is valid for the scheme in which you are parking
- Your permit has not expired
- The registration number is correct
- Your permit is used in accordance with the conditions of issue
- The permit is clearly displayed within the windscreen of the vehicle.
Where to apply
Please request an application pack by completing this application form. Packs will be sent out within five working days of receipt of a completed form. You will be required to enclose proof of residency (a recent bank statement, gas or electric bill, motor insurance, tenancy agreement or a letter from a solicitor with your name and address on it) and proof of vehicle ownership (copy of the current motor insurance policy) with the completed application pack, together with payment where applicable.
Please be advised that until you have a valid permit, Penalty Charge Notices are likely to be issued to your vehicle if you park within the Controlled Zone.
Charges for permits
A charge will be made for each permit issued with the exception of those issued to permit holders who are 75 years of age or more or are a Blue Badge holder.
Renewing your permit
You will be responsible for renewing your permit if:
- Your permit expires - permits are valid for one year. Contact us 14 days prior to the expiry date
- You change your vehicle. Contact us immediately to obtain 14 days temporary dispensation and return the old permit with your application for a permit for your new vehicle to this address:
Central Processing Unit
PO Box 9452
Nottingham
NG15 5BR
To renew your permit please complete and return this renewal form [WORD 59KB] 
If the details are verified, we will aim to send a replacement within five working days of receipt of the completed form. Please allow adequate time for the renewed permit to arrive and in the interim, you are advised that if you park within the Controlled Zone without a valid permit, you are likely to receive Penalty Charge Notices on your vehicle.
Alternatively, tel: 01623 434942 during office hours.
Withdrawal of a permit
A permit may be withdrawn or invalidated if:
- It is found that a permit is not being used in accordance with these guidelines
- It is found that a person is no longer eligible to hold a permit
- The permit is altered or defaced in any way or passed to unauthorised users.
Warning: Any person knowingly making a false statement to fraudulently obtain a permit is liable to a fine not exceeding £2,500 (section 115/2 Road Traffic Act 1984).
New controlled parking zones
To request that your street is considered to become a controlled parking area you should put your request in writing to your local area Highways office. You may also like to include a petition from your neighbours requesting the street become residents parking only.
We receive many requests for residents parking schemes annually and will consider these against a number of criteria before responding. It would be helpful if you could include in your request the full details of the parking problems you are experiencing. However, residents parking schemes only work where the problem is caused by non-residents parking in the street; if the problem is generated by residents' vehicles, a controlled zone will not alleviate these issues.
Further information
Read more detailed information concerning Residents' Parking Schemes [PDF 37KB] 
