Parking permits - your questions answered
CPZs and Parking Permits
How do I get a parking permit?
We have two cars. Will we have to pay £450 for a second permit?
Only if both cars are registered to the same person; if the two cars are registered to different people you can buy a £99 annual permit for each car.
Is there a limit to the number of resident permits available to each household?
No. All adults in a household are able to buy a resident permit at a cost of £99 per year. However, any resident requiring a permit for a second vehicle registered in his/her name would have to buy a second permit at a higher cost.
Why is the price of a second parking permit so high?
To reduce the demand for parking in our busy borough we must either limit the number of parking permits available or increase their price to an extent that will discourage the use of cars. A majority of the residents and businesses asked in a consultation were against limiting the number of permits available per household. Therefore the price of a second resident permit was set high to encourage a reduction in the number of second cars parked on public roads.
How long will my permit be valid?
You may buy a permit for either 6 or 12 months. Your permit will be valid from the first day of the month in which it is purchased and you will need to renew your permit in advance of the date of expiry. You will be sent a reminder one month before the expiry date.
I am a new resident, what happens if I cannot supply the required proofs immediately?
If you are a new resident in the borough, and you don’t have all the required proofs, don’t worry! New applicants can be issued with a one month temporary permit to give you time to get your paperwork together. A non-refundable deposit of the value of a 12 month permit is required to prevent fraud. Once you have all the necessary proofs, you can upgrade your one month temporary permit to an annual permit without further charge. **You will need to supply some documentary evidence to prove that you have moved into the borough, please contact the permit team on 0845 803 1020 or email parkingpermits@lbhf.gov.uk to check that you are eligible.**
I am moving home within the borough - how do I change my permit?
Complete a replacement parking permit application form (pdf, 72KB), supply proof of your new address, and return the form and your proof to us by post or in person, along with your current parking permit. A replacement permit will be issued for the parking zone in which your new address falls.
I have changed my vehicle - how do I change my permit?
Complete a replacement parking permit application form (pdf, 72KB), supply proof of your new vehicle, and return the form and your proof to us by post or in person, along with your current parking permit. A replacement permit will be issued for your new vehicle.
Where am I NOT allowed to park with my permit?
With a permit you can park in any parking bay in your controlled parking zone except bays that are marked for: -
• Blue badge holders;
• Personalised disabled permit holders;
• Motorcycles;
• Taxis;
• One hour pay and display only;
• Diplomats;
• Doctors;
• Traders; and
• Goods vehicle loading only.
Your parking permit does not allow you to park within housing estates or on private roads.
Can I get a discount if I drive a fuel efficient vehicle?
If you drive an electric, gas or hybrid vehicle, and this is shown on your vehicle registration document, you will be able to apply for a 50% discount on the cost of your one year permit.
Who cannot apply for a residents permit?
1. Residents who live in a permit-free housing development.
2. Residents who have three or more unpaid penalty charge notices, in their name or for the vehicle in the application, that are beyond the appeal stage.
3. Residents who own a property in Hammersmith and Fulham but spend the majority of their time at a different address.
4. Residents who have a valid permit for their vehicle in any other local authority.
5. Residents whose property is not within a controlled parking zone e.g. the Imperial Wharf development.
6. Residents whose vehicle is not registered with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) within 6 months of arriving in the UK.
7. Anyone whose permanent address is not in Hammersmith and Fulham e.g. visitors, tradesman, property developers, domestic staff such as a nanny etc.
8. Drivers of vehicles that are designed for more than 12 passengers (not counting the driver) and drivers of vehicles that exceed 2.28m in height.
I pay council tax and road tax, why do I have to pay for a parking permit as well?
Council tax and road tax contribute towards services that are available to the entire population such as education, social services and highway maintenance. Controlled parking schemes only affect a local area and are expensive to set up and run. By law, the costs need to be met by the scheme itself through selling parking permits.
Will owning a parking permit guarantee me the right to park outside my house?
No. We cannot reserve parking spaces for groups or individuals. However, by preventing commuters from parking in the area throughout the day, controlled parking zones make it much more likely that residents are able to find parking spaces near to their homes.
Can my visitors park in the controlled parking zone?
Visitors are able to park during the controlled hours if they buy a ‘pay and display’ ticket. In Zones F, S and G where resident priority hours operate and White City Estate , visitors also need to display a resident visitor permit, which are available free-of-charge to residents of these zones.
» Apply for a visitor parking permit
A new electronic visitor permit is now being trialled in various controlled parking zones in the borough. Click on the link below for further information and to find out whether you can apply for a SMART Visitor Permit.
» SMART Visitor Permit information
I am a business owner; are my staff allowed a business parking permit?
No. The business permit aims to make parking easier for rate-paying business owners who require a vehicle for operational reasons. It is not meant to provide inexpensive parking for employees.
» Apply for a business parking permit
Why can’t tradesmen working at my house/flat park for free?
It would be difficult for us to justify providing parking discounts for tradesmen when residents in the borough are often unable to find parking spaces.
Do I need a resident permit to park my motorcycle?
No. Motorcyclists are entitled to free and unlimited parking in all shared permit/pay and display bays, provided that the bay has not been suspended.
Is my disabled parking badge (Blue Badge) valid in controlled parking zones?
Yes. In line with the disabled parking policy in the rest of the borough, as a Blue Badge holder you are entitled to:
- free and unlimited parking in all bays
- a three-hour exemption from the waiting ban on single and double yellow lines if you do not cause an obstruction and there is no loading ban.
Please ensure that you clearly display both your disabled badge and clock, and that your clock is set to the time of your arrival.
Why can’t I get a parking permit for my high vehicle?
We do not issue permits for vehicles measuring over 2.28m in height. This policy was established 25 years ago after the Traffic Authority for Greater London had received many complaints about overshadowing caused by parked high vehicles, especially on frontages with windows close to the road.
How do you decide which parking zones need changes to their restrictions?
We choose which zones to review according to the level of parking demand at different times of the day (including commuter parking), the number of complaints we receive about parking problems, and how close the zone is to the borough’s three major football stadia. Once we have chosen a zone to review we carry out a full consultation with local residents and businesses.
What is a permit free housing development?
New housing developments of all sizes are often subject to ‘permit free’ conditions within their planning approval. This means that new properties that are built within the borough may not be eligible for an on-street parking permit. Where developers are unable to provide off-street parking for new housing, we can prevent the developments from increasing the demand for parking in the borough and therefore protect our current residents from increased parking stresses by insisting on permit free agreements at the planning application stage. Once a development has been approved with a permit free condition this cannot be changed. It is the developer and/or your landlord’s responsibility to ensure that you are aware of this condition when you buy or rent a property.
I have been refused a parking permit, can I appeal against the decision?
If you are unhappy with a decision made not to accept your application for a permit then you may appeal in writing. Appeals cannot be accepted from residents or businesses from outside the borough or from those who have been refused a permit in relation to a permit free agreement.
Can I have a permit if my vehicle is not registered in the UK?
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) requires all foreign-registered vehicles to be registered in the UK within the first six months. This ensures that vehicle owners are held accountable for their actions. In support of this requirement, from September 2008 all drivers of foreign-registered vehicles will only be eligible for a six month permit. Permits will not be renewed unless the car is registered with the DVLA.
Why have I been refused a permit just because I have not paid my penalty charge notices?
From September 2008, permits will no longer be issued to applicants who have three or more unpaid parking fines that are beyond the stage of appeal. This will also apply to applicants who want to renew their existing permit. Once the fines have been paid, applications may be made in the usual way.
I live on a housing estate, can I apply for a permit?
We issue residents' permits for the White City Estate. All other estates have their own permit schemes, i.e. on-street parking permits can only be used to park on the public highway and housing estate permits can only be used to park within the relevant estate. If you live on an estate then you may be eligible for both types of permit. Applications for estate permits can be made at your area housing office. Details are listed below:
Hammersmith South: (020) 8753 4427 or southhammersmith@hfhomes.org.uk
Hammersmith North: (020) 8753 4400 or hammersmithnorth@hfhomes.org.uk
Fulham North: (020) 7385 3355 or fulhamnorth@hfhomes.org.uk
Fulham South: (020) 7386 6000 or southfulham@hfhomes.org.uk
Page last updated: 24/06/2010