Resident Parking Permit FAQs
- How many permits am I entitled to?
- What if I have a car space on my property?
- Do I have to be a permanent resident?
- Does my car have to be registered at my address?
- What if I use a company car?
- What documents do I need to show?
2.0 Restricted and Ineligible Properties
- Who is entitled to only one permit?
- Who is not eligible for a permit?
- How many permits can be issued for a boarding house?
- How many permits can be issued to hotel caretakers or resident managers?
- Can I obtain a resident permit if my property is not approved as a residential dwelling?
- Which vehicles are eligible for a parking permit?
- Can I transfer my permit between vehicles?
- Is an interstate registered vehicle eligible for a permit?
- Do I need to produce the registration certificate for an interstate registered vehicle
- Can I get a replacement permit?
- Are permits available for temporary replacement vehicles?
- Can business and resident parking permits be issued to the same property?
- Can I get a refund if my permit is returned or cancelled?
- Are fees reduced for cleaner vehicles?
- How much do I pay for a second permit in the household?
- What if my car is too big for my parking space
1.0 Permit Entitlements
How many permits am I entitled to?
In general, up to two permits are available per household if there is no off-street parking space. Permits can only be issued for cars registered at the address, and in the name of the permanent resident.
Residents of some newer properties are not eligible for permits, or
are eligible for only one permit. See Section 2 (Restricted Properties) for more information.
What if I have a car space on my property?
If you have one off-street parking space (or could reasonably modify your property to provide one), you are eligible for one permit for a vehicle registered at your address, provided that the off-street parking space is occupied by another vehicle also registered to your address.
If you have two off-street parking spaces (or could reasonably modify your property to provide two), you are not entitled to a residential parking permit.
Do I have to be a permanent resident?
Yes. Only permanent residents are eligible to apply for a resident parking permit for the parking precinct in which they live.
Permits cannot be issued to non-resident landlords, hotel or hostel guests, or occupants of serviced apartments.
Does my car have to be registered at my address?
Yes. The vehicle for which the permit is sought must be registered at the applicant’s address.
What if I use a company car?
If the vehicle is not registered in the name of the resident, permits may only be issued to a company vehicle.
In the case of a company vehicle, you must provide evidence that you are an employee of the company. You must also provide a letter on company letterhead, from an appropriate company officer, stating that the vehicle is normally used by you.
In cases other than company vehicles, the City no longer accepts statutory declarations that you have exclusive use of a vehicle not registered in your name or at your address. However, if you formerly relied on this declaration, the City will continue to renew your permit provided that:
- You still live at the same address as the current permit
- The existing permit is still current (not yet expired), or the application for the permit’s renewal is made within 21 days of the previous permit’s expiry date.
What documents do I need to show?
You are required to produce two forms of proof of residency when applying for a parking permit. (Please refer to the Application Form for acceptable documents).
You must produce the current Vehicle Registration Certificate when applying for a resident parking permit. If you have one off-street parking space and it is being used by another vehicle registered to your address, you must also produce the Vehicle Registration Certificate of this vehicle.
2.0 Restricted and Ineligible Properties
Who is entitled to only one permit?
In Ultimo and Pyrmont, certain residential developments approved after 2 November 1998 are ‘Restricted Properties’. Residents are generally entitled to only one permit per household.
Who is not eligible for a permit?
It is a condition of development consent for new developments that residents will not be eligible for resident parking permits. This helps to ensure some parking is provided on-site, and prevents new development from worsening the existing shortage of resident parking. The restricted access or ineligibility condition is recorded on the Section 149 Certificates for the affected properties, and must be notified to all prospective buyers and tenants.
In the City East and City South precincts, residents of multi-unit developments approved after 8 May 1996 are not eligible to participate in the resident permit parking schemes.
In the CBD precinct residents of all developments approved after 1 May 2000 are not eligible to participate in the resident permit parking schemes.
There are also a number of other newer properties in the City of Sydney where planning conditions at the time of development specifically excluded residents from participating in the City’s resident parking schemes.
How many permits can be issued for a boarding house?
The City will issue up to two resident parking permits for a boarding house. Priority for the permits will be given to the resident owner, the caretaker, or the manager.
If you are an existing Resident Parking permit holder and you live in a boarding house located in the former City of Sydney, the City will renew your Resident Parking Permit each year, provided that you continue to live at the same address for which the permit was originally issued, and you renew the permit within 21 days of the previous permit’s expiry date.
How many permits can be issued to hotel caretakers or resident managers?
Owners, resident managers or caretakers who reside in pubs, small hotels, hostels or backpacker hotels are eligible to apply for a resident parking permit subject to meeting the usual eligibility criteria and having no on-site parking for their vehicle. The maximum allocation for a pub, small hotel, hostel or a backpacker hotel is two resident parking permits.
Can I obtain a resident permit if my property is not approved as a residential dwelling?
No. Resident Parking Permits are only issued to residents of eligible "residential" properties. If your property is not approved for residential use, you are not eligible to apply for a resident parking permit.
If a property or part of a property is being used for a residential purpose but is not approved for such use, the owners should contact the City to confirm whether residential use is permitted, and whether the property details can be updated. Only then can the City issue a resident parking permit.
3.0 Vehicle Qualification
Which vehicles are eligible for a parking permit?
A motor car or a motorcycle is eligible.
Boats, caravans, trucks, buses, tractors and other trailers and heavy vehicles are not eligible for permits, and must observe on-street parking restrictions. Trucks, including all vehicles of over 3 tonnes Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) are not eligible for parking permits.
Can I transfer my permit between vehicles?
No. The resident parking permit applies only to the vehicle bearing the registration shown on the permit. The permit must be permanently fixed to the windscreen.
Residents who bring a different vehicle home every night from their work place are not eligible for permits for those vehicles.
If a resident require a permit for a different vehicle, the original permit must be cancelled and a new permit issued.
Is an interstate registered vehicle eligible for a permit?
Yes. A vehicle registered outside NSW may be issued a resident parking permit for a maximum period of three (3) months. When the permit expires it cannot be renewed to that vehicle unless the vehicle registration has been changed to New South Wales, to the resident’s name and to their address within the precinct.
If an interstate registered vehicle is a company vehicle then an annual permit may be issued subject to the applicant providing a letter on company letterhead, signed by an appropriate officer of the company, stating that the applicant normally uses the vehicle, and that the vehicle is registered in the company name.
Do I need to produce the registration certificate for an interstate registered vehicle?
Yes. If you can’t produce the original certificate, the City will accept a photocopy or faxed copy.
4.0 General Conditions
Can I get a replacement permit?
Yes. If your original permit is lost, stolen or destroyed, you will need to provide a statutory declaration outlining the circumstances of your request for a replacement. The document is reviewed by customer Service Staff.
A fee may be charged for replacement permits.
Are permits available for temporary replacement vehicles?
If your vehicle is damaged or stolen, the City will issue permits of up to 3 months for hire cars or courtesy vehicles only. The original permit will be cancelled.
You must supply a police report or statutory declaration before the City will issue a temporary permit. Once the original vehicle is repaired or replaced, you should surrender the temporary permit, and the City will issue a new resident parking permit without charge.
Can business and resident parking permits be issued to the same property?
Yes. If the property is a residence and there is a registered business operating from that property then the occupants are eligible to apply for a resident parking permit for a vehicle registered in the name of the resident at that address. Also, if there is a vehicle registered in the business name at the same address then a business permit may be issued to that vehicle subject to meeting the normal eligibility criteria.
Can I get a refund if my permit is returned or cancelled?
Yes. If a permit is handed in or cancelled by the City at least three months before it is due to expire, the City will refund half the applicable purchase price.
Are fees reduced for cleaner vehicles?
On 1 July 2008, the City of Sydney introduced new environmental pricing of Resident and Business parking permits to encourage the use of more sustainable vehicles. Permit fees for cleaner vehicles are lower than for vehicles which emit high levels of greenhouse gas and air pollution. The fees are based on the star rating of your vehicle in the Federal Government's Green Vehicle Guide. If you are unsure of your vehicle's rating, visit www.greenvehicleguide.gov.au.
More information on environmental pricing for parking permits is available here.
How much do I pay for a second permit in the household?
A higher fee applies for the second permit issued to a household. This is irrespective of whether the applicant is the holder of the first resident permit.
What if my car is too big for my parking space?
A resident is not entitled to a permit if an on-site parking space is available, irrespective of the difficulty of parking in the space.
Last Updated: Wednesday 6 August, 2008
