Residents' parking zones

How a residents’ parking zone works

A residents’ parking zone aims to give people in residential areas the chance to park closer to their homes or businesses.

Residents and businesses can apply for a permit to allow them to park within that particular area.

Only those with a valid permit are allowed to park within the zone during its hours of operation.

Residents are normally entitled to one parking permit for each household. However, depending on the available space within a zone, residents with private off-street parking (such as a driveway) may not be entitled to a parking permit.

A permit does not guarantee availability of parking spaces. Residents are not given a space in front of their property, but instead the ability to park within the parking zone.

Residents’ parking zones will also have pay and display parking for anyone without a valid permit.

More information on the permits is available at this link:

• Residents’ parking zone permits

Requirements for a residents’ parking zone

To be considered for a residents’ parking zone, your area must:

• have persistent commuter or nuisance parking
• be all adopted roads within the zone
• have less than 50 per cent of properties in the zone with access to off-street parking

There must also be a majority (more than 50 per cent) of residents and businesses within that area in support of a residents’ parking zone.

Zones will also need to have pay and display parking in the area during the hours of operation for non-residents.

How to apply for a residents’ parking zone

You can apply to request a parking scheme in your street or area.

When applying you will need to:

• outline the parking problem in your area

and

• provide evidence to show local support for the proposed zone

Applications to Department for Infrastructure (DfI) for residents’ parking zones can only be made during the designated application window, which opens in April 2026 and closes in July 2026. 

Any applications received after the application window closes:

• will not be considered by DfI

and

• will need to be resubmitted when the application window reopens

If you do not meet all the eligibility requirements, your application will be unsuccessful, and you will be told why.

If your application is unsuccessful, you must wait five years before applying again (unless there is a significant change in circumstances).

Further information

Further information on residents’ parking zones can be found on the Department for Infrastructure website.