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Parking permits - FAQ Why do I have to pay for a permit to park outside my own house? There are two answers to this question. The government requires all Councils to ensure that their Controlled Parking Zones are self-financing. Revenues are raised through combination of revenues from enforcement and money from the sale of the various types of permits. In fact the road outside your home (unless you live on a private road where the Council cannot introduce parking controls) is a public highway and that means that any driver has an equal right to park, providing they are not contravening any existing parking restriction or causing an obstruction. If you like, what your permit pays for is the exclusion of other drivers. Does my permit guarantee me a space outside my house? Your permit permits you to park anywhere in the zone to which it applies. There is no measure that the Council or anyone else can use to guarantee you a space outside your home on the public highway. However in CPZs in the borough we do not issue more permits to residents than there are spaces in the zone. How do we know if we are parking in a permit parking area? All areas where parking is restricted to holders of a permit will have signs erected on the pavement and will have markings on the road informing everyone that parking in that area is for 'Permit Holders Only'. How long does a permit last? All residential permits last for 12 months, or you can buy a quarterly permit at £12.50. The start date depends on which scheme area you live in. If you move into a property during that year any permits issued to you will still have the same start date as the rest of the permits issued for that scheme. How long does it take to get a permit? New applications for permits are processed very quickly, usually within two days of receipt, provided you have supplied the necessary information. Where additional information or clarification is required then the issue of your permit will be delayed until the information is provided. How do I renew an existing permit? Every year, approximately one month before your permit expires, you will receive a reminder notice and a new application form so that you can apply for the renewal of your permit. In the notice, you will be given a date by which you should return your application. If you return your application by this date your new permit will be sent by post to you approximately five days before the renewal date of your permit. If you are late submitting your application then the issue of your permit may be delayed. What if I change my vehicle during the year? You will need to apply for a new resident permit by completing the application form with the details of your new vehicle. You will need to return your old permit together with the application for the new permit. If I am a Blue Badge holder and live in a CPZ, do I need a resident’s permit? Yes you do need to apply for a resident’s permit. If I am a Blue Badge holder and live in a CPZ, do I need a resident’s permit? Yes you do need to apply for a resident’s permit.