Residents' Parking Zones – FAQs

Section 1: About Residents’ Parking Schemes

What is a Residents’ Parking Scheme?

A Residents’ Parking Scheme is a controlled parking initiative designed to prioritise parking for residents, businesses, and their visitors in areas affected by nuisance parking by providing an area where only vehicles with a valid permit or ticket are allowed to park during the specified time period the scheme is in operation.

What is the purpose of a residents’ parking zone?

The aim of a residents’ parking zone is to provide residents and businesses in residential areas, where the majority do not have access to any form of off-street parking, with the ability to park closer to their homes/businesses. 

Will I be guaranteed a space outside my home?

No, residents’ parking schemes do not guarantee residents specific space outside their homes or businesses. The aim of a residents’ parking zone is to improve the overall availability of parking within an area so residents can park close to their houses.

What is a strategic residents’ parking scheme?

These are schemes that have been identified by the Department. This could include schemes identified as part of Transport Plans or Parking Strategies developed by or in conjunction with the Department. Schemes could also be identified for consideration where infrastructure projects identify a need for a scheme to be considered to ensure that residential areas are not adversely impacted by parking pressures as a result. As with any proposed scheme, the majority of those residents in the area affected must be in support of a scheme being introduced. 

What is the 5-year rule?

Any application that does not meet the required criteria for a residents’ parking scheme, or if the required support during the ballots at any stage of the residents’ parking scheme process is not reached, a residents’ parking scheme for the area, will not be reconsidered for a further 5 years.

What is a mixed-use scheme?

A mixed-use scheme is a scheme that combines permit parking with other forms of controlled parking, such as pay and display or limited waiting.

What are the operating hours?

This may vary from scheme to scheme based on the times nuisance and/or commuter parking is causing the most impact to residents. 

Who enforces the compliance of parking within a scheme?

Traffic Attendants employed by the Department for Infrastructure.

What is the penalty for non-compliance?

The penalty for non-compliance within a residents’ parking scheme controls will be a charge of £90. This charge is reduced to £45 if paid within 14 days.

Section 2: Application & Ballot Process

A few streets in my local area have applied for a scheme, will these streets be grouped into one area?

At the end of the application window, the Department may consider the merits in ‘grouping’ streets together into one scheme. If this is the case, this will be clearly outlined in any ballot letter to the residents. 

Why do more than 50% of the residents within a proposed scheme need to agree at each stage of the process?

Given that there are costs that may need to be borne by residents and businesses in relation to permits, it is important that the majority of residents and businesses in that area are in support of a scheme being introduced. A scheme will not progress through the relevant stages without achieving a majority consensus at each stage. 

I live in a house of multiple occupancy, how does the ballot work for me?

Where there are houses of multiple occupancy (HMOs) within the area under consideration, individual households within these will only be treated on an individual basis if their stated address appears individually in the Land and Property Services (LPS) Valuation List, otherwise each HMO will be treated as one household.

I am a Landlord, do I have a vote?

Unless they normally reside in the residence, landlords will not be eligible to ‘vote’. Landlords whose business address falls within the proposed residents’ parking scheme area, will be classified as a business and will be eligible to vote.

I am new to the area, how can I share my views on a proposed scheme?

At each stage of the process, all households will be asked to confirm whether they agree to a scheme in the area. The letter will issue to your address and not specify the occupier. 

Section 3: Permit Types & Eligibility

What types of permits are available?

There are many different types of permits that can be used to permit parking within a residents’ parking zone, these include:

• Resident’s Permits – for residents living within a residents’ parking zone;
• Business Permits – for businesses located within a residents’ parking zone;
• Visitor’s Permit – available to residents/businesses within a residents’ parking zone to allow visitor parking;
• Health Carer’s Permit – issued to local Health & Social Care Trusts for the parking needs of health carers;
• Special Permits – to cover special events such as building works, weddings or funerals.

Who can apply for a residents’ permit?

Residents of domestic properties listed in the LPS valuation list are eligible to apply. Proof of identity, residency, and vehicle ownership is required when applying for a permit.

Initially one permit will be allocated per residence or business premises without the provision of off-street parking. Following this, and dependent on the available space within a scheme, additional permits may be issued including those with off-street parking.

Exceptions to this may also be made for Blue Badge holders if their off-street parking is unsuitable due to physical constraints.

What types of vehicles are eligible for permits?

Permits may be issued for motorcars, motorcycles and light goods vehicles (under 3.5 tonnes). They will not be issued for and cannot be used for caravans, trailers or heavy goods vehicles.

Who qualifies for a Business Permit?

Businesses operating within a scheme’s area and without access to off-street parking can apply for a business permit. Proof of business operation such as a rates bill or utility bill are required when applying for a business permit.

How many business permits can be issued?

Initially one permit will be allocated per business premises without the provision of off-street parking. Depending on the available space within a scheme, there may be cases where more than one permit per business premises can be issued.

Who can apply for visitor permits?

All residences or businesses within a scheme area, regardless of car ownership or off-street parking availability can apply for visitor permits.

How many visitor permits can a resident apply for?

Each residence or business can purchase a book of 25 visitor permits each quarter. Where a Resident is aged 65 or over, each book will contain 50 visitor permits.

Who can apply for a Health Carer’s Permit?

Local Health and Social Care Trusts, or independent sector organisations delivering Health and Social Care Services, may apply on behalf of staff providing residential care.

Section 4: Permit Costs & Rules of Use

Is there a cost for a resident’s or business permit?

The cost for a resident’s permit or business permit is currently £30 and is valid for one year, however this cost will be periodically reviewed to ensure it remains sustainable. 

Permits are issued free of charge to Blue Badge users who are residents within a scheme and for residents of schemes either wholly or partially within a Neighbourhood Renewal Area.

How do I know if my street is in a Neighbourhood Renewal Area?

There are 36 areas determined by the Department for Communities as Neighbourhood Renewal Areas within Northern Ireland. You can check if your street is within a Neighbourhood Renewal Area here.

What is the cost of visitor permits?

A book of visitors permits currently costs £12.50.

Are permits refundable?

Permits are non-refundable and no refunds will be provided for returned or unused permits.

How long is a permit valid?

Residents’ permits are valid for 12 months from the date of issue. Visitors permits have no expiry date but are valid for one days operation when in use.

Are permits transferable between schemes?

No, permits are scheme-specific and cannot be used in other schemes. 

Can visitor permits be carried over?

Yes, any unused visitor permits purchased within a quarter can be carried over.

Is there a cost for Health Carer’s Permits?

No, health carer permits are issued free of charge.

Can Blue Badge holders park in a residents’ parking scheme?

Blue Badge holders who are Residents within a scheme are able to apply for a permit free of charge. Any Blue Badge users that do not have a valid permit will be able to park within the pay and display area of a scheme free of charge.