Terms and conditions for parking permits 

Camden Account, permit applications and renewals

It is the responsibility of the applicant/account holder to upload the documents requested during the Camden Account or Business Account application process.

By applying for or purchasing any type of permit the applicant accepts the Council’s terms and conditions. A parking permit does not guarantee you a parking space. 

The registered account holder should ensure their account is up to date, that all the information provided is correct, and to renew any permit on time. When applying, renewing or maintaining your permit account, you confirm that you understand and accept the current terms and conditions. Failure to follow these may result in parking enforcement action and the cancellation of your permit without refund.

Resident and Business account holders must always ensure that the Vehicle Registration Mark on all permits purchased is correct, including those set to a 'future' start date. If there has been a change of vehicle it is important to update each permit. 

We will carry out checks and you may be required to submit further supporting evidence at any time. If an application is found to have been made when not meeting the terms and conditions, the permit will be cancelled without a refund. 

The London Borough of Camden reserves the right to amend these terms and conditions for parking permits and the application procedures at any time. Registered account holders will be notified of any changes to the terms and conditions (via email) 30 days before they come into full force and effect. It is the permit holder's responsibility to ensure their permit complies with the terms and conditions.

Outstanding Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs)

If a vehicle on your account has three or more outstanding PCNs where the statutory appeal process has ended, the permit will be cancelled and you will not be able to renew it. The outstanding charges will need to be settled or you will need to satisfy us that you are not liable for the outstanding charges.

Permit tariffs 

See our current fees and charges

The charge for resident, business, visitor and business hourly short stay permits are based on the vehicle CO2 emissions, or engine size for vehicles registered on or before the 1st March 2001. It remains the responsibility of the vehicle’s registered keeper to ensure that all information held on record with the DVLA is accurate and up to date.

If the DVLA or similar agency does not hold vehicle CO2 emissions or engine size data, then we will issue a 6 month permit that will be charged at the highest emission tariff until evidence is supplied for a tariff reset. This also applies when the CO2 data is missing and the customer is required to obtain updated DVLA documents. 

The Air Quality Surcharge is applied to resident, visitor, business, doctor, and car club permits, plus paid for parking charges. The Air Quality Surcharge would apply to petrol vehicles that do not meet the Euro 6 standard (first registered prior to September 2015) and diesel vehicles that are not Euro 6d and Euro 6d-TEMP compliant (first registered prior to September 2019).  In limited circumstances, we can review the Air Quality Surcharge if we receive clear evidence confirming the vehicle meets the Euro 6 standard (expired permits will not be reviewed).

Refunds

You may be entitled to a refund where a permit is no longer required or where there is a change to a lower tariff vehicle. You will need to cancel or make the change on your permit account. Refunds are calculated from the date this is done at a rate equivalent to the number of full months remaining before the expiry of the permit. All refund applications must then be submitted online via the parking refund form. 

• Parking permit fee, resident permit, business permit and Air Quality Surcharge are refundable
• Visitor, business hourly short stay and trade permits are non-refundable
• Refunds are not due where a permit has been cancelled due to not complying with these terms and conditions

Anti-fraud notice

Preventing fraud ensures fair access for everyone and safeguards integrity of our policies. If you suspect misuse or fraud related to parking permits, report it promptly to the Council here.

The Council will investigate any cases of suspected fraud or misuse of parking permits. If we find evidence of fraud or misuse (including but not limited to individuals creating multiple accounts either at a unique address or multiple addresses, submitting dishonest or manipulated evidence of eligibility, proof of address, car ownership, emission documentation) we will suspend the account which will prevent any future issue of permits. 

Camden's parking permit products are for use by the resident and/or business use and should not be re-purposed for commercial use, such as selling visitor permits on third party applications.

Where fraudulent misuse is found your permit will be cancelled and you will not be eligible for a refund on your permit. We may also prosecute where we consider that fraud or intentional misuse has taken place.

Damage liability

To the extent legally permissible, the Council excludes liability for damage, loss or injury howsoever caused to any person, property or any vehicle or its load or content whilst in any parking space or on entering or leaving the parking space, whether such entry or exit is under the control of the vehicle driver, the Council or any third party.

It is for the permit holder to ensure that they meet the criteria for holding a permit and that they submit the documentation outlined in these terms and conditions.

You must upload the correct documents before the expiry of 12 weeks from when the permit started. Any changes to your account will also require that you submit new documentation. Additionally, if there is a gap between the expiry of your permit and obtaining a new permit, you will also need to resubmit the documentation again to validate your permit.

The London Borough of Camden reserves the right to check the validity and documentation of a permit at any point during the lifespan of the permit. Any permit account identified as having documentation which does not match what is stipulated in the terms and conditions may have their permit cancelled without a refund. Accounts found to have been incorrectly validated may also be cancelled should the documentation be found to not meet our requirements.

Please ensure the document uploaded is clear, high quality and the whole page can be viewed.

The following list is a guide and you may be asked for additional information.  

Resident permit
Courtesy vehicle
Visitor permit
Business permit
Euro 6 standard review

Resident permit - acceptable documents

We will require proof of vehicle custody and, if not confirmed via automated checks, proof of your Camden address which must be in your name with your Camden address

Proof of residency in Camden

• Council tax bill
• Front and signed pages of a tenancy agreement

Proof of vehicle custody 

• vehicle registration document (DVLA V5C/Logbook) in your name at your Camden address. If you change a vehicle associated with a personalised number plate, we require evidence of a V750 and the latest V5C documents
• hire/lease agreement in your name at your Camden address
• for a company vehicle not in your name with your Camden address, we will require the V5C/lease in the company name and a letter from the company confirming that the vehicle is provided for your sole use
• for a foreign vehicle 6 month permit, the registered country DVLA equivalent document and must then be DVLA registered for any further permit

Courtesy vehicle – acceptable documents

• hire/lease agreement from the garage, repair shop or your insurer including your name and Camden address

Visitor permit - acceptable documents

Proof of residency

• see resident permit above

Proof for discount as 75 and over or disabled 

• proof of age: passport, birth certificate, medical certificate or driving licence
• disabled persons Blue Badge
• PIP/DLA letter confirming award for disability/long term-health condition
• registered blind certification
• war or service disablement pension letter

Business permit - acceptable documents

Proof of business

• Camden business rates register

Proof of essential need annual permit

• frequent visits are required to other premises in the course of work. Provide evidence such as full details of the frequency, duration and location of such visits. This can be copies of your diary or calendar entries, invoices, trade accounts over the past six weeks
• heavy/valuable goods are transported on a regular basis in the operation of the business. Provide evidence including the weight of goods carried the frequency of trips made and the location of premises visited. This can be invoices, delivery or collections notes, similar statements reflecting activities over the past six weeks
• unsociable hours are worked on a regular basis for essential reasons. Provide full details and provide evidence such as alarm setting printouts, timed invoices, international client invoices or similar timed supporting documentation, reflecting activities over the past six week

• Doctors will need to provide any evidence of operational need, for example a surgery letter confirming that the medical personnel will be working/operating at the surgery. Proof of vehicle custody will also need to be provided.

Proof of vehicle custody for annual permit

• vehicle registration document (DVLA V5C logbook) in your business name at your Camden address. If you change a vehicle associated with a personalised number plate, we require evidence of a V750 and the latest V5C documents
• hire/lease agreement in your business name at your Camden address
• business use insurance for the vehicle

Air Quality Surcharge - Euro 6 review

You may request a review of the Air Quality surcharge and associated parking permit fees if there is clear evidence to show your vehicle meets the Euro 6 standard. 

Proof of Euro 6 standard

The V5C document issued by the DVLA, or an equivalent foreign registered document.

• Certificate of Conformity (COC) from the vehicle manufacturer or their official representative
• Letter from the vehicle manufacturer’s homologation department confirming Euro 6 standard compliance

All submitted documents must include the following details:

• Engine type and capacity
• CO2 emissions (g/km)
• Confirmation of Euro 6 compliance
• Fuel type
• Manufacture date
• Vehicle model and variant
• Manufacturer's name and address
• Signature and date

The Council reserves the right to carry out additional checks. Documents that fail to meet the specified requirements or cannot be verified will not be accepted, and the associated fees and charges will remain unchanged.

This review process does not apply to expired or cancelled parking permits. 

Main residence

You must be a resident in the borough at least five nights per week and one permit account can be held per qualifying resident. 

You must ensure that the property is not subject to a “car free” or “car capped” agreement. If we find a permit was obtained for such a property, it will be cancelled without refund.

The Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) for the permit is determined by your Camden address.

Vehicle

Must be registered with the DVLA with valid vehicle insurance in your name at the same Camden address and be a:

• passenger, private light goods vehicle or electric powered vehicle, the gross weight of which does not exceed 3.5 tonnes and is no more than 2.2 metres wide and 2.32 metres tall
• motorcycle weighing no more than 450kgs and not including a sidecar

Either a 6 or 12 month permit is available for these vehicles.

A vehicle can only be registered to one resident permit account and there can only be one resident permit on the account.

Lease, hire or company vehicle: a lease/hire agreement in your name, or company V5C/lease agreement with a letter from the company confirming the vehicle is for your sole use. Permits are not issued for carpool, foreign registered company vehicles, or vehicles loaned by friends or family.

Foreign or not DVLA registered: a non-renewable 6 month permit will be issued. Evidence from the DVLA or an equivalent foreign registration authority for your vehicle must be uploaded within 12 weeks; otherwise, the permit will be automatically cancelled. The permit will be charged at the highest emission tariff until DVLA evidence is supplied for a tariff reset. The vehicle must be DVLA registered for any further permit to be issued.  

Courtesy vehicle

If your active resident permit vehicle is being repaired or serviced, you can temporarily replace it with the courtesy vehicle provided by the garage, repair shop or insurance company. This service is available for formal courtesy vehicles only and not personal loans from friends, family or other arrangement. 

Only 1 courtesy vehicle can be active and this will be for a period of 14 days at a time. Once your vehicle is returned, you must remove the courtesy vehicle from your resident permit and ensure your vehicle is again active on the permit account. 

A courtesy vehicle can replace your active resident permit vehicle up to 5 times per year.

If the hire or lease agreement for your courtesy vehicle is for a period longer than 14 days, you will need to do a change of vehicle request on your permit account.

You must upload an official courtesy vehicle hire/lease agreement from the garage, repair shop or the insurer to your account, otherwise this service may be stopped. 

Cancelling a permit and refund

If you no longer require your resident permit you will need to cancel the permit in your account before applying for a refund. The refund amount will be calculated from the date you cancel your permit on the account at a rate equivalent to the number of full months remaining before the expiry of the permit. Once cancelled a parking refund application form will need to be completed.

If you had not completed your application by uploading eligibility evidence, such as the vehicle V5C in your name at the Camden address, no refund is due.

Where and how to park, plus parking suspensions

The permit allows parking in a resident permit bay in the associated CPZ. The time plate will include “Resident permit holders” or “Permit holders” and the mark CA- with the CPZ letter.

The vehicle must be parked wholly within the bay markings, and not on the footway. Footway parking not only causes an obstruction to all users of the footway but also damages the footway itself.  

The permit does not allow trailer or caravan parking.

Except within zones CA-B, CA-H and two hour sub zones, the permit also allows parking in paid for parking bays in the same CPZ for the first and last hour of the CPZ restricted hours.

Parking is not permitted in suspended bays. Suspension warning notices will be displayed adjacent to the time plate for the parking bay and it is the responsibility of the permit holder to make themselves aware by reading the relevant notices.  As well as regularly checking for warning notices, you can sign up to our courtesy email alerts service for forthcoming suspensions.

Failure to follow the terms and conditions may result in parking enforcement action and potential vehicle removal.

Renewals

The permit holder is responsible for renewing the permit and you may wish to set your own reminder. While we aim to send out emails for renewals, this is dependent on your email details being up to date on your Camden Account and the spam/junk settings for your email address.

If the permit is not renewed within 40 days after the expiry date, you will need to submit a new application and eligibility documents will be requested again. This applies even where previous documents have been received and there has been no change to the permit holder details.

Member of Parliament resident permit 

If you are a Member of Parliament but resident in Camden for less than five nights a week, you are still able to apply for a resident permit. You will need to make the request via the Contact Camden call centre in order for an account to be set up.   

Main residence

You must be 16 or over and reside in the borough at least five nights per week. 

The Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) for the permit is determined by your Camden residential address.

Visitor permit use and allocation

There is an annual allocation of visitor permits (VPs) depending on the CPZ in which you reside, see the table below. The annual period runs from 1st April to 31st March and any unused allocation does not roll over. 

Residents who have a disability or aged 75 and over, are eligible for a 50% discounted rate on short stay VPs and an increased allocation. To purchase VPs at the discounted rate, you must first register your eligibility on your parking account and upload supporting documents to verify your disability or age - please refer to the Permit Proof Documents section for examples.

Short stay VP (all CPZs): 

• pay at the time your visitor arrives or pre-pay for a future time, the VP is not amendable or refundable
• purchase in 15 minutes increments, a stay can be extended if processed before the final 15 minute period starts
• purchase up to maximum of 4 hours on the day or up to the end of controlled hours, whichever is sooner
• after expiry of the maximum 4 hours stay, the vehicle must be moved from the bay, but can be moved to alternative parking
• time is not carried over into the next parking period

  All day VP (not available in all CPZs):

• for visits over 4 hours
• pay at the time your visitor arrives or pre-pay for a future time, the VP is not amendable or refundable.
• time is not carried over

Where and how to park, plus parking suspensions

The account holder must ensure that their visitor is aware of the VP terms and conditions.

VPs allow parking in a resident permit bay in the associated CPZ. The time plate will include “Resident permit holders” or “Permit holders” and the mark CA- with the CPZ letter.

The vehicle must be parked wholly within the bay markings, and not on the footway. Footway parking not only causes an obstruction to all users of the footway but also damages the footway itself.

The VP does not allow trailer or caravan parking.

It is important that your visitor is aware of the restrictions indicated on the parking bay time plate. It is also important the restricted hours are checked as these can differ within a CPZ and may start earlier and end later than in the street where you reside. 

Parking spaces are suspended from time to time and parking is not permitted. Suspension warning notices will be displayed adjacent to the time plate for the parking bay and these must be checked upon parking and before any session starts. 

Failure to follow the terms and conditions may result in parking enforcement action and potential vehicle removal.

Member of Parliament VPs 

If you are a Member of Parliament but resident in Camden for less than five nights a week, you are still able to apply for VPs. If you do not already hold a resident permit, you will need to make the request via the Contact Camden call centre in order for an account to be set up.  

Trade permits are available to any trade person or service provider needing to carry out work or services at a Camden resident or business address. Anyone can apply for a trade permit for a period from 1 to 40 days. These allow parking in resident permit bays and on yellow line locations as stated below only.

You will need to provide the Camden address which will determine the Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) for the permit, vehicle registration and the reason for the visit.

Trade permits are non-transferable and non-refundable, only book when you are sure of the details above.

Where to park and parking suspensions

Resident permit bays: from the start of controlled hours to the end of controlled hours. The time plate will include “Resident permit holders” or “Permit holders” and the mark CA- with the CPZ zone letter - this will be the CPZ determined by the Camden address provided. 

Yellow lines: single yellow lines (or in Hampstead CA-H zone, double yellow lines up to 8pm) in the CPZ determined by the Camden address provided. 

You cannot park anywhere else, such as:

• paid for parking bay
• where a loading ban is in force, indicated by single or double kerb markings
• adjacent to a dropped kerb or raised highway such as at a pedestrian crossing or vehicle crossover
• footway
• location with a “no-stopping” restriction, zig-zags, or box commonly outside schools
• within five metres of a junction or in a manner obstructing traffic
• red route
• housing estate
• suspended bay

Parking spaces are suspended from time to time and parking is not permitted. Warning signage will be displayed adjacent to the time plate. 

Weddings and funerals (the officiated service only)

Trade permits issued for weddings, funerals or other dedicated purposes may have different conditions which will be explained when issued.

Failure to follow the terms and conditions may result in parking enforcement action and potential vehicle removal.

The business must be based in the borough and have no access to off-street parking. 

You must ensure that the property is not subject to “car free” or “car capped” agreement. If we find a permit was obtained for such a property, it will be cancelled without refund.

For an annual permit the business must demonstrate that a vehicle is essential for the operation and viability of the business, and not for the purposes of commuting and securing all day parking. The Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) for the permit is determined from the business address.

Only one parking account per business is allowed. Permits are only for use during the active operational hours of the business.

There are two types of business permits:

• Annual business permit: for businesses with an essential daily need for a vehicle
• Short stay hourly business permit: for businesses with an essential but occasional need and for business visitors. The allocation available is up to 120 hours in CPZs CA-C, CA-D, CA-E, and 2 hour zones/sub-zones CA-P, CA-S, CA-U, CA-V; in all other CPZ areas up to 500 hours is available. The annual period runs from 1st April to 31st March and any unused allocation does not roll over

Essential need reasons for an annual permit

Business

• frequent visits are required to other premises in the course of work
• heavy/valuable goods are transported on a regular basis in the operation of the business
• unsociable hours are worked on a regular basis for essential reasons

Doctor

• Doctors will need to provide evidence of operational need, for example a surgery letter confirming that the medical personnel will be working/operating at the surgery. This permit is at a 22% reduced charge from a standard Business Permit.

If the business or doctor circumstances change, these must be reported as the permit may become invalid. 

Vehicle

For an annual permit the vehicle must be registered with the DVLA with ownership or lease confirming business use along with valid business use insurance at the Camden business address.

• passenger or goods vehicles, gross weight not exceeding 3.5 tonnes, no more than 2.2 metres wide and 2.32 metres tall

Only one vehicle can be added to a business annual permit.

Where and how to park, plus parking suspensions

Business Permit Holders are allowed to park in “permit holders” bays marked with CA- with the CPZ zone letter. Vehicles must not be used for commuting and must be moved at the end of a trading day

The vehicle must be parked wholly within the bay markings, and not on the footway. Footway parking not only causes an obstruction to all users of the footway but also damages the footway itself.

The permit does not allow trailer or caravan parking.

Parking spaces are suspended from time to time and parking is not permitted. Suspension warning notices will be displayed adjacent to the time plate for the parking bay and it is the responsibility of the permit holder to make themselves aware by reading the relevant notices. As well as regularly checking for warning notices, you can sign up to our courtesy email alerts service for forthcoming suspensions.

Failure to follow the terms and conditions may result in parking enforcement action and potential vehicle removal.

Renewals

The permit holder is responsible for renewing the permit and you may wish to set your own reminder. While we aim to send out emails for renewals, this is dependent on your email details being up to date on your Camden Account and the spam/junk settings for your email address.

If the permit is not renewed within 40 days after the expiry date, you will need to submit a new application and eligibility documents will be requested again. This applies even where previous documents have been received and there has been no change to the permit holder details.

Business permit: vehicle repair and service garages (scheme C)

Any vehicle repair/service garage may apply for up to 10 permits for the purpose of leaving vehicles being repaired/serviced in resident permit bays near the garage. The CPZ is determined from the garage address.

These permits are issued for 12 months for existing customers.

See above "Where to park and suspensions" for Business permits and above "Renewals”.

The permit does not allow parking on yellow lines, footways, paid for parking or suspended bays.

Failure to follow the terms and conditions may result in parking enforcement action and potential vehicle removal.

Permit holders must hold a valid street trading licence and be actively trading in one of the Council’s street markets. One permit is available per licensee.  

The permit is valid only for parking in market trader bays during the operational hours of the market and for periods that the licensee is actively trading.  

If found to be using a vehicle solely for storage or found not to be trading anymore, the permit may be withdrawn.

Vehicle

Must be registered with the DVLA and be registered to the business or individual licence holder. Insurance must state it is for business use and it must be a:

• goods vehicle not exceeding 7.5 tonnes and must carry no more than nine people
• passenger vehicles must carry no more than 13 people

The permit is not valid for motorcycle, trailer or caravan parking. 

Multiple vehicles: up to three vehicles can be added to your market permit, however only one is able to park during the controlled hours. You will need to choose which vehicle is active via your account.

Where to park and parking suspensions

The permit allows parking in any nearby bay marked as “Permit holders only MKT” or “Permit holders only” with identifier number prefixed with “T”.

Parking spaces are suspended from time to time and parking is not permitted. Suspension warning notices will be displayed adjacent to the time plate for the parking bay and it is the responsibility of the permit holder to make themselves aware by reading the relevant notices. As well as regularly checking for warning notices, you can sign up to our courtesy email alerts service for forthcoming suspensions.

Failure to follow these terms and conditions may result in parking enforcement action and potential vehicle removal.

Renewals

The permit holder is responsible for renewing the permit and you may wish to set your own reminder.

The permit terms and conditions changed in October 2024.

For information on these changes, see permit changes

If you wish to review the old terms, see Pre October 2024 parking permits term and conditions