Business parking permits guidance

From Monday 5 May 2025 the pay and display charges are changing on all on-street and car parks. In addition, parking permit prices are also changing. Further details can be found on the Notice of Variation page

Parking permit applications processed before Monday 5 May 2025 will be charged at the current price and parking permit applications processed from Monday 5 May 2025 will be charged at the new price.

Where can I park with a business permit?

A business permit entitles the holder to park in any vacant business permit bay and, in certain pay and display car parks, within the controlled parking zone specified on the permit. A failure to display the correct permit for your zone could result in a penalty charge notice being issued.

Business permits are not valid for parking in suspended bays or for parking in resident permit bays, pay & display bays, yellow lines, off street housing estates and car parks except where otherwise stated by signs at the locations.

The restricted hours will be displayed at the entry points to the controlled parking zone and in some cases on signs adjacent to the bays.

Vehicles must park entirely within the bay markings.

Buying a parking permit will not guarantee that a parking space will be available and does not render the council subject to any liability in respect of loss or damage to any vehicle in a parking place or the contents or fittings of any such vehicle.

Your entitlement to a permit

Every business located within a controlled parking zone, which has permit parking, is entitled to apply for a business permit for use by their employees.

Suspended bays

The use of the parking bays may be suspended by police officers, parking attendants or by authorised council officers without prior notice. Parking is not permitted in suspended bays and even if a valid permit is displayed, a penalty charge notice will still be issued.

Where do I put my permit?

Please place your permit on the passenger side of your vehicle in the front windscreen. You are responsible for making sure that your permit can be seen clearly at all times.

A failure to display the relevant permit correctly could result in a penalty charge notice being issued.

Renewing your current permit

A business permit is valid for 6 or 12 months. You are responsible for renewing your permit when it expires - you will not be sent a reminder prior to the expiry date. We advise that you renew your permit at least three weeks before it runs out.

To renew your permit, please send a completed business permit renewal form (PDF 117KB), along with payment to the Parking Team.

Alternatively, please call the Parking Team on 020 8708 3636 and a form will be sent to you.

Completing the permit application/renewal form

To apply for a business permit you will need to provide proof of your employment at the business, proof of the business location and proof of vehicle ownership. You will need to upload electronic versions of each of the documents below. Please ensure you have copies ready to upload as you progress through the form.

For proof of employment:

a payslip dated within the last three months as proof of your employment at the business

For proof of business location please provide one of the following documents:

a council business rates bill
a utility bill dated within the last three months
an original item of current printed business stationery showing the trading address

If you are the registered owner of the vehicle, please provide one of the following documents as proof of ownership, clearly showing your name, address and registration number:

vehicle registration document (V5C)
sales invoice for the vehicle (only a formal invoice will be accepted, hand written receipts are not sufficient)
valid Certificate of Insurance/Policy schedule

If you are not the registered owner of the vehicle (e.g. the vehicle is a company car, lease car, rental car), please upload one of the following documents as proof that you have the right to use the vehicle:

a signed and dated letter from your employer (if using a company car) stating that you are an employee of the company and giving the vehicle registration number and address where the vehicle will be kept.
a copy of the vehicle log book or lease agreement showing the vehicle is registered to that company
a hiring/leasing agreement
a valid certificate of insurance and policy schedule.

The process of applying for a business parking permit should take no more than 20 minutes

Changing your details

If you need to change your details, you must complete a change of details form (PDF 98KB).

Alternatively, please call the Parking Team on 020 8708 3636 to request that a form be sent to you.

Changing the business address

If the business has relocated to different property within the same controlled parking zone you can continue to use your existing permit but you must let us know the new address and send us proof. Please complete a change of details form to advise us of the changes.

If the business has relocated to a different property within another controlled parking zone you must not alter your existing permit. Any alterations made to a permit will make it invalid. Instead you must return your original permit together with proof of the new business location. A replacement permit will be issued which will show the same expiry date as your previous permit. You are required to pay an administration charge of £25.00 for this service. Please complete a change of details form to advise us of the changes.

Changing your name

Change of vehicle

If you have changed your vehicle you must not alter your existing permit. Any alterations made to a permit will make it invalid. Instead you must return your original permit, together with your new proof of vehicle ownership. A replacement permit will be issued which will show the same expiry date as your previous permit. You are required to pay an administration charge of £25.00 for this service. Please complete a change of details form to advise us of the changes.

Lost or stolen permits

If your permit has been lost then a new application will have to be made at the full permit rate. If your permit has been stolen, a replacement can be ordered, you will need to complete a Changes, Replacements and Refunds form (PDF 98KB) and supply the required documentation, the replacement permit will show the same expiry date as your previous permit. You are required to pay an administration charge of £25.00 for this service.

Refunds

The permit remains the property of the London Borough of Redbridge. It is issued subject to the relevant traffic management orders of the London Borough of Redbridge, which may be varied.

Permits cannot be transferred between individuals. If a permit is no longer required it should be returned the Parking Management Office, whereby if requested a refund will be issued for each full calendar month left on the permit. The administration fee of £25.00 will be deducted and a cheque will be issued to you for the remaining balance. If we have to cancel your permit because of fraud or misuse then you will not be eligible for a refund.

Enforcement & Regulations

The Council is responsible for enforcing parking bays and restrictions. Civil enforcement officers regularly patrol the area to ensure adequate enforcement and any driver of an unauthorised parked vehicle will be liable to be issued with a penalty charge notice.

Reporting permit fraud

We try to make sure that only eligible people hold a permit and every effort is made to detect fraudulent applications and permit use. If you think that someone is using a permit they are not entitled to, please call the Parking Team on 020 8708 3636.

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