Residents’ permit information and guidance

You can only apply for a parking permit for the home you live in. Permits help you park closer to your home during the day.

There is a limit of one permit per person and two permits per household.

Download residents' permits terms and conditions PDF, 50 KB Please contact residentsparking@edinburgh.gov.uk if you need help with this PDF.

Applications for more than one permit

Permit 1 is the first person to apply for a permit in a household. Permit 2 is the second person to apply from the same address. There is a surcharge on second permits. For more details on second permits, see the terms and conditions.

Permit parking information

A residents' parking permit does not guarantee you a parking place. Your permit only applies to your zone or priority parking area where you live.

Park your vehicle fully within a permit holders or shared use parking place within your zone.

'Permit holders only' parking places have signs with your zone or area number and the words 'Permit Holders Only' painted on the road. Words are not painted on the road in priority parking places.

Shared use parking places have signs saying Permit Holders or Pay at Machine, with the related zone number.

A parking permit does not entitle the holder to park on yellow or red lines or in places reserved for other users, such as disabled people or car club vehicles.

Find which zone you live in.

Permit purchase

You can buy residents' permits in 3, 6 or 12 month periods. Unless you're applying for a Band 1 permit which is only available as a 12 month permit. 

Please note, first time or new applications for a residents’ parking permit are now subject to a £50 annual surcharge for all diesel fuelled vehicles.  Existing residents, with diesel fuelled vehicles will be exempt from the surcharge for a 3-year period.  Permit holders are responsible for renewing their permit on time.  If you allow your permit to expire and therefore, need to complete a new application, the surcharge will apply.  Find out more about the diesel surcharge.

Exempt permits

Motorcyclists and disabled persons' blue badge holders can apply for a residents' permit free of charge.  You will not be subject to the diesel surcharge.

Merged permits

A merged parking permit allows two vehicles to be registered on one permit. Only one vehicle can use the permit at any time. The price of these permits will be based on the vehicle with the higher CO2 emissions or engine size band.

Since April 2021, all residents' permits are issued electronically. You will now be able to switch your merged permit between vehicles easily via your online account. Log into your permit account, and under “manage permits” click into your permit and then click into the “vehicles” tab and you will see which vehicle is currently selected as the primary vehicle. You should check the relevant box to indicate which is the primary vehicle.  Only the vehicle marked as the primary will show as having a valid permit.

Please ensure you remember to swap the permit to the relevant vehicle online or you may receive a parking ticket.

If you require any help accessing your account please email

residentsparking@edinburgh.gov.uk.

Controlled hours

Permit mews areas and permit parking areas

Only permit holders living in mews or permit parking areas can park within them.  There are signs at vehicle entrances displaying the mews or permit parking area number but there are no road markings within them.  If you are eligible to park within the mews or permit parking area, your permit will be associated with the mews or permit parking area number and will show in your online permit record within your account.  Mews and permit parking areas have the same hours of control as the zone they are within.

Changing your vehicle

If you need to use a courtesy car for up to 14 days, you should email us

residentsparking@edinburgh.gov.uk.

You need to provide proof of your vehicle being off the road and evidence linking you to the temporary vehicle. You cannot park until your request has been confirmed by residents parking section via email.

If you replace a car permanently we need documentation linking you to the new vehicle, such as insurance, vehicle registration document or garage invoice.  You cannot park your new vehicle until we have approved your request.

If there will be an overlapping period when you will have two vehicles, we can issue a permit for up to five days. 

Please note that if you are changing to a diesel vehicle you will be subject to a £50 annual surcharge.

If you are replacing an existing diesel vehicle and have not already paid a surcharge you will be liable for the charge upon making the change.

If you sell your car or move out of a controlled area, you must cancel your permit online. We will refund you your unused time, less a £10 admin charge. You may receive a parking ticket if you continue to use a parking permit after you have moved out of the area.

Read about temporary parking permits.

Moving home 

If you move within the same zone or area, you can amend your address details online and keep your virtual permit.

If you move to another zone or area, please email us at residentsparking@edinburgh.gov.uk so we can ensure this process goes smoothly for you.

If you have a diesel vehicle and have been exempt from the surcharge, moving house will not affect your exemption.

We can issue you with a temporary permit to allow you to park in your old zone for up to five days whilst you complete your move.

Refunds

If you cancel your permit, we will refund you your unused time from the date this is approved, less a £10 admin charge. We will attempt to refund directly back to the card used to pay. However, due to financial legislation we cannot refund a payment older than 180 days. We can instead, refund direct to your bank account. Please complete and return the permit refund form.

Vehicles

Your permit doesn't allow you to park

• a trailer
• while your vehicle is drawing a trailer
• a vehicle that carries more than 12 people
• a vehicle over 2.5m high.

Student housing

You can't buy a parking permit if you live in purpose-built student lodgings. Read about parking permits for students.