Residential parking areas and permits

Residential parking areas within Brisbane have parking restrictions at certain times. These are mainly located around hospitals, universities and sports stadiums. Residents can apply for a free parking permit for unrestricted parking on streets within a residential parking area or traffic area.

The residential parking areas include:

• Auchenflower, including the Wesley Hospital 
• Buranda
• Herston
• Highgate Hill
• Mt Gravatt
• Newstead
• Red Hill
• Sunnybank
• West End
• Windsor

Residents may also need a permit if they live within a traffic area. The traffic areas include:

• Ballymore
• Brisbane Central (excluding Roma Street)
• Dutton Park
• Suncorp Stadium
• Queensland Tennis Centre
• Robertson/MacGregor
• St Lucia
• The Gabba

The Brisbane Central Traffic Area does not include the Roma Street Parkland precinct. For enquiries about parking in this area, contact Roma Street Parkland.

Residential parking permits

Residential parking permits are free and allow residents to park unrestricted on the street in their area, with certain conditions.

Permit holders:

• are exempt from the signed traffic area time limit when parking near their property
• must clearly display their permit on the vehicle's windscreen or dashboard
• are able to park in metered parking bays signed 'resident permit excepted' (free of charge with no time restriction)
• may also park in other areas signed 'resident permit excepted' (with no time restriction)

Permits do not allow residents to park in designated statutory restricted areas, such as:

• clearway zones
• loading zones
• no stopping zones
• bus zones
• taxi zones

Permits that expire in 2009 are no longer valid and must not be displayed. Residents are required to apply for a new permit under the new Traffic Area/Resident Parking Scheme policy.

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible for a resident parking permit, residents must:

• be a primary owner occupier and/or tenant with a current lease of six months or more
• reside in a traffic area or a signed residential parking area

Permits are not issued to:

• visiting business staff or contractors who do not reside at the address
• non-resident landlords, hotel guests and occupants of serviced apartments
• people who do not reside at an address full-time
• residents in the Roma Street Parkland precinct

Permits can only be issued for cars or motorcycles. They will not be issued for boats, caravans, trucks, buses, tractors or other heavy vehicles. All traffic regulations must be adhered to by all other vehicles not eligible for a permit. Penalties may apply.

Eligible residents are entitled to one residential permit (non-transferable) for each vehicle registered to the address. Residents may also apply for up to two restricted visitor (transferable) permits per residence for use by genuine visitors or service vehicles.

NOTE: As a result of the January floods, residents in flood affected areas with current residential parking permits, who are still in the rebuilding phase and require multiple trades people to attend their residences, are eligible to apply for additional Restricted Visitor permits over and above the two permit allowance. These additional permits will be issued for three months from the date of issue and can be extended, if required, for a further three month period and will not require a site inspection to be made.

Residents with a company vehicle

A permit may be issued to a resident who uses and parks their company vehicle at their residential address. A letter accompanying the application must be submitted on company letterhead and signed by an appropriate company officer. The letter must state that the applicant is an employee and the vehicle is:

• normally used by the applicant
• parked at the address where the permit is being applied for

Apply for a permit

All documentation must be in the applicant's name and address. Incomplete applications cannot be processed until all documentation is received.

The application must include a:

• completed and signed application form
• copy of a recent rates notice (owner occupier) or a tenancy agreement (of six months or more) or a current utility bill
• copy of your vehicle registration certificate or vehicle transfer documents for each vehicle requiring a permit

A completed Statutory Declaration form may be required if the above documentation is not available. If the registration certificate is not available, a copy of your driver's licence (both sides) and the completed statutory declaration is required as proof of ownership.

Download the Traffic area/resident parking scheme permit application form - CC10221 (PDF - 204kb)

 Lodge the application by:

• mail to:

Brisbane City Council
Parking Permit Officer
GPO Box 5234
Brisbane Qld 4001

• fax to 07 3112 5914
• visiting Council* 

*Short-term or day permits will no longer be issued at Customer Service Centres or the Central Business Centre counter.

Applications cannot be lodged with the Plumbing Services Counter at Green Square.

Replacement permits

You may request a replacement permit if the label is:

• lost
• stolen
• destroyed
• damaged

To apply:

• complete the above permit application form (tick the appropriate permit box)
• complete and sign the Statutory Declaration section on the form
• return the damaged permit (where applicable)
• submit the application through any of the above channels

Vehicles must be parked legally until the replacement is received and attached to the vehicle.

Permit renewals

Council will write to current residential parking permit and restricted visitor permit holders approximately two months prior to the permit expiry date. A renewal notice and reply paid envelope will be included. Residents are encouraged to return the renewal notice to Council by the due date to avoid possible infringements.

A new application form will need to be lodged if you:

• are changing the vehicle registration details 
• have changed your name (through marriage etc) since your permit was issued (include a copy of the relevant certificate)

Proof of residency is not required for these changes. 

If your residential address has changed, a new application form will need to be lodged with proof of residency.

Renewals for additional visitor permits and restricted short-term permits must be applied for separately on a new application form.

Additional visitor permits

Residents may be eligible for additional restricted visitor permits above the standard issue. To apply, you must submit your case in writing to Council including any documentation to support your request. A site inspection may be required to determine the response. Additional permits are granted at the discretion of Council, taking into account the availability of parking in the streets requested.

NOTE: As a result of the January floods, residents in flood affected areas with current residential parking permits, who are still in the rebuilding phase and require multiple trades people to attend their residences are eligible to apply for additional Restricted Visitor permits over and above the two permit allowance. These additional permits will be issued for three months from the date of issue and can be extended, if required, for a further three month period and will not require a site inspection to be made.

Residents who wish to apply for these additional Restricted Visitor permits must do so in writing to Council and should be mailed to:

Brisbane City Council
Parking Permit Officer
GPO Box 5234
Brisbane Qld 4001

Any further extensions after this period will need to follow the standard application process for additional Restricted Visitor permits and may require a site inspection.

Restricted short-term permits

Short-term permits may be issued for:

• guests attending a private function or event at a residence within a traffic area or a residential parking area. Council should be notified at least 14 days prior to the event to allow for consideration of the application. Short-term permits for functions are only valid for up to two days maximum (permits for other reasons may be valid for up to a week) 
• residents without a current residential parking permit (must supply proof of residency with the short-term application) 
• residents with current residential parking permits (require no proof of residency in order for a short-term permit application to be processed)

Short-term permits may not be issued for:

• the central business district or for building or renovation purposes in any traffic area. Work zone exemptions issued by Council may be an alternative

The applicant must complete, sign and tick the appropriate box on the application form.

Download the Traffic area/resident parking scheme permit application form - CC10221 (PDF - 204kb)

 Lodge the application by:

• mail to:

Brisbane City Council
Parking Permit Officer
GPO Box 5234
Brisbane Qld 4001

• fax to 07 3112 5914
• visiting Council* 

*Short term or day permits will no longer be issued at Customer Service Centres or the Central Business Centre counter.

Applications cannot be lodged with the Plumbing Services Counter at Green Square.

For urgent circumstances contact Council on 07 3403 8888.