Trade permits and parking waivers – sometimes called dispensations, allow contractors, landlords and agents special permission to park on restricted roads across Devon whilst working at or on an adjacent property. Please note, these permits are not accepted by Torbay Borough Council or Plymouth City Council who each operate similar schemes of their own. If working in their areas, please visit their websites for information.
You don’t need one of these permits if you’re:
- moving in to or out of a property – sign written removal vans are exempt when loading and unloading unless there are yellow kerb markings to indicate that there is a ban on loading
- in a wedding or funeral car – these are exempt for the service, but any private cars attending a service are not
- attending to an emergency involving gas, electric, water, sewerage, roofing or building collapse and are making it safe – the exemption does not include time taken to make repairs so you will need to find a parking space whilst repairs are made
- attending a pre-booked appointment to service a gas appliance – sign written vans displaying service provider’s name, e.g. British Gas
The Council has 3 permit options: Annual, Daily and Weekly. Charges and Terms and conditions for trade parking permits and waivers vary according to type. View current permit charges.
These permits are issued at the discretion of the Council who reserve the right to decline any application it feels does not meet our criteria, or withdraw a permit if misuse is discovered. Trade permit are not valid in any public or private off-street car parks.
These permits are intended for use by local tradespeople who regularly work across the County to carry out property maintenance, repairs, servicing or building works at a property where it is essential to park at or close to that property to do the work, and there are no other viable parking options available only.
Typically the holder’s vehicle will be a commercial vehicle, but may be an estate car or SUV type car capable of carrying tools or materials to be stored or used onsite by the permit holder.
The permit cannot be used solely to make parking near the workplace easier or cheaper for the permit holder. Unless you need regular access to tools that can only be stored in your vehicle and not onsite, you should park elsewhere or share travel with other workmates.
Annual trade permits may not be granted for applicants who specialise on fixed term contracts to refurbish or redevelop existing properties.
Existing neighbouring residents and business permit users cannot be adversely impacted by additional contractors bringing vehicles with them that cannot be accommodated onsite or elsewhere for the duration of that site’s redevelopment or repairs.
If it is essential to have use of a vehicle at these sites a daily or weekly permit application can be applied for and that application’s merits will be considered.
Annual Trade Permits cannot be used solely for commuting or for personal parking purposes and may be considered invalid if used within a 1 mile radius of the holder’s registered address and where the permit was posted to. They cannot be used to in lieu of a resident parking permit or to gain an additional parking permit by a permit holder living within a resident permit only controlled zone.
Daily or weekly trade permits afford the user exemptions (if approved) to use Limited Waiting, Resident, Pay & Display spaces when working for the duration of the planned works to be done.
Daily or weekly waiver permits include use of yellow lines if no other on road parking can be used and impact on other road users is safely manageable. These are road name and location specific. The applicant must select where they want the permit for when applying. They cannot be used at any other location. These require applying in advance no less than 48 hours before start date of the planned works.
Annual Permits require pre approval via a registration process. If approved they allow the holder to use resident permit only and limited waiting spaces for the duration of the works to be done and can be used at multiple job sites for the period it is valid. These are more affordable than daily or weekly permits and can be renewed annually, however they can only be used in these two restriction types. No permit guarantees a parking space. Short stay books can be used for on-street pay and display spaces if required.