Last updated: 27 March 2024

Next review: 27 March 2025

Businesses can apply for permits to allow their visitors to park within their controlled parking zone or to carry out works across the borough.

Virtual business visitor permits are now available and can be bought by the hour. They can be topped up online and each business is entitled to a maximum of 520 hours per rolling 12 month period.

From Tuesday 27 February 2024 visitor permits can only be purchased virtually using the RingGo app. Any physical scratch cards that you still have in your possession will remain valid indefinitely.

Refunds are not available on visitor permit or scratch card purchases and all zone visitor permit requests must be made by e-mailing wfpshop@nsl.co.uk and a member of staff will be in contact with you.

You can apply if you’re a business, contractor or sub-contractor based in Waltham Forest or carrying out work within a controlled parking zone. If you are a landlord with a property based in Waltham Forest you can also apply for business visitor permits, for contractors/builders/tradesmen etc. 

How much do business visitor parking permits cost?

Permit typeCost
Single zone£2.20 /hour
All zones£3.00 /hour

 

What evidence do I need to provide?

Proof of business address:

Letter from employer (on company headed paper) confirming your:

  • name
  • address
  • employment status
  • vehicle registration, make, model, colour
  • reason for use of vehicle
  • if applying as a landlord, proof of ownership/council tax responsibility

Apply for a business visitor permit

Waltham Forest Council retains the right to carry our random checks on permits in order to check the information supplied in the application.

Online

You can apply for a new business visitor permit online.

You’ll need to:

  • register your account to use the service if you haven’t already
  • have a debit or credit card read to pay for your permit
  • have copies of your documents of proof

Photos of documents of proof will be accepted in the following file formats: DOC, DOCX, PDF, GIF, PNG or JPEG file.

You may not need to upload any documents of proof during your application but you may be asked to supply copies of those documents at a later date.

If you don’t supply documents when asked, your permit may be cancelled and your vehicle will become subject to enforcement action.

Please allow 1 working day to receive a response from the parking control office about your online requests.

By post

To apply by post you’ll need to:

  • fill out an application form fully
  • send payment and
  • provide documents of proof

Your application will be disregarded if you do not supply us with your telephone number and valid email address on your application form.

Payment should be made by cheque or postal order payable to 'LBWF'. Please do not send cash through the post.

Download a controlled parking business visitor permit application form (PDF file).

To get an application form sent to you by post, please contact our permit team by email wfpshop@nsl.co.uk or call them on 0203 092 0112, option 3 for assistance.

Tell us your full name and postal address, and an application form will be sent to you the next working day.

Queries and help with your application

If you need a postal application form, or this permit doesn't meet your needs please contact our permit team by email wfpshop@nsl.co.uk or call them on 0203 092 0112, option 3 for assistance.

Where you cannot park

Business permits are not available for the Millicent and Dagenham Zone (MD zone) or valid for parking anywhere within the borough in:

  • emergency services bays
  • market traders bays (MT)
  • catering bays (CAT)
  • short stay bays
  • PayByPhone or Pay and Display only bays
  • car parks
  • bays designated for a specific reason (for example: loading bays) 
  • any bay that has been suspended
  • or on yellow lines.

Things you should know

Please also note that:

  • This permit is valid only on passenger and goods vehicles up to 1950 gross vehicle weight
  • Any vehicle not having a valid virtual visitor permit may be issued a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) and may be subjected to further enforcement action
  • The issue of a permit does not guarantee the user a parking space
  • The council has the right to suspend parking at any time
  • The information that is provided on the application form may be passed onto third parties by the council in line with the Data Protection Act 1998 (as amended) in order to help prevent fraud
  • Business visitor permits are not subject to refunds
  • Submission of the permit application form is confirmation that you agree to its terms and conditions of use
  • The permit is only valid in the zone purchased for
  • The permit is only valid on vehicles with a current road fund licence
  • The issue of a permit does not guarantee the user a parking space
  • Please ensure you renew your permit before it expires – the responsibility for renewals rests with the permit holder
  • The information on this form may be used by the council in line with the Data Protection Act 1998 (as amended) and it may be passed within the council or to other agencies in order to help prevent fraud
  • If fraudulent applications are detected or if terms of use are breached this permit will not be valid and the associated vehicle will be subject to enforcement action
  • Submission of the permit application form is confirmation that you agree to its terms and conditions of use

Contact

Opening times

Monday:
Tuesday:
Wednesday:
Thursday:
Friday:
9am to 5pm
9am to 5pm
9am to 5pm
9am to 5pm
9am to 5pm
Parking Services

PO Box 74924, 
London
E17 0UG

Lines are open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm (closed public holidays) 

Help with completing online forms

For those without computers, you can use a self-service PC in any Waltham Forest Library

Staff there can help you to log in and create a MyAccount.