Resident visitor parking permit

Residents can apply for permits to allow their visitors to park within their controlled parking zone. 

Virtual visitor permits are now available and can be

• bought by the hour
• topped up online

Each household is entitled to a maximum of 520 hours per rolling 12 month period

When using virtual permits in a controlled parking zone (CPZ) which is over 8 hours in length, you will only need to purchase 8 hours of time which will cover the entire period of the CPZ.

Refunds are not available on visitor permit purchases.

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.

We understand that there may be residents that do not have internet access or a smartphone/computer. For residents in such circumstances, we have the following options available.

We have a dedicated phone-line, staffed by knowledgeable personnel, who can assist residents with any issues related to the digital permit system. This phone-line provides personalised support, answers to questions, and guides users.  Contact the permit team on 0203 092 0112 and select option three for assistance.

There is also an automated Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system where residents can access a variety of options by using the keypad on their phone and voice recognition technology.  Residents need to register online/by calling our permit team to be able to purchase virtual visitor permits, residents can then purchase parking sessions for their visitors when they arrive. To book visitor permits call 0203 046 0005 from the phone number you have registered on your parking permit account. 

In addition, family members, carers or friends can order visitor permits on the behalf of a resident (nominated persons). The account holder can nominate an additional user(s) on their account who will have access to purchase visitors’ sessions from that point on. The nominated person can then call the permit team to call off parking sessions. Residents can revoke nominated persons access at any time. To set this up please call the permit team on 0203 092 0112, option three,

You can apply if you live within a Waltham Forest controlled parking zone this includes residents that live within a car-free development.

Households with a minimum of 1 resident over the age of 60 are automatically entitled to 90 free hours, within a rolling 12 month period.

Households with a new born baby are entitled to 30 free hours within the first 3 months of their child’s birth.

Proof of age and residency will be needed and normal charges will apply for additional hours.

Residents undergoing maintenance work can ask their contractors to apply for visitor permits so not to affect the resident visitor permit annual purchase threshold.

Depending on the how long the works take place they may be entitled to purchase a business permit or parking dispensation.

For more advice please contact our permit team by

• email wfpshop@nsl.co.uk
• or call them on 0203 092 0112, option 3 for assistance. 

Alternatively, depending on the length of the works, it may be more cost effective to apply for a resident trader permit.  This is applied directly by the resident but is for the traders use. 

Full time carers in receipt of DWP allowance can apply for free carers permit. 

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

You'll need to:

• register your account to use the service if you haven’t already
• have a debit or credit card ready 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.

Please allow 1 working day to receive a response from the parking control office about your pending online applications(s).

By post

To apply by post you’ll need to:

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

Download postal visitor application form (PDF file)

To get an application form sent to you by post, call Waltham Forest Parking Control Office on 0203 092 0112 and select option 3.

Provide your full name and postal address and your application form will be sent to you the next working day.

See controlled parking zones to find out which zone you are in.

If you don't fill in your form fully it will cause a significant delay to the process of getting your permit.

If you don’t provide telephone and email contact details in your application your application will be disregarded and your permit won't be issued.

Proof of where you live

You must provide 2 original paper documents, dated within the last 3 months with your current name and address, for example:

• The current year’s council tax bill or statement
• Utility Bill dated within the last three months
• Rent Book or lease agreement
• Bank or building society statement dated within the last three months
• A valid driving license
• A valid car insurance certificate

We do NOT accept:

• Mobile phone bills
• Debit or credit cards 

Online permit

You can’t use resident visitor permits to park 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.

Make sure you renew your virtual parking permit before it expires. The responsibility for renewals rests with you and we don’t send reminders.

Please also note that:

• information on forms submitted 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
• this permit is valid only on passenger and goods vehicles up to 1950 kg gross vehicle weight
• any vehicle not holding a valid visitor permit session 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
• 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

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.