Alerts

Residential parking permits

Residential parking permits allow you to park on or close to the street you live on all day with no restrictions. However, the permit does not allow you to park in 'no stopping' areas, car parks, loading zones, or parking spaces with 30 minutes or less timed restrictions. A permit does not guarantee that there will always be a parking spot available for you.

You can read our Parking Management Policy (PDF) to find out more.

Who can apply for a residential parking permit

To apply for a residential parking permit, you must live on a street that has timed parking restrictions.

Important Information

  • Properties that have been subdivided after 31 August 2011 (for example, newer townhouses and apartments), are ineligible for residential parking permit.
  • Properties are only eligible if they are recognised as a residential property. Properties that are classed as commercial or short term accommodation (e.g. boarding house, hotel) are not eligible.
  • Residential Tenancy agreements must also be greater than 6 months.
  • If your property has a driveway/crossover or you reside in a dwelling with a shop below or attached, you are only eligible for 1 residential parking permit.
  • Residential parking permits are valid for the street you reside on, unless you reside on a corner property (you can nominate a street to which your property borders) or an artierial road (you will be allocated the closest side street). 

You can search for your address eligibility on our property eligibility search tool, if you're unsure if this includes your property or not.

Find out if your property is eligible

  • Each eligible property can have up to 2 parking permits. 

    If you have a driveway/crossover or you reside in a dwelling with a shop below or attached, you are only eligible for 1 permit.

    Each permit is valid for 1 vehicle at a time. 

  • To apply for a residential parking permit, you will need all of the following:

    • a valid email address
    • a VISA or MasterCard credit or debit card
    • a concession card if you are paying a concession fee

    You will also need to prove that you live at your address with a Proof of residency document.

    A Proof of residency document must be one of the following:

    • driver's licence (with your current address)
    • rates notice
    • lease agreement
    • utility bill (this cannot be a mobile phone bill)

  • The first residential parking permit attached to a property will cost $48.10, or $23.90 with a concession card*.

    If you get a second permit, it will cost $135, or $67.80 with a concession card*.

    *To claim the concession card discount, you must provide evidence that you hold a current valid Commonwealth Issued Pensioner Concession Card, Healthcare Card or Veteran's Affairs Gold Card TPI/War Widow. 

  • The terms and conditions for a Residential Parking Permit are:

    • This permit does not guarantee parking will be available in the nominated street or zone.
    • Resident parking permits are not transferable to another street or zone. The permit is assigned to one vehicle at a given time.
    • The renewal of permits is the responsibility of the permit holder. The permit expiry date can be viewed via your PayStay account.
    • If you park in an area not for general parking, outside legitimate permitted parking bays/areas or in contravention to any other Road Rule, you may be fined or your vehicle towed away.
    • Council reserves the right to withdraw or cancel any permit that is used in contravention of Merri-bek City Council’s parking management policy or General Local Law 2018.
    • The permit is only valid for registered vehicles and excludes a boat, bus, trailer, truck, caravan, motorcycle or vehicles greater than 4.5 tonnes or 12 metres in length.
    • Permit holders are prohibited from selling, leasing or accepting money for a permit and/or allowing any other person to use a permit in contravention of this policy or the conditions of use of the permit.

    Residential Parking Permits are not valid for:

    • Any area with a restriction of 30 minutes or less.
    • Main arterial roads (e.g. Sydney Road, Lygon Street, Bell Street, Holmes Road, Pascoe Vale Road).
    • Shopping strips, Council operated off-street car parks or metered areas.
    • Designated statutory restricted areas such as no stopping zones, bus zones, clearway or tow away zones, taxi zones and loading zones.

    The permit holder is responsible for notifying Council if any of the following occur:

    • A permit holder disposes of a vehicle to which a permit applies.
    • A permit holder changes their residential address (if applicable).
    • The previous permit will be cancelled and no refund will be given.

Applying for a residential parking permit

The permit you apply for will be an ePermit. You can apply online for this through PayStay. If you do not already have a PayStay account, you will have to sign up for one.

  • You can apply online for a Residential Parking Permit through your PayStay account. If you do not already have a PayStay account, you will have to sign up for one.

    If you already have a PayStay account please skip to Step 2.

    Step 1 – Creating an account

    To create an account you need to:

    • Visit the Merri-bek City Council login area on the PayStay website
    • Select 'Sign up' to create a PayStay account and follow the instructions to enter your residential address and contact details

    Step 2 – Apply for Parking Permit

    To apply for a parking permit you need to:

    • Visit (or continue using) the Merri-bek City Council login area on the PayStay website
    • Ensure your details are correct in the user detail/profile (shown on the top right hand side of the page)
    • On the left hand side of the page there will be a heading that says ‘Apply for…’ - select the 'Residential' option
    • The permit type you need will be 1st Resident
    • Change the start date to the day you are applying (the application date)
    • Answer the questions to fill in the application.

    Repeat Step 2 if you are eligible and require a 2nd resident permit.

    The documents you will need to attach to the application are:

    • Proof of residency (drivers licence, utility bill, rates notice)
    • Concession Card

  • Once our Business Support Team has granted your application you will receive a confirmation email and your ePermit will become active.

    Our officers can search your vehicle registration number on our system and see if you have a valid permit. This means that you do not have to display your permit on your dashboard.

  • Update a vehicle registration on the PayStay app

    You can update a vehicle registration on the PayStay app by:

    • Logging in to the PayStay app on your phone
    • Selecting ePermits (bottom of the app)
    • Selecting the ePermit you need to update
    • Selecting 'edit vehicle details' and updating these details

    Update vehicle registration on the PayStay website

    You can update a vehicle registration on the PayStay website by:

    • Log in to your PayStay account through the Merri-bek City Council login area on the PayStay website
    • On the permit you would like to update, click 'Update Vehicle' button (under Manage Vehicle).
    • Then on 'Select Option' choose 'Edit Vehicle'.
    • Select your current vehicle registration number, delete it and add the details of the new one.
    • Click OK to update the vehicle registration immediately.

  • All permits expire on 30 November each year. If you wish to keep using your permit, you need to renew by this date each year. We will send you a notice 30 days before your permit expires, and you can follow the instructions to renew it.

    If you park using an expired permit you may be fined.

    Please note: if you elected for your permit to expire prior to 30 November and still require a permit, you need to submit a new permit application.

  • You can update your payment details on the PayStay website by:

  • If your permit expires on 30 November please follow the below instructions:

    Desktop web browser instructions:

    • Log into PayStay account on the PayStay website
    • Locate your expiring permit
    • Open your expiring permit by selecting the permit number
    • Click renew (at the top of the permit)
    • Attach proof of residency on the 2-document tab of the pop-up window
    • Click ok

    Repeat steps if you hold a 2nd resident permit. 

    Smart device web browser instructions:

    • Log into PayStay account on the PayStay website
    • Locate your expiring permit
    • Open your expiring permit by selecting the permit number
    • Click on the down arrow at the top of your permit
    • Click renew (from drop down options)
    • Attach proof of residency on the 2-document tab of the pop-up window
    • Click ok

    Repeat steps if you hold a 2nd resident permit. 

    Documents you need to attach to your application

    If you are making an application to renew your ePermit, you will need to provide your:

    • Proof of residency (drivers licence, utility bill, rates notice)
    • Concession Card (if applicable)

    If you are having trouble applying please check out our FAQ's. 

    Please note: if you elected for your permit to expire prior to 30 November and still require a permit, you need to submit a new permit application.

  • ePermits are a quick and easy way to apply for or renew your resident parking permit. You will need a PayStay account to manage your application and/or renewal process and your ePermit can be linked to an existing PayStay account or you can create a new one.

    There are many advantages to using a PayStay account – no paper permits, ease of applying for and managing your permit in your own time, and email alerts being sent prior to your permit expiry.

    If you don’t have a PayStay account call us on 9240 1111, email us at citysafety@merri-bek.vic.gov.au or drop into the Coburg Civic Centre at 90 Bell St Coburg and we’ll help you apply for or renew your parking permit.

  • If you are having trouble applying please read through our ePermit FAQ and User Guide (DOC 5MB).

    After reading the user guide, if you still require any additional assistance with your application please email citysafety@merri-bek.vic.gov.au with a screenshot of your concern if available. A staff member will contact you within 3 business days.

  • Boats, bus, trailer, truck, caravan, motorcycle or vehicles greater than 4.5 tonnes or 12 metres in length are not elible for resident parking permits.

How to renew your residential parking permit

If your permit expires on 30 November please follow the below instructions:

  • If your permit expires on 30 November please follow the below instructions:

    Desktop web browser instructions:

    • Log into PayStay account on the PayStay website
    • Locate your expiring permit
    • Open your expiring permit by selecting the permit number
    • Click renew (at the top of the permit)
    • Attach proof of residency on the 2-document tab of the pop-up window
    • Click ok

    Repeat steps if you hold a 2nd residential permit. 

    Documents you need to attach to your application

    If you are making an application to renew your ePermit, you will need to provide your:

    • Proof of residency (drivers licence, utility bill, rates notice)
    • Concession Card (if applicable)

    Please note: if you elected for your permit to expire prior to 30 November and still require a permit, you need to submit a new permit application.

  • If your permit expires on 30 November please follow the below instructions:

    Smart device web browser instructions:

    • Log into PayStay account on the PayStay website
    • Locate your expiring permit
    • Open your expiring permit by selecting the permit number
    • Click on the down arrow at the top of your permit
    • Click renew (from drop down options)
    • Attach proof of residency on the 2-document tab of the pop-up window
    • Click ok

    Repeat steps if you hold a 2nd residential permit. 

    Documents you need to attach to your application

    If you are making an application to renew your ePermit, you will need to provide your:

    • Proof of residency (drivers licence, utility bill, rates notice)
    • Concession Card (if applicable)

    Please note: if you elected for your permit to expire prior to 30 November and still require a permit, you need to submit a new permit application.

  • After reading the user guide, if you still require any additional assistance with your application please email citysafety@merri-bek.vic.gov.au with a screenshot of your concern if available. A staff member will contact you within 3 business days.

    If you are having trouble applying please read through our ePermit FAQ and User Guide (DOC 5MB).

If you elected for your permit to expire prior to 30 November and still require a permit, you need to submit a new permit application.