Visitor and services permits

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

Visitor permits

Visitor permits allow people who are visiting residents to park on your street. We have two types of visitor permits available. These permits allow visitors to park in all areas with green-timed parking restrictions 1 hour or more on your street. Visitor permits do not allow visitors to park in red sign areas e.g. 'Clearway', 'No stopping', or 'Loading zone' signs.

  • These visitor permits are sold in books of 10 daily scratch tickets (hard copy or electronic passes available).

    • Each ticket allows the visitor to park for that day only.
    • The visitor must always display the ticket on the left hand side of their dashboard.

    It costs $28.05 or $14 with a concession card to buy a book of 10 scratch tickets.

    You can apply for one if:

    • you live on a street with timed parking restrictions and
    • the property has not been subdivided after 2011.

  • You can apply for a weekly parking permit if:

    • you live on a street with green timed parking restrictions and
    • the property was not subdivided after 2011.

    This permit costs $14.35 or $7.20 with a concession card.

    This permit is only valid for the set week you applied for.

Find out if you are eligible for visitor parking permits

To find out if you can apply for visitor parking permits, you can search for your property to check.

Search for Property Eligiblity

If your property is ineligible for a visitor parking permit but you need someone to be able to come and visit you (for example, to provide care), you can still apply for a visitor parking permit. You will need a letter of support from a doctor, social worker, caseworker, or similar.

  • When you apply for this type of visitors permit, you must include proof that you live at the address the permit is for. This proof must be one of the following documents:

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

    A concession card must be provided if applying for the concession fee.

    Physical book of 10 daily visitor scratch tickets

    You can apply for a hard copy book of 10 visitor daily parking permit on our eServices website.

    Alternatively, you can apply by filling in the Parking permit application form (PDF 547Kb) and:

    • taking it to one of our customer service centres. You can find the locations of our customer service centres on our Contact us page.
    • mailing it with a cheque or money order to Merri-bek City Council, Locked Bag 10, Brunswick 3056.

    Once your application is approved, your physical permits will be posted to you within two weeks of applying for them. These times may vary depending on AusPost demand.

    Electronic book of 10 visitor permits

    If you have a PayStay account you can apply online for a visitor's ePermit on the PayStay website. If you do not already have a PayStay account, you can sign up for one to receive your visitor permits electronically.

    Once your application is approved, your electronic permits will be immediately available on your PayStay account.

  • When you apply for this type of visitors permit, you must include proof that you live at the address the permit is for. This proof must be one of the following:

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

    A concession card must be provided if applying for the concession fee.

    You can apply for a weekly visitors permit by filling in the Parking permit application form (PDF 547Kb) and then:

    • taking it to one of our customer service centres. You can find the locations of our customer service centres on our Contact us page.
    • mailing it with a cheque or money order to Merri-bek City Council, Locked Bag 10, Brunswick 3056.
    • emailing us at citysafety@merri-bek.vic.gov.au and once processed an invoice will be sent to you for payment. Please note permits will not be issued until payment is received.

    You will receive your permit in the mail within two weeks of applying for it. These times may vary depending on AusPost demand.

  • If you lose or damage your weekly visitor permit, you must fill in a statutory declaration. You can then:

    You will need to pay a replacement fee of $31.60 for each permit you need to be replaced.

    Once we have received your statutory declaration, we will send you an invoice so that you can pay for your new permit. You can pay using the details listed on the invoice. After this is paid, we will send you a new permit.

    Until you receive your new permit, you must park legally and observe parking restrictions in the street.

  • Ensure you have checked your property's eligibility. 

    If you are still having trouble please refer to our ePermit Application User Guide (DOC 5MB) for assistance.

    You can email citysafety@merri-bek.vic.gov.au for assistance if you are still having trouble after reviewing the user guide.

Service permits

If you are a tradesperson, removalist, or any other service provider who needs to park outside a person's house, you may need a service permit. This permit will let you park on the street that you are providing a service on all day.

This permit is valid for up to 4 weeks and will cost $23.20 per week.

Residents who have service providers completing work at their house can apply for this permit. The service provider can also apply for this permit, but they will need a letter or email from the resident giving consent.

When you apply for a service permit you will need to attach proof of services taking place, e.g. a quote including service dates from your contractor (removalists, tradesperson). 

Service permits are only required if there are timed parking restrictions in your street. 

  • You can buy up to 3 permits across 12 months.

    To apply for them, you will need to attach proof of your address and proof of services taking place e.g. quote for removalist/tradesperson.

    You can then apply for the service permit  on our eServices website.

  • If you lose or damage your service permit, you must fill in a statutory declaration. You can then:

    You will need to pay an administration fee of $31.60 for each permit you need replaced.

    Once we have received your statutory declaration, we will send you an invoice so that you can pay for you new permit. You can pay using the details listed on the invoice. After this is paid, we will send you a new permit.

    Until you receive your new permit, you must park legally and observe parking restrictions in the street.

Home Visit permit

Home Visit Permits are for sole traders or organisations that provide essential health and support services at clients’ homes in areas where unrestricted parking is limited.

Applicants must be able to show that they provide services for the vulnerable or disadvantaged people.

The purpose of the home visit permit is to provide access to longer-term parking for organisations/sole traders that deliver health care, support services, Council home maintenance services, etc. at clients’ homes in areas where access to unrestricted parking is limited.

This permit is intended to facilitate parking for organisations/sole traders who provide services for vulnerable or disadvantaged people, and is not intended to include services such as general home cleaning and maintenance. Visitor or service permits may be appropriate for these purposes.

    1. The Home Visit Permit exempts the vehicle from on-street timed parking areas of 1-hour or above.
    2. Home Visit Permits are not valid on:
      1. Any area with a restriction of 30 minutes or less.
      2. Main arterial roads (e.g. Sydney Road, Lygon Street, Bell Street, Holmes Road, Pascoe Vale Road).
      3. Shopping strips, Council operated off-street car parks or metered areas.
      4. Designated statutory restricted areas such as no stopping zones, bus zones, clearway or tow away zones, taxi zones and loading zones.
    3. The Home Visit Permit is only valid for registered vehicles. The Home Visit Permit is not valid for a boat, bus, trailer, truck, caravan, motorcycle or vehicles greater than 4.5 tonnes or 12 metres in length.

  • Sole Traders are eligible to one (1) Home Visit Permit.

    Organisation are eligible to as many Home Visit Permits that they need.

  • Each Home Visit Permit is $46.35.

    The cost is reviewed annually as part of Council’s budget process.

    1. The Home Visit Permit is for people and organisations that deliver essential health and support services at clients’ homes in areas where unrestricted parking is limited.
    2. The Home Visit Permit is an electronic permit (ePermit) linked to the vehicle registration number and therefore no permit is required to be displayed on the vehicle.
    3. It is the permit holder responsibility to update or change the vehicle registration linked to their ePermit if they change their vehicle/s.
    4. The Home Visit Permit exempts the vehicle from on-street timed parking areas of 1-hour or above.
    5. Home Visit Permits are not valid on:
      1. Any area with a restriction of 30 minutes or less.
      2. Main arterial roads (e.g. Sydney Road, Lygon Street, Bell Street, Holmes Road, Pascoe Vale Road).
      3. Shopping strips, Council operated off-street car parks or metered areas.
      4. Designated statutory restricted areas such as no stopping zones, bus zones, clearway or tow away zones, taxi zones and loading zones.
    6. The Home Visit Permit is only valid for registered vehicles. The Home Visit Permit is not valid for a boat, bus, trailer, truck, caravan, motorcycle or vehicles greater than 4.5 tonnes or 12 metres in length.
    7. 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.
    8. Council delegated officers may review eligibility before the expiry of the Home Visit Permit when misuse of the permit is suspected. Failure to adhere to the Terms and Conditions of this permit may result in an infringement notice being issued and/or cancellation of the permit.

  • For Sole Traders:

    • a valid email address
    • a VISA or MasterCard credit or debit card
    • an Australian Business Number (ABN)
    • Proof of support services for residents of Merri-bek
    • A signed letter that summarises the types of services provided and how these benefit vulnerable or disadvantaged people in Merri bek. The application must include a declaration that the home visit permits will only be used when providing services at clients’ homes, and not for other purposes.
    • PayStay account 

    For Organisations:

    • a valid email address
    • a VISA or MasterCard credit or debit card
    • an Australian Business Number (ABN)
    • A letter signed by an authorised senior representative (e.g. CEO, director, general manager) that summarises the types of services provided and how these benefit vulnerable or disadvantaged people in Merri bek. The application must include a declaration that the home visit permits will be used by the organisation’s staff only when providing services at clients’ homes, and not for other purposes.
    • PayStay account 

    The Home Visit Permit is an electronic permit (ePermit). Applications can be made via PayStay. If you do not have a PayStay Account, you will need to sign up for one.

     

  • The Home Visit Permit is an electronic permit (ePermit). Applications can be made via PayStay. If you do not have a PayStay Account, you will need 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 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 – Applying for a Home Visit Permit

    To apply for a Home Visit 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 'Home Visit Permit' option
    • Choose the Permit type from the drop-down option (Organisation Permit or Sole Trader permit).
    • After selecting the Permit type, the form will load for you to complete. Complete the information on the form (Some of the details are pre-filled from your Profile)
    • Add the required document/s.
    • Read the Terms and Conditions of the Home Visit Permit and then tick “I have read and understand the terms and conditions” to indicate that you understood the terms and conditions of the permit.
    • Click Submit.

    Important: If you are applying on behalf of an organisation, you will need to repeat the above steps for each permit you are applying for. For example, if you are applying for 5 permits because the organisation has 5 vehicles, then you need to do the above steps 5 times (1 for each vehicle).

     

  • The Home Visit Permit is an electronic permit (ePermit) so you will not receive a physical permit to be displayed on your vehicle. Each permit is linked to the vehicle registration number you entered when you applied for a permit.

    Upon approval of your permit, you will receive an email confirming that the permit has been granted. This email will show the permit number, the vehicle registration number linked to the ePermit and the expiry date.

  • 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.

  • ​

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

    • Log in to your PayStay account through the PayStay website
    • Edit your payment details

  • 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

    REMINDER: If you have more than 1 permit, you will need to do the steps again for each permit for your renewal application to be received.

The Merri-bek User Pays Parking Permit

The Merri-bek User Pays Parking Permit is a permit that lets you park in on-street parking bays with timed restrictions for a longer time. This permit does not let you park long-term in areas with restrictions of 30 minutes or shorter, or where there are signs that say permits are not accepted.

This type of permit is useful if you frequently need to park on a certain street (for example, near your work) for a long time.

  • Anyone can apply for this permit.

    You need to request the permit for a certain street when you apply, and the permit will generally be granted for use on this street. Occasionally, we may issue the permit instead for a alternative street. We will discuss with you if needed.

  • The fees for a User Pays Permit are:

    • $116* for the first month within a 12 month period
    • $347.50* for any months after that within the 12 month period

    *Prices are subject to change

  • If you lose or damage your  permit, you must fill in a statutory declaration. You can then:

    You will need to pay an administration fee of $31.60 for each permit you need replaced.

    Once we have received your statutory declaration, we will send you an invoice so that you can pay for you new permit. You can pay using the details listed on the invoice. After this is paid, we will send you a new permit.

    Until you receive your new permit, you must park legally and observe parking restrictions in the street.

You can apply for a Merri-bek user pays permit on our eServices website.

Work Zone permits

If you are completing building works and you need a place to park near the building site, you can apply for a Work Zone permit.

If we approve your application, we will create a restricted parking zone (a work zone) next to your site, for certain operating hours. Only workers with a Work Zone permit will be allowed to park in this area during these operating hours.

We can issue Work Zone permits if:

  • there is enough room in front of the work zone so that you don't have to park in front of the neighbour's houses
  • there aren't any 'no stopping' signs or clearway operating times in the work zone area
  • we do not get more than 2 objections from the neighbours about the proposed work zone after we send them a letter informing them
  • only vehicles that are necessary for works on the site (such as trucks and trade vehicles carrying essential equipment) can park in the work zone. Commuter employees of the site may not park in the work zone

A Work Zone permit costs $852 and will allow you to use 2 standard parking bays. It costs $37 extra per week for each additional parking bay.

Applying for a Work Zone permit

When you apply for a Work Zone permit, you will need to include:

  • the building site address
  • a map of the requested location of the work zone (we will only create a work zone on one side of the property, even if there are multiple boundaries)
  • the hours that the restrictions are to apply (typically Monday to Friday 7am to 4pm, Saturday 9am to 1pm)
  • the length of time of the construction works (up to 12 months)
  • invoicing details, including an address and ABN.

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

You can apply for a Work Zone permit on our eServices website.