Parking guidelines

Updating the guidelines

The NSW Government has announced a review of both the Permit Parking Guidelines and the Pay Parking and Controlled Loading Zone Guidelines.

Proposed changes relate to fairness and accessibility for tenants and apartment dwellers, equitable access to destinations such as beaches, prioritising on-street parking for those who need it most, and the application of fees and surcharges to pay parking.

We have concluded public consultation on the proposed updates and are reviewing submissions. Thank you to all those who provided feedback.

Copies of the updated guidelines will be hosted here once finalised. Parking authorities and those who made a submission will be contacted directly.

For reference in the interim, the links below provide access to copies of the draft guidelines as well as an explanatory document outlining the key proposed changes. 

Existing guidelines

Permit Parking Guidelines

Permit parking schemes are used to manage limited on-street parking space, and to prioritise access for key users, such as nearby residents, business, or visitors.

Permit schemes can be identified by the words ‘Permit Holders Excepted’ on parking signs.

Transport’s Permit Parking Guidelines provide advice and some mandatory requirements for the use of permit parking schemes. They cover permit design, digital permit schemes, signage, and general policy considerations.

It is a requirement of the Guidelines that a parking authority not set aside areas exclusively for permit holders. At least one hour of parking must be permitted for vehicles without permits.

Under section 120 of the Road Transport (General) Regulation 2021, a parking authority must not issue permits contrary to the Permit Parking Guidelines. 

Pay Parking and Controlled Loading Zone Guidelines

Pay parking schemes are used to manage public parking, and controlled loading zones provide timed access to kerbside parking for goods vehicles providing collection and/or delivery services.

Both types of schemes can be identified by the presence of appropriate parking signage at the kerbside.

Transport’s Pay Parking and Controlled Loading Zone Guidelines provide advice and some mandatory requirements relating to both types of schemes, including design, key features, pricing, administration, operation, and other relevant considerations.

The Guidelines are issued under sections 93 and 126 of the Road Transport (General) Regulation 2021. Where parking authorities choose to establish pay parking or controlled loading zones, the schemes must be in accordance with these Guidelines.

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