Getting a Permit

Residential permits are available throughout the year at City Hall:

Revenue Services
City Hall - Main Floor
453 West 12th Avenue
Vancouver, BC V5Y 1V4

Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 am - 5 pm

Residential permit area:

See RPP Area Maps and Fees.

Information Necessary to Purchase a Permit

Annually, we require the following three (3) items:

  1. Valid ICBC car insurance for each vehicle registered to the resident's home in the residential permit zone (insurance renewal forms are not accepted).
    Note: If the principal operator is noted on the insurance and is different from the registered owner, the supporting ID (those items outlined in ‘2' and '3' below) must show the principal operator’s name. The principal operator must be a resident of the residential permit zone they are applying within and show the required ID listed below.

       P L U S
  2. One item of recently dated non-personal mail delivered to the same name and address as that shown on the vehicle registration (phone, cable, or hydro bill, bank or credit card statement)
       O R
    Recently dated Canada Post Change of Address form showing the same name and address as that shown on the vehicle registration.
       O R
    Recently dated rental agreement showing the same name and address as that shown on the vehicle registration.
       A N D
  3. One other item showing the same name and address as on above items (B.C. driver's license, other items of non-personal mail, etc.)
  • We do not accept postal box addresses on vehicle insurance, personal mail or personal cheques as ID.
  • If your vehicle is registered to a business (insurance must show address in Lower Mainland) you will also need a letter from that business, on company letterhead, indicating that the vehicle is used by you and needed at your home. We require a new letter each year.

Additional Permit Information

  • Parking permits are only available to residents of the Residential Permit Parking Areas. Permits are only valid in the Residential Permit Parking Area to which they are assigned. You cannot use the permit to park in other RPP areas of the city.
  • If you drive someone else's vehicle, please ensure that you are listed as the principal operator on the vehicle insurance (see “1” above).
  • You must return the permit if you trade, change ownership of, or sell your vehicle, replace your windshield or move to another RPP area. Otherwise a replacement permit will not be issued. Residential permits are assigned to your specific license plate, so if you change your plate for any reason, contact the Parking Management Branch, or your vehicle may receive a parking ticket.
  • In compliance with City of Vancouver Street and Traffic By-Law No. 2849 Section 20, vehicles over 6.4m (21 feet) in length or 2.2m (7 feet) in height, such as large motorhomes, trucks, and limousines, are not eligible for residential parking permits.
  • Vehicles without proper insurance are prohibited by the Motor Vehicles Act from parking on the street or lanes. Residential Parking Permits are not valid on uninsured vehicles and will not be issued to such .

Other Circumstances and Requirements

Residental Permits

Permit - Circumstances       Requirements
Residents that move from within BC   The vehicle insurance must be updated to show the new address in the Residential Permit zone before a permit will be issued.
Residents that move from outside of BC   A one month temporary permit will be issued at no charge to give the applicant sufficient time to change his/her insurance to BC insurance. In addition to the out of province vehicle registration, the resident must provide resident ID such as a recently dated rental agreement or recently dated non-personal mail. There will be no extensions on the one month temporary permit.
Vehicles registered to a business   A letter/contract is required from the company on company letterhead as well as an item of Company Identification (business card, paycheque, ID card). The letter must state that said vehicle is used by the resident and is needed at his/her home. A new letter is required every year before a decal can be issued. Vehicles registered to a company from outside of BC must change their vehicle registration to BC through any ICBC or Autoplan office.
Residents who operate a friend's or family member's vehicle   The resident must be listed on the insurance as the principal operator. This is done by the registered owner at an ICBC or Autoplan office.
Dual Residents: vehicles registered to a secondary address outside the Lower Mainland, and the vehicle stays at the secondary address at least 51% of the time.   The vehicle insurance may remain registered to the secondary address and a permit may be issued upon presentation of the following four (4) items in addition to the registration:
- two recently dated utility bills from the secondary address
- two items of recently dated non-personal mail from the permit zone residence
All 5 items must show the same name.
Students from another part of BC that will reside in the permit area   Vehicle insurance must be changed to the permit area address.
Students from outside BC   To be eligible for a residential permit, the vehicle insurance must be changed to ICBC insurance at the permit area address or the student must apply for Exemption Status through ICBC. The Exemption Status allows the student to forego changing the vehicle insurance to BC insurance. For information, call ICBC at 604.443.4624 or 1.800.665.4336.

[top]