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 (closed on holidays)

Please call 3-1-1 for general enquiries

West End and Robson North permits are available throughout the year at:

West End Community Centre
870 Denman Street
Hours: 9 am - 5 pm Monday - Friday (closed on holidays)

Note: The West End permit desk is closed daily from 1 pm to 2 pm

Please call 3-1-1 for general enquiries

Payment

Payment can be made by cash, cheque, debit, or credit card.

Residential permit area:

See RPP Area Maps and Fees.

Information Necessary to Purchase a Permit

Note: you may have someone purchase the permit on your behalf, as long as they have all the required documentation.

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). The mailing address and/or location address on the insurance must list a valid residential address within the residential permit zone.  PO Boxes are not acceptable.
  2. Leased vehicles registered under the leasing company's address must also show the residential location address on the second page of the insurance.
  3. If you drive someone else's personal vehicle, you must be listed as the principal operator on the vehicle insurance and the location address on the second page of the insurance/registration must list your residential address within the permit zone. The supporting ID (those items outlined in ‘2' and '3' below) must show the principal operator’s name and address within the permit zone.
  4. PLUS
  1. One item of recently dated non-personal mail delivered to the same name and address as that shown on the vehicle registration (examples: phone, cable, or hydro bill, bank or credit card statement).
  2. OR
  3. Recently dated Canada Post Change of Address form showing the same name and address as that shown on the vehicle registration.
  4. OR
  5. New rental/tenancy agreement that is recently dated showing the same name and address as that shown on the vehicle registration.
  6. AND
  1. One other item showing the same name and address as on above items (B.C. driver's license, other items of non-personal mail such as utility bills, bank or credit card statements, etc.).
    • We do not accept personal mail or personal cheques as a form of ID.
    • We do accept a recent printout of an online electronic bill which is currently dated and includes your name and residential address.

Vehicles registered to a business:

  • The location address on the second page of the insurance/vehicle registration must list a valid address within the residential permit zone.
  • A letter/contract on company letterhead must be provided, stating that said vehicle is used by the resident and is needed at his/her home. ( If the resident is listed as the principal operator of the company vehicle, we do not require a company letter). A new letter is required every year.
  • Vehicles registered to a company outside of BC must change the vehicle registration to BC.
  • Pay stub or T4 must also be provided as proof that you are employed with the company.

Residential parking permits are only valid on the vehicle make and license plate registered at the time of issue. If there are any changes, immediately notify the Parking Management Branch via 3-1-1. Otherwise, the vehicle may receive a parking ticket.

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 trade, change ownership of, sell your vehicle, or replace your windshield, you must return the original parking permit in order to receive a replacement. If the permit is not returned, you will be charged for a new one.
  • Refunds for permits are pro-rated and will only be provided if the permit is returned.
  • 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.

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.
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 address
- a written declaration signed by the resident stating the length of time spent in each location
All 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.

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