Apply for a new virtual resident's parking permit

Permits for parking in the controlled parking zone or residents' permit holder bays near your home.

Check your zone or residents' permit area

Online applications 

We have launched a new online digital permit system, Zatpermit, that enables you to apply for, manage, and pay for parking permits all in one place. You’ll also be able to set up email reminders to alert you when your current permit is about to expire. This will replace previous paper reminder letters that had to be sent through the post.

You must register for a new account to apply for a virtual resident parking permit.

You should allow 10 working days for us to process your application.Civil enforcement officers have handheld devices that confirm a vehicle has a valid virtual resident parking permit and those without will be liable to a penalty charge notice. 

Please ensure you know your controlled parking zone prefix when leaving your vehicle in a permit-holder bay. In Oxford, the zone is displayed on the on-street parking signs and is made up of two letters, for example, 'EO' for East Oxford. In other areas, including Henley and Abingdon, permits are designated by locality for use in bays signed for permit holders on individual roads.

You can also check on our Controlled Parking Zones and residents' permit areas.

Oxford City Council operates a completely separate residents' parking scheme on city-owned land.

Blue Badge holders displaying a valid badge do not need a residents parking permit.

Warning

Not all properties are eligible for permits, and other restrictions may apply.

Before you apply for a permit

Although your property may show on the map within a controlled parking zone (CPZ) or road where permit holder bays are in place, there may be restrictions that mean your property is not eligible for resident and/or visitor parking permits. Do not make any decisions based on the mapping system.

Before you apply for a permit, contact us, and we'll confirm if your property is eligible for a parking permit. You may need to check before signing a rental agreement.

The number of permits per property

Each eligible applicant is entitled to one residential parking permit. You cannot have more than one permit in your name.

There is a maximum of two resident permits per property in the following zones. In some cases, other restrictions may apply. Contact us for further information.

Zones with a maximum of two resident permits per property

  • A,B,C,D (Central Oxford)
  • CL (Temple Cowley)
  • CM (Cowley Marsh)
  • CT (Cowley Central East)
  • CS (Cowley Central West)
  • DN (Donnington)
  • DV (Divinity Road)
  • EO (East Oxford)
  • ER (Elms Road)
  • FP (Florence Park)
  • FS (Iffley Fields)
  • HS (Hollow Way South)
  • HT (Holloway)
  • JE (Jericho)
  • MA (Marston North) and (Old Marston)
  • MN (Magdalen North)
  • QV (Headington Quarry)
  • RH (Magdalen Road and Howard Street)
  • SE (South Oxford Extension)
  • SO (South Oxford)
  • SM (Summertown)
  • WM (Walton Manor)
  • WO (West Oxford)  
  • WU (Upper Wolvercote)

Includes residents' parking permit areas in our Districts

  • AB - Abingdon 
  • BCW - Banbury 
  • BC - Bicester 
  • DT - Didcot 
  • HL - Henley on Thames 
  • LH - Long Hanborough
  • SH - Shrivenham 
  • TH - Thame
  • WL -  Wallingford
  • WN - Wantage 
  • WH - Wheatley
  • WT - Whitchurch on Thames
  • WS - Woodstock

For more information, refer to the explanatory notes or contact us.

West End, Witney 

For exemptions to park beyond the 2-hour time limit in marked bays in West End, please email parking@oxfordshire.gov.uk with a copy of your vehicle registration document. A paper permit will be issued free of charge and posted directly to you.

Virtual Visitor permits

You will need to create an account via ZatPermit - Application Portal  to apply for and use virtual visitor parking permits known as ‘credits’. Virtual visitor permits will replace the scratchcard paper versions, and you will need to apply separately for them.

* Current paper scratchcard visitor permits showing valid years are eligible until the end of 2025. 

Start your application

We will only consider applications where all the required evidence has been provided. Use the checklist below before starting your application.

  • I have my documents
  • I know the vehicle make, model and registration number
  • I have access to an email address

Each eligible applicant is entitled to one resident parking permit which is vehicle specific only

Create an account and apply for a resident ‘s parking permit ZatPermit - Application Portal

Assistance: 

If you cannot apply online, a family member or friend can do so on your behalf. Your new parking account will have an ‘account sharing’ feature, that allows you to share your account with a family member or friend to apply for and manage permits on your behalf. The Residential Permits Team can assist with transitioning to the new system and help manage permits on your behalf by calling 01865 519800  

Monday – Thursday 8.45am – 5pm, Friday 8.45am – 4pm.