Business permit terms and conditions

Business Permit information and types

Business parking permit definition

• A business permit will only be issued to vehicles that are essential to the running of the business. This means that the business would not be able to function without the vehicle and there is no other reasonable form of transportation available.
• A business parking permit is intended for use only by the business to enable them to park in business, and business/shared use bays, in the controlled parking zone the business is located in.
• A business may have up to two permits. Each permit may have three vehicles associated with each permit. Only one vehicle may benefit from the permit at any one time.
• It is the responsibly of the permit holder to update their online account to ensure that the vehicle parking in the restricted bay is active on their account.
• The cost of your permit will depend on the CO2 emissions and engine size of your vehicle/s. 
  

Annual business permit and charges

This permit allows all day parking in any available business/shared use parking bay within your CPZ only. Find out annual business permit costs and apply.

Universal permit and charges

This permit allows parking in resident, short stay, and shared use bays across Islington. Check universal permit costs and buy or renew.

Annual permit with vouchers

The vouchers allow parking in business, and business/shared use bays, in the controlled parking zone your business is located in. This permit cannot be used on its own and must be accompanied by a valid business voucher. More about purchasing annual business permit with vouchers.

Who can apply

To be eligible for a business parking permit or visitor vouchers, you must:

• own or represent a business at an Islington address occupying premises registered for non-residential purposes and for business rates
• provide evidence that you own or have access to a vehicle registered at the same address as the business or can provide insurance details to supply evidence that the vehicle is primarily kept at the same address
• own a passenger or goods-carrying vehicle that does not exceed 5 metres in overall length or 2.5 metres in height

Car-free developments

The planning conditions for some new build or change of use housing do not allow residents to apply for a residential parking permit. Applications will be checked with the relevant parties, registers and databases. You can check to see if your property is in a car-free development on a document that is updated regularly on the buy or renew a parking permit page.  

Proof of residency

As part of your application, we will check your details to automatically verify your address against our council tax and other records. If our automatic check is unsuccessful, you must supply the following documents that include your name and address.

• Proof that you are registered for business rates at an Islington address and  occupying premises for non-residential purposes.
• A letter, written on the organisation’s headed stationery, by the company secretary or an authorised officer of the company entitled to sign a declaration. The letter must be signed and dated.

Proof of vehicle ownership

A permit is valid only for the specific vehicle registration given in the application. 

We will reject your application if the name and address on any documentation does not match the business or name of applicant given in the application.

Please provide one of the following:

• a copy of the vehicle registration document (V5C) - this will need to be in the company name or your name 
• a current insurance document, that includes your name and the address of the business for which you are applying
• a copy of the hire or lease agreement from a registered organisation on letter-headed paper that includes your name
• a bill of sale, if you have just purchased a vehicle and are not yet the registered keeper. You must provide a copy of the V5C within six weeks or your permit will be cancelled.

Company vehicle

If the vehicle is registered to a company, please provide a letter of authority on company letter-headed paper, signed by an executive or director (this must not be the applicant) confirming the vehicle details, that you have sole use of the vehicle and your current home address as per company records.

Leased vehicle

If the vehicle is leased from a company, please provide a copy of the agreement from a registered organisation with your name on it. If you change or renew the lease, please inform us immediately and provide a copy of the new agreement.

Change of details, including refunds and additional vehicles and charges, including use of temporary vehicles

It is the applicant's responsibility to change any details on your account. This includes address, vehicle or contact details. 

Change of address

• If you change address, you must update your details online.
• You will be required to provide proof as set out under 'proof of residency' on this webpage.
• If the required documents are not available at the time, you must still make the change online and submit the required documents within 21 days. Failure to do so may result in the permit being suspended or cancelled.

Permanent change of vehicle

• If you want to change a vehicle associated with your permit, you can make the change online. 
• You are required to upload evidence as set out under 'proof of vehicle ownership'. If you do not have the documentation available, you will be permitted to use your new vehicle immediately. However, you will still be required to provide the documentation within 21 days. Failure to do so may result in your vehicle not being covered by your permit. 

Please note there may be a change in cost of the permit depending on the vehicle if emissions are higher or battery size is larger (electric vehicles). In all cases you will be charged the higher permit price if you require multiple vehicles on a permit.

Adding a vehicle to your existing permit

• You may add additional vehicles anytime your permit is valid, up to a maximum of three vehicles.
• You must go online and update your permit with additional vehicles.

Please note, there may be a change in cost if the vehicle you are adding has a higher charge than the vehicles already on your permit. In all cases you will be charged the higher permit price if you require multiple vehicles on a permit.

Temporary cover or courtesy vehicle

• If you have the use of a temporary or courtesy vehicle, you will need to go online and update your vehicle details.
• A temporary cover is only applicable for 21 days.
• There are a maximum of three temporary cover changes permitted in any 12-month period. 

There is no need to supply supporting documentation for a temporary change of vehicle.

Refunds

• A refund may be due if:
• you surrender or cancel a permit before it expires, 
• we cancel your permit because of insufficient proof of eligibility, 
• your new vehicle replaces the vehicle with the highest charge on your permit but is charged at a lower amount.

We will refund any full months remaining until the expiry date of the permit, starting from the date that you notified us of the cancellation or change.

Please note there is a £29.15 admin fee to process a refund.

Duration of permit

Time duration of permit and renewals

Your permit will be valid for either 1, 3, 6 or 12 months, depending on which permit you apply for.

Renewing a permit

• We aim to notify you when your permit is due to expire via email or by post if we do not have an email address for you.
• Reminders are sent as a courtesy measure only and are not a legal obligation. You are fully responsible for renewing your permit in time to avoid penalty charge notices.
• As a permit holder, you agree to take all reasonable steps to renew your permit on time and providing your own reminders, such as adding the date to your calendar, on a smart phone, tablet or PC, or another personal reminder system that works for you.

Where you can park and use your permit

Where you can park

The permit authorises the holder to use any vacant business parking space within that zone. A valid business permit does not entitle the permit holder to a particular parking space, nor does it guarantee a space will be available.

• Business parking spaces are sign-posted ‘Business Permit Holders only’ or ‘Permit Holders only’. The sign will also indicate what zone it is, e.g. IS-E. You can only park in the zone indicated on your permit. 
• Some signs may also show that the bay can be used by other permit holders and those who pay a meter for short-term parking. 
• Business parking spaces may be used by private cars, goods vehicles, motorcycles, motorcycles with side cars and invalid carriages (as long as the vehicle length does not exceed 5m (16ft 5in) and the vehicle height is not above 2.28m (7ft 6in). Vehicles built to carry 12 or more passengers or vehicles with a trailer may not use these spaces. Permits may be cancelled without refund if these terms are broken)

Please ensure that when the vehicle is parked, it is fully contained within the parking bay.

Where you cannot park

You cannot park anywhere other than the locations listed under 'where you can park' and making sure to follow the following extra restrictions.

• In bays that have been suspended for any reason.
• On red routes, council housing estates or on private land.
• In a disabled bay without being a Blue Badge holder displaying your valid Blue Badge. 

Please always check the signs before you park – it is your responsibility to ensure that you are parked correctly and in an appropriate bay.

The permit cannot be used to park a caravan or trailer whether attached to or disconnected from the permitted vehicle.

Prevention of fraud and eligibility checks

Criminal offence

It is a criminal offence if, with intent to deceive, you knowingly make a false statement, supply false documentation or forge documents to get a business parking permit for yourself or others. Islington Council may prosecute if the council believes this to be the case. A refund will not be given in such cases.

We will ask all permit holders to resubmit proofs every three years to make sure council records are up to date. We may make random eligibility checks and request you present proof of residency within the three-year period.

Right to renew a permit

Before we issue a permit, you must be able to provide the documents required under the relevant sections on this webpage. If you are not able to do so, you are not allowed a permit. This is also the case if you have previously been issued a permit. Having been issued a permit previously does not entitle you to a permit in the future.  

If you are not allowed a permit, you are required to find alternative arrangements. Islington will consider short term transitional arrangements. In such cases you should make a request to Islington Parking Services at ParkingPermits@islington.gov.uk.

Data sharing and privacy

Your information may be shared with third parties for the purpose of preventing fraud. If you would like more information about how we use your data, please read our Privacy Policy.

Conditions of use

Islington Council reserves the right to withhold or withdraw a permit if the permit holder:

• fails to comply with these terms and conditions
• fails to update information required for the permit before its expiry, such as a change of address or vehicle
• verbally or physically threatens or attacks any Civil Enforcement Officer or any other authorised Islington Council employee#
• has three or more outstanding/unpaid PCNs within Islington. We define an outstanding PCN as a PCN that has progressed beyond the point where representations can be considered.
• the vehicle is found to be larger than permitted.

Failure to have a valid permit displayed where necessary, enter vehicle information online correctly or inform us of a change of vehicle or address may result in a PCN being issued.

Declaration

By applying for a business parking permit within Islington Council you are accepting the terms and conditions set out on this webpage as part of your application.

Data protection

Please note that the London Borough of Islington is under a duty to protect the public funds under its administration and may therefore use information you have provided for the purpose of the prevention or detection of fraud. Islington Council may also disclose any such information to appropriate agencies for this purpose.