Changes to parking – your questions answered
Thursday, October 29, 2026
You may have seen a lot of information recently about the upcoming changes to parking in the district. We wanted to share some responses to commonly asked questions.
No changes to parking have been made yet. The report went to the October Cabinet meeting which is held publicly and the report was approved. The changes to parking will not be put in place until 2027.
Here are some frequently asked questions.
How do I apply for a parking permit?
Residents who live in an existing permit parking area and want a permit should register with the Council. More information can be found here.
If you already have a permit, you do not need to do anything right now. Existing permit holders will be contacted in the new year with information about:
• Whether they wish to continue with a permit
• The cost of the permit
• How to renew or apply for a permit
Further details will be published before the new charges come into effect.
Is the new permit parking charge £25 per household or per car?
The proposed charge for residents is £25 per permit. This means the charge applies to each vehicle requiring a permit, rather than a single charge per household.
Full details of permit eligibility and any conditions will be confirmed before the scheme is introduced.
What are the proposed changes to parking permits for residents and businesses?
Before any changes are made, we will consult with residents and businesses who are affected. We are proposing:
- Introduction of a £25 annual charge for a first resident permit
- Introduction of a £10 charge for visitor permits
- Increase in business permit charges from £50 to £80
- Introduce a contractor permit charge of £10 per day
- Increase in replacement permit charges from £5 to £10
- Introduce an all-area permit charge £80 per year per permit
Why are we charging for a permit?
Resident permit schemes help protect parking spaces for people living in areas with high parking demand. They reduce congestion, discourage obstructive parking and help residents park closer to their homes.
The proposed permit charge will help cover the costs of:
• Administering the permit system and removing the cost burden from taxpayers
• Processing applications and renewals
• Parking enforcement in permit areas
The charge helps make sure spaces remain available for residents while reducing the need for these costs to be funded by all taxpayers. It will also help tackle permit misuse and obstructive parking.
My road doesn't currently have permit parking, will I need to pay for a permit?
No.
The proposed permit charge will only apply to streets and areas that are already designated as permit parking zones.
If your road is not currently within a permit parking area, you will not need to buy a permit.
I’m a carer, will I need a parking permit?
Currently carers visiting residents living in a parking permit area are required to use a visitor permit. Changes to this will be considered as part of the consultation.
When will the permit charge apply?
Permit holders and residents living in a permit zone will be consulted with before any changes are made. There are no plans for this to happen until 2027.
When will the free two-hour parking offer end?
The Council's free two-hour parking offer will end when the new parking charges are introduced in 2027.
The current scheme costs around £1.8 million each year and a review found it made very little difference to footfall in Wakefield city centre and the district's town centres.
The changes will form part of a wider package that includes:
• Free 30-minute on-street parking
• Removal of the 15p online admin fee
• Investment in parking services, pay machines and car park maintenance
You’re removing the 15p convenience fee for paying online, will you scrap cash payments?
We have no plans to remove cash payments for off-street parking currently. We are removing the additional 15p charge for online/ app payments to improve customer experience.
What will happen to parking season tickets?
Season tickets are still an important option for commuters, workers and people who park regularly.
Prices have been updated to reflect inflation, while still offering savings compared with paying daily parking charges.
The proposed season ticket prices remain competitive compared with other parking options. Find more information about season tickets at Parking permits - Wakefield Council
When will evenings and Sunday charges come into effect?
For now Sunday parking will remain free of charge. We will start monitoring Sunday parking before reviewing if any future changes are needed.
We have seen an increase in the demand for evening parking. We will hold a consultation on the introduction of a £1 evening parking charge across all Council operated parking facilities (6pm - 8pm).
The proposed £1.00 charge has been deliberately set at a low and affordable level to minimise any potential impact on visitors whilst recognising the cost of providing parking facilities.
Where will the money be used?
The aim is to create a sustainable self-funded parking service.
Any additional income generated will be reinvested into parking services across the district. This includes:
• Better maintenance of car parks
• Resurfacing of car parks and roads with on-street parking
• Improved safety and maintenance
• Upgraded pay-and-display equipment
• Improved digital payment systems
• Ongoing enforcement and management of parking facilities