FAQs - Residents Permits and Schemes
Why do we need them?
In areas where on-street parking is in great demand, residents often complain that they find it difficult to park due to parked vehicles that are not connected with the road. A Residents' Permit Scheme allows only certain vehicles to park. These are not implemented on Residents, these are considered following a petition from Residents.
How do they work?
Residents purchase virtual permits using MiPermit. Where a scheme has allowances in place, properties may be permitted to have additional permits, which allows visitors to park for a certain length of time. During the hours of operation, any vehicle parked without being in possession of a valid permit/voucher will be liable to receive a Penalty Charge Notice for £70/£50.
What are the hours of operation?
The standard hours of operation are, Monday to Saturday, 8am to 6pm. Outside these times there are no parking restrictions unless particular local circumstances require different hours of operation. In some locations, Residents schemes are in force at all times and vehicles would be required to be in possession of a valid permit or voucher.
Why can’t the scheme be free?
Unfortunately, there are no grants available from central government for this type of scheme. With pressures on the council tax funds increasing each year, the Council have decided that the cost of the permits must cover the administration and enforcement costs for the scheme.
What is a valid permit?
There are several types of permits available.
The main types are:
1. 12 month permits for vehicles associated with a household, normally registered at that address, and will be vehicle specific.
2. Visitors' vouchers valid for a short time only. These are activated using the MiPermit website, app or contact number. These are available for 2-hour and 6-hour periods.
What do they cost?
The current cost of the permits and vouchers can be found here
Who can I contact at the Council to raise any parking problems?
To raise concerns relating to any parking problems you should use your MySandwell account to report issues.
How will the scheme be enforced?
Residents' Permit Schemes are established by making a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO). This gives the Council the authority to enforce and issue Penalty Charge Notices (£70/£50) to vehicles parked without being in possession of a valid permit or voucher. The Council employs a specialist parking contractor, APCOA, who enforce all parking regulations within the borough, including residents' parking schemes and paid-for parking.
I have a Disabled Bay marked outside of my property.
The bay will be placed within the scheme, if you have a Disabled Badge there are concessions however this does not reserve a place for you and Penalty Charge Notices cannot be issued if someone parks in this within the scheme.
We have carers, can they park?
Carers must comply with the restrictions. A visitors voucher or visitors permit (where a scheme allows)should be provided. If you believe you have special circumstances and should be considered for a carers’ permit you will need to submit this request to Parking Services who will request the required documentation and information as is required to consider your request.
We have a business located in a road with a Residents scheme. Are we allowed a permit?
You may apply for a Business permit for a vehicle which is essential for the operation of your business. The Council reserve the right to limit the number of such permits which will be issued to each business to no more than one, unless adequate space exists for additional vehicle parking without causing detriment to the scheme.
I have a driveway, are we still allowed a permit?
Yes, if you reside within a Residents Permit Scheme and there is an allowance for your property you may apply for a permit.
I applied for permit over the weekend but it hasn’t been approved.
The Parking Control Office’s working hours are Monday—Friday, during working hours. Applications are approved during these hours only. If your permit has expired, you will need to seek alternative parking or you may use visitors vouchers.
We are having works done at our property, what can I do?
Whilst you are having works carried out you can activate visitors’ vouchers if you wish to however, we do provide Waivers. A Waiver provides dispensation to the stated vehicle in the most appropriate location whilst the works are being carried out.
The cost for a Waiver can be found here. This allows for parking for up to 7 days for the vehicle requested. You will also need to provide evidence of the works.
You can apply for this by completing a Waiver application and submitting this to the Parking Control Office.
How long do my visitors vouchers last?
Virtual visitors vouchers do not have an expiry date.
There are no markings but I have received a PCN for parking in a residents street.
Throughout Sandwell we have several Residents Zone in place. Where a Residents Zone is in place, there are no marked bays. There is signage upon entering this location and throughout the zone advising of the restrictions in place.
Currently we have Resident Zones in:
· Richard Street South, West Bromwich
· Richard Street West, West Bromwich
· Barton Street, West Bromwich
· Avenue Road, Blackheath
There is a Limited Wait in our scheme, what does this mean?
If you have a Shared Use bay, this means that vehicles that are not in possession of a valid permit or voucher, during the stated days and times may park for the time stated. Outside of the times stated, only vehicles in possession of a valid permit or voucher are permitted to park and any visitors will need to have a valid visitors’ permit or voucher.
I have had a permit before why do you need my documents again?
Once you have submitted your application and this has been approved, the documents are only valid on the MiPermit for a certain amount of time. This ensures all applicants are authorised to receive a permit. There are vehicles parked in my street without a permit. As all permits and vouchers are virtual, you will no longer be able to see if a vehicle is possession of a valid parking item. When patrolling a location, if a Civil Enforcement Officer does not find any record of a valid permit or voucher, they will issue a Penalty Charge Notice following observation.
We have a scheme in place but the Civil Enforcement Officers don’t attend.
Civil Enforcement Officers are allocated a beat each day, they will patrol all of the locations within this beat as frequently as possible. If you believe your Residents scheme is not being monitored please use MySandwell to submit this complaint and this will be investigated/actioned accordingly.
Who can I speak to at the Council to discuss any parking problems?
To discuss any parking problems, please use the MySandwell portal and submit your enquiry providing your contact number or email address should we need to contact you for further information or to discuss the matter further.
Why has my neighbour got 2 permits and I am only allowed 1?
We are unable to discuss an individual property with you however, if a concession has been afforded to a property this will be reviewed every 12 months. Residents do not have to display physical permits and therefore this information may not be provided accurate.
The markings aren’t clear to see.
All signage and markings, where required are set and placed in accordance with the regulations set by the Department for Transport.
The signs in the Residents Bay are vandalised, covered, dirty.
If signage is unclear, dirty or vandialised, please report this via the MySandwell portal. Where possible please provide an image of the signage.
We have a Residents scheme but we no longer want this in place. What can we do?
The restrictions in place in a Residents Permit Scheme may be reviewed at any time. To have a Residents Permit Scheme removed a signed petition is required. There must be at least 60% of households in favour. The same process for implementing will apply for the removal of a scheme.
What if not everyone in the street wants a scheme?
If not all Residents are in favour of a Permit Scheme, they will be able to complete the questionnaire provided to them when sent or when the advertising of this scheme takes place, objections may be submitted. The methods in which this can be done will be advertised on all Notices.
How do you activate vouchers?
Using Visitor Permits via SMS
You can also use SMS to activate visitor permits if your account has your mobile phone number associated with it.
You can send an SMS (text message) to 61600 with the following:
VISITOR A123BCD 2hours
This will allow your visitor in vehicle A123BCD park in your zone for 2 hours.
Some parking operators visitor permits do not require a duration, please see your parking operators MiPermit portal information pages for details.
You can also call to have a visitor booked in, this could be that you call MiPermit customer services.