Parking restrictions

• Parking zone maps and operational hours

In a parking zone (PZ) all of the kerbside is marked with either yellow lines or parking bays showing where it is safe to park.

The operational times of the PZ are shown on the parking bay signs as well as on the pay and display machines.

All single yellow lines are also individually signed to ensure that any restriction which may differ from the parking bays is clearly communicated to motorists.

Within the borough, we also have Controlled Parking Zones (CPZs).

A CPZ is a variation of a PZ where parking bays are marked on the carriageway to indicate to motorists where they can park.

However, the operational times for the single yellow lines are indicated on signs as you enter the zone. (Double yellow line restrictions do not require signs.)

In a CPZ all streets are subject to parking controls as indicated on the zone entry signs or signs located near the restrictions.

Kerb sides are marked out as permit or pay and display parking, or with yellow line restrictions.

Each CPZ has different operational hours with some CPZs having different time restrictions for different parts of the zone.

During the parking zone operational times you have to display the relevant permit, ticket or voucher to park.

Please be aware that some restrictions such as yellow lines and bus lanes operate at different times from parking zones.

There are also additional match and event day parking controls in operation within certain parts of the borough.

Please always ensure you check the signage before parking to avoid receiving a parking ticket.

Restricted parking zones are areas where waiting and /or loading restrictions apply but where no lines have been painted.

In order to advise motorists of the restrictions signage is used instead.

This is in accordance to the 2011 amendments to the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2002.

Lines are not painted, either to reduce the negative aesthetic impact on a street or because the road surface makes using paint impractical or inappropriate.

In places where parking is permitted alternative methods of marking bays are used; for example road studs.

The first restricted parking zone in Hackney was introduced in June 2012.

It is located on Rivington Place and the section of Rivington Street between Curtain Road and Shoreditch High Street.

Permit holders only past this point signs are used to indicate a whole area which is used by permit holders only.

This restriction is communicated on signage at the point of entry to the area, rather than at intervals along the road.

Holders of a permit shown on this sign can park within the area, except where yellow lines indicate a waiting restriction is in place.

These areas are most often used in confined areas such as dead-end streets or where signage is inappropriate or impractical.

For example, in Cassland Road, these signs are used because normal posts and signs could not be installed without damage to infrastructure below the paving on the footpath.

Single yellow lines

Single yellow lines will generally match the operational hours of a controlled parking zone (CPZ).

Parking on single yellow lines is therefore generally only permitted after the CPZ hours of control.

Please note that in accordance with Department for Transport regulations, individual signs indicating the hours of control for single yellow lines are not necessary when the section of single yellow line operates only during the times shown on the CPZ entry signs.

In some cases, a section of single yellow line may operate at different times from the CPZ, such as in a bus lane.

The times the section of single yellow line applies for is then indicated by an adjacent time plate.

Double yellow lines

A double yellow line is used where parking is not permitted at any time (24 hours).

Please note you are entitled to load or unload on a single or double yellow line – except when there are loading restrictions in place.

Loading restrictions are shown as yellow kerb marks (or kerb blips) and indicate that loading and unloading is not permitted.

The times when the loading restrictions operate are displayed on yellow time plates located next to the loading restrictions.

Please note that the times the loading restrictions operate may not always match the overall CPZ times, such as in a bus lane.

Single kerb marks

Loading is not permitted during the times shown on the sign, which may be during peak times. Outside this time you can load and unload.  

Double kerb marks

Double kerb marks indicate that loading or unloading is not permitted at anytime (24 hours).

Hackney has several red routes that lie within its boundaries.

Red routes are the responsibility of Transport for London (TfL) and have separate stopping and parking restrictions in place.

We don’t enforce red routes – they are enforced by Transport for London. 

These bays can only be used by the allocated single disabled driver who has passed a set criteria and holds the unique permit referenced on the sign adjacent to the bay.

These bays are reserved for residents who hold a resident parking permit or for their visitors who display a visitor’s voucher.

A permit can only be used in the CPZ for which the permit holder resides.

Companion badge holders may use resident permit holder bays in their home PZ only.

A clock does not need to be displayed.

These bays are reserved for resident and business permit holders as well as holders of residential and business visitor vouchers.

Blue Badge Holders cannot park in these bays.

Companion badge holders can park in these bays in their home zone only.

Shared use bays can be used by holders of resident and business parking permits, holders of residential and business visitor vouchers and by visitors who need to purchase and display a parking ticket.

Disabled person blue badge holders are allowed free and unlimited parking time.

Companion badge holders can also use shared use bays, but only in their home PZ.

Pay and display only bays offer short time parking for visitors.

Visitors need to pay for the length of their stay during the controlled hours. You can buy a ticket from the machine when you arrive and clearly display it on your vehicle’s windscreen.

Alternatively, you can pay for parking by mobile phone, using RingGo.

Please note some bays have different maximum stay times and charges.

Disabled persons Blue Badge and Companion badge holders can park in pay and display only bays. Companion badge holders must display a clock when parking.

Please visit the visitor parking page for more information.

Disabled persons bays are reserved for blue badge and companion badge holders only and the restrictions apply 24/7, unless otherwise stated on a sign plate.

These bays are reserved for the exclusive use of Doctors permit holders only.

The bays are enforceable 24/7, unless otherwise stated on a sign plate.

Dedicated shared use motorcycle bays are reserved for solo motorcycles with two wheels only. Motorcycles with zone permits, zone e vouchers and short stay parking sessions can use these bays. We will issue a penalty charge notice to other vehicles parking in these bays. There is a reduced short stay parking session rate in place in dedicated shared use bays and no maximum stays will apply.

For more information, see Two-wheeled motorcycle parking.

These bays are reserved for business permit holders as well as holders of business visitor vouchers.

Blue Badge Holders cannot park in these bays.

Loading bays are located close to shopping areas to allow vehicles to load and unload goods.

Loading bays are generally enforced 24/7, unless otherwise stated by a sign plate.

Shopping or visiting a store doesn’t constitute loading or unloading.