Operational permits
This permit type is available for the following professionals when carrying out official duties such as visiting patients and clients at their homes or business locations in the city.
The eligible professionals are:
- governmental services (e.g. HM Revenue and Customs)
- healthcare workers, such as:
- health visitors
- district nurses
- community physiotherapists
- phlebotomists
- corporate carers from partner organisations with the Council
- legal professional organisations
Please note that these permits are not intended for workplace parking and are not valid when parked near your normal place of work.
Additionally, the Council reserves the right to issue a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) if there are grounds to do so and to further request evidence of being on official duty at the time of parking upon an appeal.
Types of Operational Permits
Yellow Permit
- allows for up to 4 hours parking in residential permit parking bays and on-street. (pay-by-phone/pay-and-display bays)
- it is not valid for parking in any car park
Pink Permit
- allows for up to 6 hours parking in residential permit parking bays and on-street. (pay-by-phone/pay-and-display bays)
- it is not valid for parking in any car park
Black Permit
This is a printed permit that offers some flexibility, as it can be transferred between vehicles. However, it is only valid when prominently displayed on the vehicle's dashboard or fascia when in use. The permit:
- allows for up to 4 hours parking in residential permit parking bays and on-street pay-by-phone/pay-and-display bays
- is not valid for parking in any car park
Please note that we are unable to issue a duplicate permit if a Black Permit is lost.
Silver Permit
- allows for up to 6 hours parking in residential permit parking bays and on-street. (pay-by-phone/pay-and-display bays)
- allows for parking in most Southend-on-Sea City Council-operated car parks
- it is not valid for parking in the following car parks: Civic Underground, Civic East, Civic North (surface), Beecroft Lower, Beecraft Upper and Baxter Avenue
Supporting documents required
Applicants are required to provide supporting documents for both:
- proof of requirement
- proof of vehicle ownership
An acceptable proof of requirement could be either a letter on the company headed document or come from an official email address.
The letter must contain:
- confirmation that the applicant is an employee
- the vehicle registration number
- an explanation as to the reason the permit is required
Operational permit charges
- Operational permit (Yellow) - £79 per annum
- Operational permit (Pink) - £157.50 per annum
- Operational permit (Black) - £242 per annum
- Operational permit (Silver) - £605 per annum
Permit application process
Please note that applications for any permit may take up to 15 working days to process. It is the responsibility of the applicant to allow sufficient time for processing of the application.
Before you apply for or renew an operational parking permit, please ensure you have read the terms and conditions.
Changing your vehicle details
Existing permit holders that require a change to vehicle details must submit an application online.
Permit cancellation and permit refunds
The Council accept requests to cancel a permit and will issue a refund. The refund will be pro-rata for each remaining full calendar month. This is subject to an administration fee of £16.50.
We will not offer any refund where there is less than one full calendar month remaining before the permit expires.
Data protection
The Council may share information provided in your parking permit application with other organisations who are involved in the:
- administration of benefits
- prevention and detection of fraud