Residential Preferential Parking Permits

If you live at an address that is eligible for residential preferential parking, you can apply for a permit to exempt you from the 2-hour time limit. Check the zone map to see if your address is eligible for a permit. Annual permits are digital, so your vehicle’s license plate functions as your permit.

An annual parking permit costs $66 and is valid until June 30. If you purchase a permit between January – June, the cost is reduced to $33.

Each address can have up to three residential parking permits, or up to two if you are in Zone P. If you need more than the maximum for your address, submit a waiver form. If approved, you will pay a $100 surcharge on top of your individual permit fees.

New in town? Moved to a new Berkeley address? Review our Frequently Asked Questions for help with specific permit questions.

Check if you are eligible for a residential parking permit

Before applying for a permit, check if your address is eligible for a residential parking permit. Visit the eligibility map and enter your address in the search bar to see if you are eligible. For support with using the map, please read our user guide.

Apply online, in person, or by mail

You can choose to apply for your permit online, in person, or by mail.

• Apply for a residential parking permit online by logging in or creating an account and selecting “Annual Residential.” Your application will take 5-7 business days to process.
• Apply in person at the Customer Service Center, located on the 1st floor of 1947 Center Street in Berkeley. Your application will be approved immediately and your permit activated as soon as payment is applied.
• Apply by mail by sending your completed application, supporting documents, and payment by check or money order made out to "City of Berkeley." Applications by mail will take 10-15 days to process.
  Send the materials to:
  City of Berkeley
  PO Box 29, Berkeley CA 94701

Submit photo ID, vehicle registration, and proof of residency to apply

To apply for a residential parking permit, you will need to submit a copy of your government-issued photo identification, your vehicle registration, and a proof of residency (if not already listed on your registration). The vehicle for which the visitor permit is being obtained must not have any outstanding Berkeley parking violations older than 21 days.

Government-issued photo identification

• If the address on your photo ID does not match your current Berkeley address, you will need to submit a secondary proof of residency (see list below).

Vehicle registration

• The vehicle must be registered to a Berkeley address.
• If the vehicle is not yet registered in Berkeley, change your address with the DMV. Take a screenshot of the confirmation page showing your name, license plate, and Berkeley address for use in your application.
• If the vehicle is registered in another person’s name, provide a signed letter from the registered owner authorizing their use of the vehicle along with a copy of the registered owner's valid picture ID. Even though the vehicle is registered in a different name, the vehicle must still be registered to a Berkeley address.

Proof of residency

You can submit any of the documents below to prove your current residential address:

• California Driver's License or ID card
• Vehicle Registration
• Signed lease agreement (within a year)
• Current bank statement
• Current PG&E billing statement
• Current telephone (landline) bill
• Current major credit card billing statement
• Cable or internet bill
• EBMUD water bill
• City of Berkeley bills (Refuse bills, Fire Alarm bills, Fire Inspections bills, etc.)

Renewing or updating your permit

Residential parking permits are generally valid from July 1 to June 30. You will receive a parking permit renewal notice by mail by May 1, and will need to complete your permit renewal before June 30, when the existing permit expires. If you do not receive a renewal notice or if you miss the deadline, you will need to submit a new application.

If you replace your vehicle or your license plate, you can request an update to your existing permit, and do not need to apply for a new permit. Request an update to your permit by emailing cscounter@cityofberkeley.info with your name, address, photo ID, and new vehicle registration or license plate information.

You can request a short-term vehicle change if your car is in the repair shop and you have a loaner car. Email cscounter@cityofberkeley.info and provide:

• the license plate number of the vehicle that is being temporarily replaced
• the replacement vehicle license plate number, make and model
• when to change the plate

Please email the City again when you have your regular vehicle back.

Purchase 1- or 14-day visitor permits

You can purchase visitor parking permits so that your guests can park in your neighborhood without the 2-hour time limit. You do not need to have a car or a residential parking permit yourself to purchase visitor permits. Purchases require a government-issued photo identification and proof of residency.

If you’re hosting a one-day guest or a large gathering, purchase 1-day visitor permits

Purchase either a 1-day digital or 1-day hangtag visitor permit for one-day guests. You can purchase up to twenty 1-day visitor permits for $3 each.

• Purchase digital visitor permits online. You will need to activate a digital permit online when you want to start using it. Digital 1-day visitor permits are valid for 24 hours following activation, cannot be edited once activated, and cannot be scheduled for future dates. You can activate up to five digital 1-day passes at one time for a large gathering.
• Purchase physical hangtag visitor permits in person or by mail. You will need physical hangtags (not digital passes) if you are hosting a large gathering of over five people.
  • In person: Visit the Customer Service Center.
  • By mail: send your completed application, supporting documents, and payment by check or money order made out to "City of Berkeley." Send the materials to: City of Berkeley, PO Box 29, Berkeley CA 94701

If you’re hosting a multi-day visitor, purchase a 14-day visitor permit

Residents can purchase up to three 14-day visitor permits for $34 each. 14-day visitor permits are valid for 14 consecutive calendar days. Please note all vehicles are subject to the 72-hour rule, even if they have a permit.

Apply in person at the Customer Service Center. You can apply up to three weeks before you intend to use the permit.

Apply for a merchant parking permit

Businesses in certain areas can apply for a merchant parking permit. Your business is eligible for a merchant parking permit if it is located in one of the merchant permit address ranges.

Merchant permits cost $185 and are valid from March 1 – February 28. Visit the Customer Service Center to apply.

Apply for an in-home care permit

Residents who live at addresses eligible for residential preferential parking permits and require in-home care can apply for a hangtag parking permit for their care-giver.  You can apply for up to three in-home care permits for your care-givers to be able to park without a 2-hour time limit. Permits cost $66 and are valid from July 1 – June 30.

To apply, you will need to prepare:

• Physician Reviewed Medical Affidavit form 
• Completed Residential Preferential Parking Permit Application 
• Proof of residency
• Photo ID
• Check or money order, payable to City of Berkeley

You can apply in person at the Customer Service Center or send your application to:

In-Home Care Permits
Customer Service
1947 Center Street, 1st Floor
Berkeley, California 94704 

Your In-Home Care Provider can purchase the permits in person for you. They will need a note from you authorizing them to purchase the permit, along with a copy of your identification, the completed application, physician statement and payment.

You will be sent a renewal notice before the permits expire on June 30th. You will need to complete a medical affidavit to renew, but do not need review from your physician.