Parking permits and exemptions
If you have a SuperGold card, a mobility parking permit, are running an event, selling a car or are a contractor, you may be eligible for free parking or lower charges.
SuperGold card parking permit
If you've got one of our SuperGold card parking permits, you can park free in any metered carpark from 9am until 3pm, Monday to Friday.
The permit does not exempt you from time limits or other parking rules.
SuperGold card parking permits are available from the Council Customer Service Centre on the Square or from Grey Power at 309 Main Street. They are valid for a calendar year (January to December) and cost $10.
To apply, bring in your SuperGold card and a current driver's licence. Note, you must be a Palmerston North ratepayer or resident to apply.
These permits are enforced digitally using your number plate, so there is no physical permit for you to display in your car window.
Mobility parking permit
If you display a valid mobility parking permit in your car, you get an hour of free parking in metered parks. Want to park for longer? No problem. The free hour will be added to any time you pay for.
Note, short-term parks such as P5, P10, P15, P20, P30 and loading zones are excluded.
Mobility parking permits are issued to you, not your car. You can use it in any car as long as it's clearly displayed in the dashboard.
They're valid for a calendar year (January to December) and administered by CCS Disability Action and Sommerville Disability Support Services.
To apply, contact either organisation.
Meter access cards available for all mobility parking permit holders
If you have a mobility parking permit, you can also apply for a meter access card. The card enables you to park free in metered areas, except the short-term parks listed above.
These cards are enforced digitally using your number plate, so there is no physical permit for you to display in your car window. However to qualify for free parking, you'll still need to display your mobility parking permit.
Meter access cards are issued annually for a specific vehicle and can't be used in more than one car. They cost $45 a year.
To apply for a meter access card, please visit our Customer Service Centre on the Square.
Residential parking permit
This free permit is for people who live in a street with parking time limits. Having a valid permit exempts you from the time limits.
Please note, this is not for streets with metered parking.
To apply, visit our Customer Service Centre on the Square or email us: info@pncc.govt.nz
You’ll need to provide:
- Proof of address (a bank statement or utility bill etc)
- Driver’s licence
- Vehicle details (make, model, proof of vehicle registration and owner’s name)
- Contact phone number or email address.
Residential parking permits are valid for a calendar year (January to December). You need to renew your permit annually.
To do this, simply give us a call on 06 356 8199 to confirm your details are still the same. If any of your details have changed, please re-apply as outlined above.
These permits are enforced digitally using your number plate, so there is no physical permit for you to display in your car window.
Parking exemptions for events
Event organisers must apply at least three weeks in advance for parking exemptions.
For each metered parking space required for use during an event, a fee of $5 per space per day is payable.
Depending on the type of event or complexity of site set up, a traffic management plan may also be required. To ensure you meet all requirements for use of the road during your event, please make your request in writing to info@pncc.govt.nz
For sale permit for private vehicle sales
If you've got one of our for sale permits, you can park a motor vehicle for private sale at Memorial Park, on Main Street.
There are 50 parking spaces at the eastern end of the car park designated for this purpose. The permit must be clearly displayed inside the windscreen of the car.
The permits are valid for 1 week, starting at 12pm on Friday and expiring at 12pm the following Friday (regardless of what day you purchase one). They cost $10.
To apply, visit Council's Customer Service Centre. Please bring:
- your driver's licence
- registration details for the vehicle you're selling.
For sale permits are issued under our Signs and Public Places Bylaw. Please note:
- Permits will not be issued if there are any special events or activities taking place at Memorial Park in the upcoming week which will restrict public parking.
- The Council shall not be held responsible for any damage or theft to vehicles parked in the designated area.
- Limited to a maximum of four vehicle sales a year. The number of permits required to sell four vehicles is limitless.
Contractor parking permit (meterboards)
A contractor parking permit enables tradies to park in metered spaces for longer than the specified time. It’s great if you’re working on a building in the central city and need easy access to your truck for tools. You can also use this permit to park skip bins and heavy machinery.
Short-term parks such as P5, P10, P15, P30 and loading zones are excluded and all road rules apply – you can’t reverse into an angle park, or park on the footpath.
Please ensure you display the permit at all times so it can be clearly sighted by parking officers.
The contractor parking permit costs $9 a day per space, or $4.50 per half-day (until 1pm), plus a $5 application fee. You can either pay for your permit up front, or via a monthly invoice.
To apply, visit our Customer Service Centre on Te Marae o Hine The Square. You’ll need to bring in evidence of your trade – for example, a business card or job sheet – and a purchase order if you'd like us to send you an invoice.