Controlled Parking Zones (CPZs)
We deal with the maintenance and enforcement of controlled parking zones.
What is a controlled parking zone (CPZ)?
A controlled parking zone (CPZ) is an area where parking is restricted during the controlled hours of operation.
The main aim of the CPZ is to discourage commuter and long stay parking by people from outside the area.
How does a CPZ work?
The controlled hours are shown on large signs as you enter the zone. However, on some streets the controlled hours may vary so it is best to always check the time plate for the parking bay.
We will mark all roads where parking is not allowed with yellow lines.
If yellow line restrictions apply at different times to the zone times, the different times are shown on separate time plates near the area of road that is affected.
London Borough of Lambeth has 12 CPZs located mainly in the north. Each zone has its own controlled hours, so you must read the signs carefully before parking.
How do I get a parking permit?
For details on ho to apply and the price of our parking permits please visit our parking permit pages.
Where can I park during controlled hours?
Always check the signs before you park.
You can park in the following places:
residents' parking bay, if you display a valid resident, teacher or motorcycle permit or have a visitor permit
- shared use bay, e.g. pay and display bay and resident bay if you display a valid resident, teacher or motorcycle permit or have a visitor permit
disabled person's parking bay, if you hold and display a blue badge. There are disabled person's parking bays throughout the borough. You can also park in residents' and pay and display bays, providing you display your badge
- business bay, if you display a valid business permit.
- doctors' bay, if you display a valid doctors' permit. The doctors' permit has to show the bay number assigned to the surgery
loading and unloading bays, including those on red routes. There is a maximum stay of 20 minutes, however constant activity must be seen. If no activity is seen for two minutes then a penalty charge notice may be issued
- pay and display bay, if you have paid the correct amount and clearly displayed your ticket.
Resident permit holders using pay and display bays
If you have a valid resident parking permit you may also use pay and display bays within your zone of residence for one hour at the beginning and the end of controlled hours, you do not have to buy a pay and display ticket.
During all other times, you must buy a pay and display ticket and may only park for the maximum time allowed.
Parking within bay markings
We ask you to show consideration towards other road users when parking your vehicle; this includes, the disabled and pedestrians. Parking within the bay markings ensures that your vehicle is not causing danger, obstruction or congestion.
Where one wheel of a vehicle is entirely outside the bay markings a Penalty Charge Notice will be issued. The vehicle will only be removed if it is causing actual, rather than potential danger, obstruction or congestion.
Parking permits
Visit the parking permits page to find out how to apply for resident, visitor, motorcycle, business, doctor, teacher, market trader or trade parking permits.
Where can I park outside controlled hours?
You can park in the following places:
- parking bays except disabled bays, which have parking restrictions 24 hours a day, and on single yellow lines when the controlled hours finish and before the controlled hours begin the following day.
- parking bays, except disabled bays, or on a single yellow line all day on a Sunday, unless the signs state otherwise.
You must check the controlled hours of the bay in which you intend to park.
Where can I not park?
You cannot park in the following places:
- on single yellow lines during controlled hours. You must never park on double yellow lines
in a suspended parking bay, during controlled hours or as otherwise stated. Please read the suspension signs
- in an out of order pay and display machine bay, during controlled hours
- in a resident's, business and doctor parking bays without displaying a valid permit
- a specially reserved bay, for example disabled person's bay, or taxi rank, unless you are authorised to do so
- at a bus stop or bus lane during the hours they are in use
On a school "keep clear" marking or pedestrian crossing zigzags, see sign to right, during controlled hours.
- at the same pay and display machine bay within one hour (or other set time) of leaving a bay
on a pavement, footway, verge or crossover at any time unless footway parking is permitted, which will be indicated by the sign to right
- alongside a vehicle already parked (double parking)
- outside bay markings.
Location of CPZs
If you want to find out the location of CPZs, please telephone: 020 7926 9000, email: ParkingEnquiries@lambeth.gov.uk or visit our parking shop. Alternatively, a map detailing the borough's CPZs can be found here.
Pay and display
Find out more information on pay and display charges in Lambeth's CPZs.
Depending on where you park within the borough, you may park for a maximum of two or four hours.
Pay and display machines accept 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p and £1 coins.
Two different types of Pay and display machines can be found in the borough - one that accepts cash only and one that accepts cash and card payments.
Do not park in a pay and display bay for longer than you have paid for.
From June 2005, Penalty Charge Notices will not be issued where extra money has been inserted into the meter/pay and display machine, provided the maximum stay in the bay has not been exceeded.
In line with the council's commitment to reduce its energy consumption, 25% of Lambeth's pay and display machines are solar powered.
Out of order pay and display machines
Lambeth, like many other London local authorities, experiences problems with vandalism and theft from its pay and display machines. Technicians regularly check each machine. However machines can be repaired and then vandalised minutes afterwards.
When a machine is faulty we are unable to accept a note displayed in the vehicle to state this. Unfortunately in the past unscrupulous motorists have taken advantage of this system of trust to gain free parking or extend their stay.
This means that even if a machine is out of order a Civil Enforcement Officer (formerly known as a Parking Attendant) must issue a Penalty Charge Notice if a vehicle is parked without the correct pay and display ticket. They cannot make exceptions to this rule.
A motorist must find another working machine to pay for parking. If a motorist is unable to find a working pay and display machine near to where they intend to park and receive a Penalty Charge Notice, they can challenge it. If records support the claim that the machine was out of order, the charge is normally cancelled. All challenges must be made in writing and sent to the address stated on the notice.
Parking suspension
Emergency parking suspension
Occasionally we have to suspend the use of parking bays without any advance warning.
If we remove your vehicle because of an emergency parking suspension, you will not be charged for its release. However, where we have provided advanced warning signs of a parking suspension, we may remove your vehicle and there will be a charge for its release.
Parking suspension with advance warning
It is sometimes necessary to suspend parking. When this is the case we aim to give five days notice on-street for resident, shared use and business bays and three days notice for pay and display bays. You should ensure that you check the area where you intend to park, for any pending or changes to restrictions.
Parking suspension request
We offer the facility for suspending residents/pay and display or meter bays, for legitimate purposes, based on a daily rate. Bay suspensions are available to both residents and non-residents, providing the requirements for applying have been met.
Please ensure that the correct postage amount is applied to all suspension requests. If sending via Recorded or Special Delivery, please be aware of the shop opening hours.
Return to Service stickers
Return to Service stickers are designed to make space available as soon as a parking suspension is no longer needed.
When you book a bay suspension, you will receive a 'Return to Service' sticker by post along with your receipt. This sticker has the appropriate suspension reference number on it, as well as instructions on how to use it.
As soon as you no longer require the suspension, simply place the sticker across the front of the suspension sign. This will make the bay available for parking use immediately.
By ceasing your suspension of the bay and returning it to public use you are not entitled to any monetary refund but, by doing so, you are improving the parking facilities available for both residents and visitors to the borough.
For further information please contact the parking shop.
How do you have your say?
We consult fully with residents before introducing a new CPZ. Existing CPZs are also subject to review, and at that point we will again seek comments from everyone concerned.
Who to contact
Please let us know if there are any problems with a CPZ. You should also inform us of any changes in requirements, such as a designated disabled bay which is no longer needed.
Tel: 020 7926 9000
Email: ParkingEnquiries@lambeth.gov.uk
Frequently Asked Questions
More Questions and answers on the FAQ page.