Parking restrictions

A controlled parking zone (CPZ) is an area with restricted parking.

The controlled hours are shown on large signs as you enter the zone. All roads where parking is not allowed are marked with yellow lines. 

In some cases, restrictions for yellow lines will apply at different times to the CPZ. In these cases the restrictions for both will be shown on separate signs

Check CPZ locations in Croydon

See the full list of controlled parking zones 

On-street paid-for parking in a CPZ

Paid-for parking is available in all Croydon's CPZs. Parking is permitted in parking bays which are marked as white boxes. A valid pay and display ticket must be visible on the front windscreen.

Payment

You must buy a ticket on arrival from on-street machines. These accept 10p, 20p, 50p and £1 coins. The machines do not give change. 

Length of stay

The maximum stay may be 2 hours, 4 hours or 8 hours, depending on the location. Some bays are for off-peak parking only and are not available during rush hours. Read the sign on the payment machine for details.

Free spaces do not have a maximum stay limit.

You must pay for the full time you expect to stay. You are not allowed to return to your vehicle and buy further time in the same parking place. This is known as meter-feeding. When you leave you must not return to the same parking place for at least one hour.

Free or permit parking places in a CPZ

All parking places in a CPZ are marked as white boxes. They may be free, reserved for permit holders, or shared with permit and pay and display parking. Parking controls and time limits are shown on the sign next to the parking place. Permits must have the same zone letter as the sign.

If signs show permit holders only, you need a valid permit to park in those spaces. The controlled hours are shown on large signs on all roads entering the CPZ. Parking places begin and end with broken parallel white lines. You must park your entire car within these white lines, or it will be illegally parked.

Any yellow line separating 2 or more spaces in a parking place is a loading gap. This means you can load and unload, but not park, during the controlled hours. See parking permits for details on how to apply for a permit.

Holidays

On street and off street parking charges and restrictions apply on most bank holidays. Restrictions do not apply on Easter Sunday, Christmas Day, Boxing Day or New Year's Day. Moving traffic contraventions are in place throughout the year, inclusive of bank holidays.

Further information

You can find more detailed information on parking areas in Croydon on our interactive searchable map.