Parking exemptions, suspensions and dispensations

Parking exemptions

Automatic Exemptions (A)

Certain vehicles enjoy an automatic exemption, for example:

  • Police, fire and ambulance marked vehicles whilst engaged on operational duties
  • Certain vehicles being used in connection with universal postal service
  • Vehicles being used for highway maintenance
  • Vehicles being used in connection with waste collection, street cleansing or parking enforcement
  • Vehicles where a valid blue badge is displayed in accordance with relevant Regulations
  • Vehicles where loading/unloading is taking place in accordance with relevant Regulations
  • Vehicles stopped solely for the purpose of picking up or setting down passengers in accordance with relevant Regulations

In the above situations there is no requirement for the motorist to obtain a dispensation from the Council and no charge will apply.

Other Automatic Exemptions (B)

  • Vehicles being used for the installation or maintenance of services such as gas, water, electricity or telephones where this necessitates work on or immediately adjacent to the highway which in turn requires the presence of the vehicle at or near the location of the works. (This does not, as a rule, include works carried out within domestic or business premises)

In the above situation there is no requirement for the motorist to obtain a dispensation from the Council and no charge will apply.

Parking dispensations (C)

A dispensation may be granted for other purposes and in such cases the Council must be satisfied that it is necessary for the vehicle to be parked in contravention in order for works to be carried out and that there is not a reasonable alternative available to the motorist.

For example, a dispensation will generally be granted for:

  • Glazing works
  • Scaffolding works
  • Removals
  • Building maintenance

A charge will be made to cover the cost of issuing and enforcing this dispensation.

Discretionary Dispensations (D)

A dispensation may be granted at the Council's discretion for a number of other purposes. Once again, the Council must be satisfied that it is necessary for the vehicle to be parked in contravention and that there is not a reasonable alternative available to the motorist. Bus stops, Zig zigs and pedestrian crossings on the basis of road safety would not be included in such exempt locations.
A discretionary dispensation that may be granted are:

  • Funerals (for the hearse vehicle only)
  • Weddings (for the bridal vehicle only).

Skips (E)

A dispensation is not required for a skip. If the skip is placed on the highway then a licence must be obtained from Hertfordshire County Council and a charge will apply.

Dispensation rules

  • Dispensations that fall into Category C will be subject to a daily charge of £28 per vehicle.
  • A dispensation will last for no longer than seven consecutive days and will be granted for no more than three vehicles at a single location. Requests for more vehicles or for a longer dispensation will be considered on their merits and a further charge will be made.
  • On most occasions the need for a dispensation can be anticipated and the Council requires a minimum of 2 working days' notice for a dispensation to be granted. The Council will try to accommodate requests where this notice has not been given; however it reserves the right to decline the dispensation on this basis or to implement the dispensation no earlier than 2 working days after receipt of the request.
  • A dispensation does not grant the holder the right to park in contravention of all restrictions. For example, a dispensation will not be granted for parking in a loading ban area or on bus stops, taxi ranks or blue badge bays. Permission to park on double yellow lines will only be given in exceptional circumstances.
  • Where time-limited permitted parking bays exist nearby, the motorist will generally be expected to use these and if a longer time than permitted is required the same charge will apply.
  • If, in the opinion of an officer of the Council or a Civil Parking Enforcement Officer a vehicle which a dispensation has been issued is parked in contravention and that vehicle is not being used as an integral part of the works in progress, a Penalty Charge Notice may be issued.

Applying for a Dispensation

If you wish to discuss your requirements in advance, or to apply for a dispensation, contact East Herts Council on 01279 502039

Please ensure you have your vehicle details (including registration number), precise location and means of payment to hand.

Parking Suspensions

Parking suspensions are to facilitate essential works such as highway or utility maintenance. Bays can also be suspended for funerals, home removals or community events. Parking cannot be suspended for convenience parking and suspensions cannot be considered in areas that are not controlled, such as unmarked highway.

Disabled bays and loading bays will only be suspended in exceptional circumstances.

Suspensions are priced at £20 a car length per day, and we need at least 10 days notice. We cannot authorise requests made with less than 10 days notice. Payment will need to be made at least 3 working days before the scheduled start of the suspension.

A suspension bay is shown by a yellow sign attached to the nearest signpost.

Any unauthorised vehicles that park in a suspended area may be issued a Penalty Charge Notice, but we will not be able to remove any unauthorised vehicles parked in the suspended bay.

Apply for a suspension

To apply for a parking bay suspension, please submit the following detail to parkingservices@welhat.gov.uk :

  • The exact location of the bay suspension(s)
  • The number of parking spaces
  • The reason for the bay suspension
  • The start and finish date(s) and relevant times 
  • The applicant’s company name, address, and email address
  • A phone number for us to call to process payment.

Please note that we will not be able to consider your request without providing all of the above details within your email.

Terms and conditions of suspensions:

  • Applications must be made at least 10 days prior to the start date of the parking suspension.
  • An administration fee is charged for each car length
  • A bay may be suspended for a maximum of 6 months.
  • If more than 3 car spaces are to be suspended, you may be required to carry out a letter drop to local residents.
  • If you intend to use the parking space for a skip or building materials, you may require an additional licence from Hertfordshire County Council 
  • Enforcement of parking suspensions is subject to available resources
  • We cannot guarantee that a space will be free and do not accept liability for any additional costs that you may incur due to obstructions. The Council are unable to remove vehicles from suspended bays. However, a Penalty Charge Notices can be issued to any vehicle parked in a suspended bay. If you notice an unauthorised vehicle parked in the bay, please call our parking enforcement on 01279 502039.
  • We do not supply traffic cones or barriers to assist with closing the suspended bays, parking suspension is denoted by yellow upright sign placed to a nearest post from the suspended area.
  • If the suspension needs to be extended, the request for the extension must be submitted at least 5 working days before the date and the  payment must made within 2 working days of the new suspension being authorised
  • Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council reserves the right to amend or cancel a suspension at any time. If we need to do this, we will inform you as soon as possible from the contact details you provide.
  • The application fee is non-refundable even if the suspension is no longer required or the suspended space cannot be used due to vehicles parked in the bay
  • The Council reserves the right to amend these terms and conditions, application procedures and the relevant Traffic Regulation Orders at any time.