Business parking permits

Who can apply for a business parking permit

You can apply for a Business Parking Permit if you operate a business with an address in the City of Merri-bek. Each property can have up to 2 permits. If multiple staff members use the permits, you can transfer the permits between cars.

Each eligible property can have up to 2 business parking permits.

If you have no more than two off-street parking spaces at the place of business you can have 1 business parking permit.

If you have no off street parking at the place of buiness you can have 2 business parking permits.
To apply for a business parking permit, you will need all of the following:
- ABN details
- evidence the business is located permanently in the City of Merri-bek e.g. through rates notice or commercial lease agreement
The terms and conditions for a Business Parking Permit are:
- Paper based parking permits must be displayed on the inside, lower left hand corner of the front windscreen in clear view. ePermits must have the relevant vehicle registration number applied. A parking permit not displayed as described above, including expired or incorrect ePermit registration, is invalid and any Parking Infringement Notices issued may not be withdrawn.
- The parking permit is only valid while the applicant operates a business at the address shown on the approved application form.
- The parking permit is only valid in specified business parking permit zones or where otherwise advised.
- The safe custody of the parking permit is the sole responsibility of the applicant.
- Parking permits will not be issued and are not valid for any main arterial road (Sydney Road, Lygon Street, Bell Street, Nicholson Street, Holmes Street, Pascoe Vale Road) or shopping strip area (Devon Road, West Street, Bonwick Street, Anderson Road, Derby Street) in the municipality.
- The parking permit does not guarantee parking will be available.
- An Authorised Officer may refuse the application if the application does not meet the conditions specified or the information is found to be fraudulent, misleading or any details supplied are found to be incorrect.
- The use of parking spaces in streets for which parking permits apply may be suspended by members of the Police Force or by Authorised Council Officers.
- Council must be notified if the if the business moves from the municipality, and in both cases the permit must be removed from the vehicle. The previous permit will be cancelled and no refund will be given.
The permit holder is responsible for notifying Council if any of the following occur:
- A permit holder changes their business address.
- Contact details change e.g. contact person, email address
- The previous permit will be cancelled and no refund will be given.

Where can I park with a business parking permit?

Permits will be issued to one designated location. The current list of designated business parking locations can be found in the Business parking permit list of parking location (DOCX 119Kb). These are subject to change*.

Please check the signs and park within the business parking permit areas. Ensure you comply with the Victorian road rules and display a valid permit in permit signed areas to avoid fines.

A permit does not guarantee that there will always be a parking spot available for you.

*Edward Street and Frith Street car parks are at full capacity for Business Parking Permits and Council are not approving any new Business Parking Permits for this location.

How much does a business parking permit cost?

Business parking permits expire each year on 31 July.

Business parking permit costs are:

$161* for your first permit.
$242* for your second permit.

Pro-rata rates apply if you apply after the 1st of February. The pro-rata fees are:

$80.60* for your first permit.
$121* for your second permit.

*prices subject to change.

I would like to apply for a Business Parking permit

When you apply for a business parking permit, you will need the following documents to prove that you run a business at that address:

Business registration document (ABN details) or a utility bill in the business name (we will not accept mobile phone bills)
Rates notice in the business name or lease agreement in the business name

Before you apply, make sure you have these documents ready.

Apply online

You can register as a user and sign in to access our 'My accounts' section on our eServices website. As a registered user, you can keep track of requests and applications on any device and don't need to re-enter your personal information.

To apply complete the following steps:

Apply for a First Business Parking Permit on our eServices website
Attach the required documents (business registration (ABN) or utility bill (excluding mobile) and rates notice or lease agreement)
Pay the fee online by Visa or MasterCard
If you require a Second Business Parking Permit you can then also apply for this on our eServices website

Apply in person, by mail or by email

To apply for the permit in person or by mail, fill in the Parking permit application form (PDF 236Kb) and:

bring the completed form along with your supporting documents to one of our Customer Service Centres. You can find the locations for these centres on our Contact us page.
mail the completed form along with your supporting documents to Merri-bek City Council, Locked Bag 10, Brunswick 3056
email the completed form along with your supporting documents to info@merri-bek.vic.gov.au.

We will then review your application. If it is successful; we will issue you an invoice by email. Once payment is received, the permit will be posted to you.

If your application is not successful or we require further information, we will contact you by email.

Once you have received your permit, you should put it in the plastic holder provided by us, on the lower left-hand side of the interior of your car’s windscreen.

When do business parking permits expire?

Business parking permits expire each year on 31 July. They need to be renewed by this date each year. We will notify you by email or post when it is time to renew your permit.

You must observe timed parking restrictions until you receive your new permit.

I would like to renew my Business Parking Permit

We send renewal notices in the mail when it is time for you to renew your permit.

Once you have receieved your renewal notice please complete and sign the renewal form. Then return this along with supporting documents via email to citysafety@merri-bek.vic.gov.au.

After we receive all required documents, an invoice will be emailed to you for payment.

Once payment has been received we will post out your new business parking permit. Please allow 10 business days from date of payment to receive your permit in the mail.

Renew and pay online

To pay your renewal online:

Go to our eServices website
Pay online by Visa or MasterCard.
You will need the 'Application number' on your renewal statement to compete the renewal.

Pay business parking permit with a Visa or MasterCard over the phone 24 hours using Council's secure automated system.
1. Phone 9240 1111 and press 1 for phone payments. Then press 7 to pay 'licencing tax invoices' and follow the voice prompts.
2. You will need to provide the ‘Application number' located on your renewal statement and your Visa or MasterCard details.
1. Separate the payment slip at the bottom of your invoice and mail it with your cheque or money order to Merri-bek City Council, Locked Bag 10, Brunswick 3056, before the due date.
2. Make the cheque or money order payable to ‘Merri-bek City Council’ and cross it 'Not negotiable'. Do not include cash in the mail.
Council does not provide a receipt for payments received by mail. Keep the top section of the invoice for your records.
1. Bring your invoice to a Council Customer Service Centre.
2. You can pay by Visa or MasterCard, EFTPOS, cheque, money order, or cash. The minimum payment for all card transactions is $10 and there is no cash out facility

Lost or damaged permits

If you lose or damage your business parking permit, you must fill in a statutory declaration. You can then:

bring this to one of our Customer Service Centres. You can find the locations for these centres on our Contact us page.
email it to us at info@merri-bek.vic.gov.au
post it to us at Merri-bek City Council, Locked Bag 10, Brunswick 3056

Please note: you will need to pay a replacement fee of $33.55 for each permit you need replaced.

Once we have received your statutory declaration, we will send you an invoice so that you can pay for you new permit. You can pay using the details listed on the invoice. After this is paid, we will send you a new permit.

Until you receive your new permit, you must park legally and observe parking restrictions in the street.

Loading Zones

Loading Zones can only be used by eligible vehicles. The types of vehicles that can use a Loading Zone are:

A courier vehicle displaying a courier vehicle sign* that is dropping off, or picking up, goods.
A delivery vehicle displaying a delivery vehicle sign* that is dropping off, or picking up, goods.
A vehicle constructed predominantly for carrying loads (e.g. a utility or van) that is dropping off or picking up goods.
A bus that is dropping off, or picking up, passengers.
A commercial passenger vehicle, that is dropping off, or picking up, passengers.
A taxi that is dropping off, or picking up, passengers.

*For vehicle signage requirements, please visit https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/business-and-industry/design-and-management/designing-loading-zones

How long can an eligible vehicle be in a Loading Zone?

If the Loading Zone sign does not indicate a time limit, an eligible vehicle can use it up to 30 minutes. If the sign indicates a time limit, then the driver must adhere to the time limit indicated on the sign.

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