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Residential Parking Permits are used in the 16 residential parking zones requiring permits for on-street parking.
Apply for a Residential Permit
For the list of residential zones and streets, you can view and download the Residential Parking Zones PDF.
To apply for the 2025-26 Residential Parking Permits, visit the Residential Permit Application page.
We are currently only accepting applications for the permit year 2025-26. If you want to apply for permit year 2026-27, please wait for us to start accepting applications for that year.
Required Documents
To apply for residential and guest permits you will need a digital copy of the following:
- Proof of residency
- Homeowners: tax/fee bill, utility bill, etc.
- Renters: signed and executed lease with address and term of occupancy clearly visible.
- Driver’s License
- Vehicle Registration(s)
All documents must be valid. The document is no lunger valid if it is not signed or past expiration.
Applying for guest permits only
If you are applying for guest residential permits only, you must work around vehicle details in the application since it is required. To work around this:
- Enter “guest only” or “n/a” in the license plate field
- Select any valid option for vehicle year, make, etc.
- Document upload for vehicle registration is still required. You may upload your Driver’s license in place of vehicle registration document.
If you do not follow these instructions and instead enter in real vehicle details and upload a valid vehicle registration, it may be misunderstood as you applying for a residential permit as well.
Payment Instructions
If your application is approved, you will receive a notice by email or mail with payment instructions. Payments are preferably made online through our online portal. But payments can also be made with a personal check, money order, or cashier’s check (payable to Town of Chapel Hill) and mailed to 150 E Rosemary St, Chapel Hill, NC 27514-3528. To enable online payment, your permit balance is stored in our parking tickets system. This is intentional and does not indicate a violation. Both permits and any unpaid tickets must be paid for your permits to remain valid and to be approved for any future permits. To search the outstanding permit, the permit ID from your notice will be the “Number.”
Permit Information
To be eligible for a Residential Parking Permit you must:
- Reside in one of the 16 residential parking zones, on a street that requires an on-street parking permit.
- Have no or limited practical off-street parking option(s).
- Have no outstanding balances with us (i.e. parking tickets or previous permit fees).
- The Permit Year goes from July 1 to July 1 of the next calendar year.
- $25 per permit for the entire permit year.
- $15 if applied and approved after January within the permit year.
- All residential and guest permits will expire July 1st every year, regardless of approval and purchase date.
To apply for residential and guest permits you will need a digital copy of the following:
Renters:
- Valid motor vehicle registration (preferably in your name, can be in a relative’s name).
- Valid driver’s license.
- Current lease agreement with names and signatures.
Homeowners:
- Valid motor vehicle registration (preferably in your name, can be in a relative’s name).
- Valid driver’s license.
- Current utility bill, tax/fee bill, with name and address OR deed of ownership.
All documents must be valid. The document is no lunger valid if it is not signed or past expiration.
The lease agreement address must match the address of the application.
The lease agreement, utility bill, tax/fee bill, or deed of ownership, and driver’s license must match the name on the application.
If any documents are missing, invalid, or do not match, will lead to your application being denied.
Close ^- Permits valid only in posted permit zones for the assigned zone letter (i.e. Permits for zone A are not valid in Zone C).
- Limited to the number of licensed vehicles registered to the address.
- Residential Permits are not transferable and are permanently affixed to the vehicle and license plate.
- Permit holders are exempt from posted time limits only in their zone.
- All other parking regulations still apply (e.g., fire hydrants, no parking zones).
- Parking on sidewalks, lawns, or unapproved surfaces is prohibited.
- Vehicles must be parked on paved driveways or approved areas.
- Residential permits do not allow free parking in downtown parking areas.
Parking Services personnel regularly monitor residential parking zones. If you wish to report parking violations, please call the parking services at 919-968-2758. It is illegal to create, use, or display a false permit.
Close ^- Allow short-term parking within the zone.
- Not valid for consecutive days over 24 hours.
- Hang tag must be displayed from rearview mirror.
- Misuses may result in fines, penalties, and termination of permits for 12 months.
- 3-Day Permits: Up to 10 per year per address, fee is $2.00 each.
- 7-Day Permits: Up to 5 per year per address, fee is $10.00 each.
If you are planning to have a special event, such as a wedding, party, or event, please contact us at (919) 968-2758, at least five days in advance. Please let us know the date, time and the number of vehicles you expect. We’ll share the information with our parking enforcement and operations staff, because we do not want to give tickets to your guests.
Close ^Residents or family members who live in any of the Town’s Residential Parking Permit Zones who have babysitters, caregivers, or who have disabilities or medical conditions requiring in-home care services may be eligible for In-Home Care Permits for a fee of $10.00.
Please apply via email to parking@townofchapelhill.org with proof of residence and allow 2-3 business days for processing.
Close ^If you move to another address or you have changed your vehicle or license plate, please notify us as soon as possible by email at parking@townofchapelhill.org or by calling us at 919-968-2758. So, we can make the necessary changes to your permit to make it valid again. If you do not do so, it may lead to you receiving parking tickets. You must provide documentation to show proof of residency at the new address or proof of vehicle ownership or change of license plate.
Also, if you either sell your vehicle or no longer need a permit, please let us know.
Close ^If your temporary visitor permits or guest permits are lost, damaged, or stolen, please notify us as soon as possible by email at parking@townofchapelhill.org or by calling us at 919-968-2758. If you do not do this, your visitors will not be able to park on-street without receiving a parking ticket and the misuse of these permits may lead to complications when you reapply for permits in the future.
And when requesting a replacement permit, there is a $15 replacement fee.
Close ^This permit is for contractors, realtors, non-resident landlords, and businesses located in residential zones. The permit is $25.00 per month or $150.00 per year and would allow parking in the 16 residential parking zones requiring permits for on-street parking. Please apply via email at parking@townofchapelhill.org and us allow 3-5 business days for processing.
Close ^