Process for parking changes
The regulation management team delivers parking changes to improve safety, support public transport enhancements, implement projects, or support strategic initiatives.
Parking changes require consultation and a report to a Hearings Committee and Council.
There is also a cost associated with adding and maintaining new line markings, so we don’t usually consider minor parking change requests from the public.
Changes will only be considered where:
- there is a documented history of issues,
- the proposed changes have been discussed with and are supported by nearby residents and
- a transportation engineer supports the changes.
Transport won’t usually consider parking restrictions for areas that are residential or have low traffic volumes.
Requesting a parking change
Parking changes are made through Dunedin City Council’s Traffic and Parking Bylaw 2010. The DCC maintains a database known as the ‘Parking Bylaw layer’, which records all the parking controls that have been approved by the Council.
Requests for parking changes from the public will only be supported where:
- Evidence is provided to support the request. This must include a clear explanation of the issues, photographic evidence, clear details of the location, and contact details of the applicant. Changes will generally only be considered where there is a reoccurring issue or a clear benefit in making the change. Evidence of a reoccurring issue usually requires a record of callouts by Parking Services.
- Consultation has been undertaken. Parking changes can impact other road users. The applicant should provide evidence of discussions with neighbours and/or other parties that may be potentially affected. (Please see section FAQ below ‘who are considered affected parties?). When reviewing a request, we may assess that further consultation is required.
- A safety assessment supports the request. Where a parking change is requested on the basis of improving safety. This will be considered by a Dunedin City Council Transportation Engineer.
Because the process for making a parking change requires multiple reports and assessments, parking changes supported by the regulation management team can take between 6 and 12 months to be processed and implemented.
Where can I park?
FAQs
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What do we assess before installing a parking restriction?
Parking spaces in the city are restricted according to the area and its needs, and applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Every application should clearly explain the need for the restriction, the exact location for the proposed change and evidence it has been discussed with residents or businesses that are potentially affected by the change.
Transport won’t usually consider parking restrictions for areas that are residential or have low traffic volumes.
We may carry out a safety assessment on the proposal and we will undertake consultation with other affected parties.
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Types of restrictions
Although staff can recommend a range of parking restrictions, we only implement the restrictions listed below to keep the parking offering simple and consistent. Unrestricted or all-day parking is the default restriction in areas where there isn’t significant parking demand. The parking restrictions the Council approves are:
Unpaid restricted. These are typically parks where you can stay for between five minutes and two hours, depending on the time limit and conditions displayed on the sign.
Paid restricted. These are paid restrictions where you must pay the displayed fee to park up to the maximum period of time displayed.
Other type of restrictions for specified class or types of vehicles. These are parks intended for specific types or classes of vehicles such as taxis, buses, or permit-holders’ vehicles.
Unpaid restricted
Possible restrictions are:
Short-term restrictions
- 5 minutes stay (P5)
- 30 minutes stay (P30)
Mid-term restrictions
We do not install unpaid 90 or 240-minute time restrictions.
These other types of unpaid restrictions are not typically used:
- 60 minutes stay (P60)
- 120 minutes stay (P120)
Paid restricted Paid restrictions are typically used in, and near, the CBD and the University area and they can be:
- 60 minutes-stay (P60),
- 120 minutes-stay (P120)
- 240 minutes-stay (P240)
Other type of restrictions for specified class or types of vehicles
No parking
Certain areas may be restricted to prevent parking. This is typically done to improve safety. These changes are usually requested by a Transportation Engineer.
Pick-Up and Drop-Off
Used where a business or institution (often a school) requires an area for passengers to be dropped off, and where the driver is not exiting the car. We will only consider Pick-up and Drop-off zones outside of schools where the request is made by the relevant school and where the school will be actively involved in promoting its management.
Authorised Vehicle Only zones
Dunedin currently uses Authorised Vehicle Only restrictions to facilitate the loading and unloading of goods. This is used in lieu of Loading Zones which are more common in other cities. They are not to be used for other activities, such as shopping.
To use these zones, drivers must have a permit. The maximum permitted period you may stay in this space is 20 minutes and they can only be used for the reasons outlined in the policy. For more information please go to Authorised Vehicle Permit Scheme.
Taxis
Taxi stands are installed to facilitate parking of taxis and accessibility of the public.
Bus stops
Bus stops are installed in coordination with the Otago Regional Council to improve public transport in the city. Spaces are regulated to allow buses to safely enter, and exit stops to facilitate pick-up and drop-off of passengers. All bus stop requests should be directed to the Otago Regional Council by emailing to: transport@orc.govt.nz.
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I want broken yellow lines installed – guidance on broken yellow lines installation
Obstruction of driveways
We often receive requests to install broken yellow lines near driveways. The Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004 states that nobody is allowed to park a vehicle over or within one metre of any driveway. This means that we will not install broken yellow lines over or near driveways outside of exceptional circumstances. If vehicles are parking in breach of the Road User Rule, please call Parking Services on 03 477 4000. We will not consider any changes to linemarking near driveways unless there is a notable record with Parking Services of vehicles parking illegally at this property.
Council is responsible for managing roads and footpaths, however, visibility to and from private entrances is something that the property owner is responsible for. Please be aware that when requesting parking changes due to driveway location, Transport staff may respond with a suggestion to adjust the vehicle entrance, rather than modifying the road layout.
Broken yellow lines at intersections
A driver must not stop, stand, or park a vehicle within an intersection or within 6m of an intersection unless the stopping, standing, or parking is authorised by signs or markings (6.3 Rule of the Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004). This means that we will not install yellow lines within 6m of an intersection unless requested to do so by a DCC transport engineer.
If vehicles are parking in breach of the Road User Rule and within 6m of an intersection, please call Parking Services on 03 477 4000.
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Who is considered to be ‘affected’ by a potential parking change?
- We are required to consult parties who may be affected by a parking change unless we are making that change to manage an identified safety risk.
- When we receive your application, we might require engagement with neighbours or other people likely to be impacted by the change.
- When a new restriction is proposed, it is beneficial to your application if you can present evidence of support for the change from residents and/or businesses nearby .
- If you are requesting a change that will affect numerous people and you have not spoken with them prior to requesting the change, we are unlikely to consider the request.
The affected parties are determined on a case-by-case basis, but a general indication of who you would need to consult when you propose a parking change includes:
- The residents of the property adjacent to where the restriction is intended to be changed.
Example One: If you are a business owner and there is an unrestricted space that you’d like to see converted to a P30 for the use of your customers, then you should talk with the residents of adjacent properties and with other nearby businesses.
Example Two: If there is a restriction outside a property that you believe needs to be removed because circumstances have changed, you can present written evidence showing that affected residents are aware and supportive of the change.
- The owners of a property where the residents do not own the property. If the owners are not easily identifiable, we might be able contact the owners on your behalf.
Contact details of people/businesses consulted should be included in every parking change application.
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Others
Dispute fines
If you have received a parking ticket and would like to explain the circumstances, you need to fill out an online form and provide as much detail as you can. We will assess your explanation and determine whether your ticket can be waived. For more information please go to Parking ticket explanation.
Parking Management Strategy
The Dunedin City Council is developing a Parking Management Strategy for the central city that will guide how parking is used to meet the community’s needs, and to contribute to the city’s strategic objectives. The strategy will be based on the principles outlined in Waka Kotahi’s National Guidance on Parking Management and will be supported by new technology, including a parking wayfinding system and updated meters. The strategy development will include significant public consultation.
In 2021, MRCagney presented a Dunedin Parking Roadmap to Council which contains a number of recommendations to improve parking in Dunedin. These will be considered as part of the parking strategy workstream. The roadmap can be found at: