A Freedom of Information request by used car retailer Cinch has revealed that Cornwall Council made more than £216,000 from the sale of residential parking permits between January 2024 and May 2026. During that period, 3,726 permits were issued, allowing residents to park in Residential Parking Zones (RPZ).
In 2024, the council issued 1,549 permits, raising £89,571. The following year, 1,572 permits were sold, bringing in £92,301.01. Up to the end of May 2026, a further 605 permits had been issued, adding £34,943.50 to the total. That represents an increase in revenue of around three percent.
The standard cost of a residential parking permit remained at £53 throughout the period, while a second permit for a property cost an additional £79.50. This effectively represents a 50 per cent premium on a second parking permit.
Cinch said Cornwall Council also confirmed that permit prices do not vary by street, zone, area, emissions band or vehicle type, with the same charges applying across each zone in Cornwall. There is currently no waiting list for residential parking permits, and the council is meeting current demand, meaning that residents who wish to apply can be issued one.
Ben Welham, motoring expert at cinch, commented: “Permits can play an important role in managing limited parking space, but councils must strike a fair balance between accessibility and affordability.
“This is particularly important as permit costs increase, particularly for households that rely on more than one vehicle.
“For anyone budgeting for the cost of running a car, residential permits are increasingly another expense to factor in alongside fuel, insurance and maintenance.”
Cornwall Council’s Parking Permits Raise Over £216,000