Customer Service Support
You can submit applications for all our permit types through the Seattle Services Portal.
For customers who need language assistance or technical coaching, visit our Permitting Customer Service Support page for more details.
Restricted Parking Zone (RPZ) Permits
May 7, 2025
The Restricted Parking Zone (RPZ) Program helps make public, on-street parking easier in some residential and mixed-use areas. We create RPZs around areas where there are many daytime commuters-- like business districts, hospitals, universities, or light rail stations. RPZs use parking restrictions to reduce commuter and event-related parking congestion. Residents in an RPZ can buy permits, allowing them to park for longer than the posted time limits, though having an RPZ permit does not guarrantee that you will find a parking space near your home.
For more facts about where RPZs exist, how they are managed, and who qualifies for a permit, review our Restricted Parking Zone Fact Sheet or continue reading below.
Existing RPZs
You can also confirm your address is eligible by using our RPZ Address Look-up Tool.
How to Apply
If your address qualifies for a permit, follow the steps below to get a new permit online.
Before you apply: Check to see if your Zone is about to expire. Each Zone operates on its own expiration cycle. Permits expire by Zone cycle, not from the date of purchase. If your zone is close to renewal, you may want to consider applying for a Short-Term RPZ permit.
Do you have a valid disabled parking permit? You do not need to apply for a separate RPZ permit. A disabled parking permit allows you to park in your Restricted Parking Zone up to the citywide 72-hour limit.
Before you start, make sure your vehicle is registered in your name and at your RPZ-eligible address. Have your documents ready to upload.
Submit the documentation listed below:
1. Current proof of residency showing your name and address, dated within the last 30 days. This can be a bill, bank statement, paycheck stub, a letter from your previous address that has been forwarded to your new address and has the yellow sticker from the post office showing a date and your new address, lease or rental agreement.
For more information on what qualifies as proof of residency, visit our FAQ page.
2. A copy of your current Washington State Vehicle Registration. Your vehicle must be registered with the Washington State Department of Licensing (WA DOL) in your name and at your address. Out-of-state registration is accepted only for active duty military personnel providing proof of their status, or out-of-state students providing proof of non-resident status.
If your name does not appear on the vehicle registration, you may not qualify to receive a decal for your vehicle. Visit our FAQ page for more information on how to update your registration online with Washington State Department of Licensing.
For a Discounted Permit, include documentation of income. Acceptable documentation for a low-income permit is available here.
To apply online, create a profile in the Seattle Services Portal. You must create one before you try to apply or renew online.
- Create or log into your Seattle Services profile.
- Once you are logged into your profile, look up your address and submit your application. All applicants agree to the RPZ Conditions of Use.
- For more information on how to set up your profile in the Seattle Services Portal, click "Help" at the top of the Portal screen, then click on "Getting Started" for more information on the process.
Our staff will be available to provide application coaching and assist with issuing permits. We can be reached Monday through Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 pm at (206) 684-5086, or rpzinfo@seattle.gov.
Receiving and Using Your Permits
In December 2023, we completed our transition from decals to digital permits for regular resident RPZ permits. License plate numbers are stored electronically, and you no longer need a sticker for your vehicle. Please note this does not apply to guest permits; if you order a guest pass, you will still receive a physical hangtag in the mail.
When you submit your application for permits online, you will be emailed a 28-day temporary permit to use while it is being reviewed and processed.
After your application is successfully processed, you will be emailed a 15-day temporary permit to use until you receive your permanent permits in the mail. If your Zone has already moved to virtual permitting, you will receive notice that your virtual RPZ permit is now active.
If you haven't moved or changed vehicle registration, be on the lookout: About 6 weeks before your RPZ permit is due to expire, you will receive a renewal letter in the mail. Your renewal letter is your proof of residency. It also contains your individual Renewal PIN and instructions to renew your RPZ permit.
For more details about this process, visit the FAQ.
Have more questions? Visit our FAQ page for more details about RPZ rules, vehicle types, obtaining or replacing permits, and more.
Don't Currently Live in an RPZ?
In some instances, it’s possible to expand an existing RPZ to your block or qualify your neighborhood for a new RPZ.
If you believe your neighborhood may be eligible for an RPZ, read more about the necessary qualifications and application process on the Creating and Expanding RPZs page.