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Residential parking permits

Parking Permit Hotline: (608) 267-1104

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About Residential parking permits

  • The permit costs $21.00 for the Sept. 1, 2012 to Aug. 31, 2013 period. Replacement permits cost $5.00.
  • The purpose of the Residential Parking Permit Program is to provide residents the opportunity for the limited storing of vehicles on public streets to the partial exclusion of commuter vehicles.
  • People who live in an area covered by the Residential Parking Permit Program may purchase permits from the Madison Parking Division Office. These permits allow residents of that area to exceed the posted one or two hour parking limit on the street.
  • Several permit parking areas in the Central Business District are very crowded due to a large number of vehicle owners living in the area and there being only a few streets suitable for residential parking. Therefore, the permits allow residents of an area to park for longer than one or two hours when they find a space.
  • A Residential Parking Permit does NOT guarantee you a parking place.  It allows you the right to park IF you find a parking space.
  • We suggest that residents of Areas 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 9 seek alternatives to on-street parking for their vehicles. The number of permits issued is greater than the number of on-street parking spaces available in these areas. Map of Residential Parking Permit Areas (PDF)

  • To request installation of Residential Permit Parking on your street call the City of Madison Parking Division at (608) 266-4761 for information.

Regulations

  • Permits allow you to park only on designated streets in your area. These streets are identified by an area number which is located in the lower left-hand corner of the one- or two-hour parking sign. If there is no number on the one- or two-hour sign or a different number than the number on your permit, your permit does not apply to that street.
  • Permits do not apply to streets that are metered.
  • Permits do not allow you to park more than 48 hours on a street.
  • Permits do not exempt you from alternate side parking regulations, or any other parking restrictions other than the one- or two-hour restriction on designated streets.
  • Permits are not transferable - if your address or vehicle information changes you must get a replacement permit.

ARE YOU ELIGIBLE?

  1. You must live in an area shown on the Residential Parking Permit Boundaries map (PDF).
    Please note that permits are NOT presently available at some addresses because of restrictions placed on the conditional use approvals of the buildings. Ineligible addresses.
  2. The vehicle for which you are requesting a permit must be properly registered. To change your registration to your permanent address, fill out Post Office Change of Address Form #PS3575 (available at any US Post Office) or call the Wisconsin Department of Transportation at (608) 266-1466.
  3. Outstanding parking tickets must be resolved before you apply for a residential parking permit. If you have questions about the status of parking tickets, call the Madison Police Department at (608) 266-4170.
    If you pay your tickets online the same day you are applying for a parking permit in person, you must provide a copy of your confirmation email as proof of payment.
  4. The vehicle for which you are requesting a permit must be owned by you, your child, your parents/step parents, legal guardian, spouse or registered domestic partner, or be a leased or company vehicle which is assigned to you. If it is a company vehicle, a letter (on company letterhead) stating that you are the assigned driver of the vehicle is required.
  5. A replacement permit may be obtained only if all or part of the original permit is produced when a replacement is requested or theft of the vehicle is demonstrated to the satisfaction of the City Traffic Engineer & Parking Manager or his/her designee.

To Apply Online

Please note:

  • The permit is not valid until it is affixed to the vehicle's windshield.
  • Please allow two weeks from the date your application was submitted to receive your permit by mail.
The application for this permit can be completed on the City of Madison Licenses & Permits portal.
  • If you do not have one already, you must create an account on the Licenses & Permits portal to fill out the permit application.
  • Once you login to your account go to the Permitting section, select Apply for a Permit and then choose Parking - Residential Parking Permit.
  • Instructions on creating an account and applying online (PDF)

to apply in person

The 2012-2013 permits are available to purchase in person beginning August 15, 2012.

You must bring the following with you when you apply for a parking permit:

  • Your vehicle registration form. If this is not possible, we may be able to access this information if you know your license plate number, but delays are likely or we may not be able to process your application.
  • Your valid driver’s license.
  • Proof of where you are living. A lease signed by you and the owner/rental agent is required as proof of residence. In lieu of a current lease, a notarized Property Owner Affidavit (PDF) may be used.

Permits can be obtained between the hours of 7:30 am and 4:15 pm, Monday through Friday from the Madison Parking Division located in room 100 of the Madison Municipal Building, 215 Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard. Map (PDF) All permit applicants are required to complete a Residential Parking Permit Application (PDF) or a “Renewal Application/Affidavit” form, which will be mailed on request.

to apply by Mail

Please note:

  • For mail-in applicants, permits for the 2012-2013 permit year will be mailed to you beginning August 15th. (The 2012-2013 permits are available to purchase in person beginning August 15, 2012.)
  • The permit is not valid until it is affixed to the vehicle's windshield.
  • Please allow two weeks from the date your application was submitted to receive your permit by mail.


  1. Complete and sign the Residential Parking Permit Application (PDF) and read the rules on page two of the application form.
  2. Proof of residence must be mailed with your application (unless you are a homeowner that can be verified through the City’s property database). DO NOT SEND ORIGINALS. Documents will not be returned. Provide Proof of Residence in one of the following four ways:

    • Submit a copy of a lease or sublease signed by both you AND the landlord.
    • The address on your Vehicle Registration and Driver’s license match the address for which you are requesting a permit. Submit a photocopy of both your driver’s license and vehicle registration. 
    • If you are a homeowner, your address must be available for online verification through the City’s property database OR you must submit proof of your address by submitting a property tax bill or a photocopy of both your driver’s license and vehicle registration that have the address.
    • Submit a notarized Property Owner Affidavit (PDF). Notaries are available at the Transportation Office.
  3. Send:
    • completed Residential Parking Permit Application (PDF)
    • proof of residence (if applicable)
    • a check or money order made payable to the City Treasurer for $21. DO NOT SEND CASH
    • a self-addressed, stamped envelope to:

      Residential Parking Permits

      Madison Parking Division

      P.O. Box 2986

      Madison, WI 53701-2986

Ineligible Addresses

Residential Parking Permits are NOT presently available at these addresses because of restrictions placed on the conditional use approvals of the buildings.

Street Address

Bassett St, South

 27 , 33 & 315

Bedford St, South

 2, 18 & 26

Blair St, North

 20, 201, 205, 209 & 211

Blount St, North

 101 (limit of 10 permits)

Blount St, North

 123 (limit of 17 permits)

Brooks St, North

 110 & 118

Broom St, North

 8 & 20

Broom St, South

 1 – 35 odd side of the street

Butler St, North

 21

Carroll St, North

 304

Charter St, North

 210
Charter St, South 201

College Ct.

 909 – 913 odd side of the street

Dayton St, East

 22

Dayton St, West

 417, 430, 431, 432, 438, 1001 & 1315

East Campus Mall

 439

Franklin St, North

 101 – 109 odd side of the street

Gerry Ct.

 1, 2, 9 & 10

Gilman St, West

 244 – 248

Gorham St, West

 202 – 208 (limit of 15 permits)

Gorham St, West

 212, 420, 431 & 437

Hamilton St, North

 125, 127 & 303

Henry St, North

 322 & 640

Henry St, South

 31
Highland Ave. 516, 518 & 520
Johnson St, East 602 – 626 even side of the street

Johnson St, West

 702 – 744 even side of the street & 1022

Lake St, North

 405 & 615

Lakelawn Place, East

 210

Lakelawn Place, West

 201, 229

Langdon St.

 12, 222, 237 & 614

Livingston St, South

 301 & 302

Lynn Terrace

 2734 & 2738

Main St, East

 314, 517, 523 & 525

Main St, West

 306, 450 – 454, 510, 512 & 514, 602, 604, 606 & 608
Mendota Ct. 621

Mifflin St, East

 510, 625

Mifflin St, West

416, 420, 424

Mills St, North

 111

Monroe St.

 1802 & 1864, 1911 – 1917
Mound St. 1207

Park St, North

 2 – 4
Park St, Sourth 801

Randall Ave, North

 45

Regent St.

 904, 906 & 2224
Spring St.
 1002, 1019, 1038, 1040, 1208, 1212, 1214, 1216, 1224 & 1317

State St.

 505

University Ave.

 515 & 632
University Ave. 701 – 799 odd side of the street
University Ave. 1001 & 1815
University Ave. 1909 (limit of 6 permits; need letter from house)

University Ave.

 2108, 2110, 2308, 2355, 2375, 2379 & 2383

University Ave.

 2508 – 2550

University Ave.

 2605 – 2611

Washington Ave, East

 630

Washington Ave, West

 309 – 333, 404 & 640

Williamson St.

 802, 808, 820 & 824 

Wilson St, West

 451 

Other addresses may be added in the future.