Senior Parking Pass scheme

An annual senior parking pass, costing $20 per year, allows the holder of the pass to park in the Nelson Central Business District  free for 1 hour per day. The $20 annual fee will be price adjusted every two years in line with the consumer price index.

  1. Should you wish to stay for longer than the allowed 1 hour, you must purchase a parking permit to cover the remaining period.
  2. All areas controlled by a meter or pay and display machine also have a time restriction of either 2 hours or 3 hours; you can't exceed this. Please check the machine for the time restriction. NB: Wakatu Square is 3 hour maximum time limit parking, apart from the single bay meters around the edges of the square; these have a time restriction of 1 hour.
  3. It cannot be used in the following areas: P5s, P10s, P30s etc. loading zones or Trafalgar Street
  4. Should you not comply with the above you may receive a parking ticket.

Areas not included in the Senior Parking Pass scheme

Please note that the parking spaces in these areas are NOT included in the Senior Parking Pass scheme:

  • Fashion Island carparks are private property and not part of the Council's parking network. Parking fees are required in Fashion Island; this area is enforced by a private company on behalf of the property owner.
  • Nelson Airport Pay and Display parking
  • Parking spaces marked as P5s, P10s, P30s, loading zones or Trafalgar Street

Mobility parking permit

A Senior Parking Pass cannot be used in conjunction with a mobility parking permit, as there are no concessions in any area that have a time restriction of P120 or P180. Find out more about mobility parking permit

How to qualify

To qualify you must be a Nelson City Council resident, be 65 years of age or over and have a valid driver's licence. The permit is vehicle specific.

An application form can be obtained and completed at the Customer Service counter; a permit will then be issued.

Please remember to bring the following with you:

  1. Proof you are a Nelson City resident (a rates, phone or power bill will do).
  2. Proof you are 65 years of age or older.
  3. Proof of a valid drivers licence.
  4. Details of your vehicle’s make, colour and registration.

While this allows seniors access to the CBD for an hour a day without further costs please note that vehicles parked in excess of this will receive an infringement notice.

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