FAQs

The Virtual Permits are for Hastings Borough Council car parks only. For on-street parking permits please visit East Sussex County Council website.
Hastings Borough Council's parking permit system has changed. The application and renewal process is now faster and more efficient, you can apply for a permit, manage account details, and change vehicle details 24/7.

• We are no longer issuing paper season tickets or parking permits.
• A virtual permit is linked to a vehicle registration number.
• Our wardens will be able to see if a vehicle has a valid permit using their handheld electronic device.

Please register and set up a PermitSmarti account.

We have three account types to choose from:

• Personal: For residents and visitors who want to apply for a season ticket or parking permit for Hastings Borough Council car parks.
• Business: For businesses/organisations who want to apply for a season ticket or parking permit for Hastings Borough Council car parks for their staff. A business address and email address are required.
• Staff: For Hastings Borough Council employees and Councillors only. A Hastings Borough Council email address is required.

You will receive an email to confirm and activate your PermitSmarti account.

Once you have activated your PermitSmarti account you can then apply for a season ticket or parking permit.

When your season ticket or parking permit is live you will be able to renew, update your details, make changes to your vehicle details or your home address at any time.

If you do not have an email address, the season ticket or parking permit type you are looking for is not available or you need further assistance please contact us.

No. If you do not have an email address, you are unable to use the online PermitSmarti system or you need further assistance please contact us.

If you need further assistance please contact us.

Our current fees and charges can be found on our parking season ticket/permit charges page.

Most of the season ticket or parking permit applications do not require you to upload documents and a virtual permit will be linked to the vehicle registration number instantly.

The exceptions are as follows:

Motorbike permit applications will need proof of vehicle type, for example, the V5 registration, Insurance certificate or Finance agreement.

For businesses permits, a business email address is required. In addition, for some business permit types, the following document may be a required; a purchase order / official order, confirmation from a person of authority that the permit is granted, or a copy of a letterhead or business card. You will be advised what is required during the application process.

Yes, these will need to be uploaded at the time of application.

Yes. Personal Accounts can have up to two vehicles. Business accounts can have up to five vehicles.

Only one vehicle will be live on a virtual permit at any one time.

To change from one vehicle to another, you must log into your PermitSmarti account and change the "live" vehicle. The live vehicle has a green car icon.

you must ensure that the correct vehicle registration is active on your PermitSmarti account before leaving the vehicle in the car park.

Season tickets and parking permits will be valid instantly.

Business season permit applications will be reviewed to check any uploaded documentation. Please allow up to 2 working days for new business permits to be issued.

There is a waiting list for some Reserved Bays, so these are not issued instantly. You will be given the option to go on the waiting list during the application process and once there is availability you will be notified.
Permits cannot be backdated.

You can update your vehicle details on your current season ticket or parking permit using your PermitSmarti account. You will need to log in and change the vehicle details. You will be able to use your season ticket or parking permit in the designated car parks to park your new vehicle straight away. You must ensure that the correct vehicle is active on the account before leaving the vehicle in the car park.

No, the new system will know that your vehicle has a permit. Our wardens will scan your vehicle registration, which will show them whether there is a valid permit on the vehicle.

If your vehicle is in for repair and you are given a courtesy car you can update your vehicle details on your current season ticket or parking permit using your PermitSmarti account. You will need to log in and change the vehicle details. You will be able to use your permit or season ticket in the designated car parks to park your courtesy vehicle straight away Once you get your main vehicle back remember to update your vehicle details again.

Please refer to our terms of issue for each permit on our web page.

Tell us by using your PermitSmarti account. We will process your cancellation, but if you cancel your permit before it expires, we will not be able to offer a refund.

You should continue to use your paper season ticket or parking permit until it's expiry date. After this you can then apply for a virtual permit online by setting up a PermitSmarti account and following the instructions to apply for a new season ticket or parking permit.

You can renew your season ticket or parking permit by going into your PermitSmarti account.