Skip Hire in CPZ Areas: Do You Need a Bay Suspension Too?

Quick navigation: This post focuses on Controlled Parking Zones (CPZ) and bay suspensions in London. If you're not sure whether you need a skip permit at all, check our complete skip permit guide first.

If you've already got a skip permit sorted and you're wondering whether you need a bay suspension on top of that, this is the post for you.

Planning ahead and researching whether you need one, both, or neither? Read this post, then check out our skip permit guide for the full picture.

The £100-Per-Day Fine You Didn't Expect

You did everything right.

Applied for your skip permit. Got approval from the council. Skip delivered on schedule.

Two days later: parking fine on the skip. £100.

What happened?

You're in a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ).

And your skip permit doesn't cover that.

What Is a CPZ?

A Controlled Parking Zone is an area where parking is restricted during certain hours - usually to prevent commuter parking and keep spaces available for residents.

If you live in London (or most UK cities), you've probably seen the signs:

"Permit holders only, Mon-Fri 8am-6:30pm"

CPZ areas require resident parking permits. And placing a skip in a CPZ bay counts as occupying a parking space.

Your skip permit allows the skip to be on the public highway.

A bay suspension allows you to occupy a parking bay in a CPZ.

They're two separate permits. Two separate applications. Two separate fees.

Skip Permit vs Bay Suspension: What's the Difference?

Skip Permit	Bay Suspension
Permission to place skip on public highway	Permission to occupy a parking bay in a CPZ
Required if skip is on the road (not on your property)	Required if skip is in a controlled parking zone
Costs £20-60 depending on council	Costs £30-80+ per bay per day plus admin fees
Processed by Highways	Processed by Parking Services

You need BOTH if your skip is on the road in a CPZ area.

Which London Boroughs Have CPZ Areas?

Most inner London boroughs have extensive CPZ coverage:

Heavy CPZ coverage:

Westminster
Camden
Islington
Hackney
Lambeth
Southwark
Hammersmith & Fulham
Kensington & Chelsea

Moderate CPZ coverage:

Wandsworth
Lewisham
Tower Hamlets
Haringey

Limited CPZ:

Outer London boroughs (Barnet, Bromley, etc.)

Check your local council's CPZ map online to confirm.

How Much Does a Bay Suspension Cost?

Bay suspension costs vary significantly by council: £30-£80 per bay per day, plus administration fees.

Duration, location, and specific borough all affect the final price.

For specific costs in your area, call our office: 0204 638 2307

Total costs for permit and bay suspension:

Skip permit: £20-60 (depending on council)
Bay suspension: £30-£80+ per day plus admin fees
Both required if skip is on road in a CPZ

How to Apply for a Bay Suspension

Option 1: Apply yourself

Check if you're in a CPZ (council website/signage)
Contact your council's Parking Services department
Provide exact location, bay number, dates, and duration
Allow 3-10 working days processing time (varies by council)
Pay fees
Receive confirmation

Option 2: We handle it for you

WasteHub can manage the bay suspension application process.

Important: Before placing any skip on the road in a CPZ, we need evidence of the bay suspension - either your approved application we will obtain it, and keep the suspension documents on file..

Always plan ahead. Processing takes 3-10 working days depending on the council.

What Happens If You Don't Get a Bay Suspension?

Parking fines. Multiple ones.

Traffic wardens don't care that you have a skip permit. If you're occupying a CPZ bay without suspension, you're getting fined.

Cost: £100 per day starting fine. Can increase to £500 depending on the council and duration.

Multiple fines possible: Daily penalties stack up fast.

No defense: "I have a skip permit" won't work. They're separate systems.

Common Mistakes

❌ Assuming skip permit covers CPZ - It doesn't
❌ Applying only to Highways - You need Parking Services too
❌ Not checking CPZ hours - Operating hours vary by zone
❌ Late application - Bay suspensions can take 3-10 days
❌ Wrong bay number - Be specific about location

Can You Avoid Bay Suspension Costs?

Yes:

✅ Skip on your driveway - No permits needed
✅ Wait-and-load service - We load waste directly into the truck, no skip left on road
✅ Private property placement - Avoid public highway entirely

We always recommend driveway placement or wait-and-load if you want to avoid permit and bay suspension costs.

The Bottom Line

If your skip goes on the road: You need a skip permit (learn more here).
If that road is in a CPZ: You also need a bay suspension.
If you can fit it on your property: You need neither.

Always check:

Is my property in a CPZ? (Council website/signage)
Can the skip fit on my driveway?
How long do I need it?
What's the total cost (skip + permits)?

The alternative: Many homeowners and businesses find that wait-and-load services avoid the permit headaches entirely.

Need skip hire with permit guidance included? Call us on 0204 638 2307 - we can handle the bay suspension for you.