CORNWALL Council made more than £216,000 from the sale of residental parking permits, it has been revealed.

A Freedom of Information request by used car retailer Cinch revealed that between January 2024 and May 2026, there were 3,726 of the permits that allow residents to park in Residential Parking Zones (RPZ) issued

In 2024, there were 1,549 parking permits issued, raising £89,571 for the council’s coffers, a sum which was increased in 2025 with £92,301.01 made from the sale of 1,572 permits.

Meanwhile, in figures up to the end of May 2026, there had been 605 parking permits issued by Cornwall Council, adding another £34,943.50 to the total, additionally representing an increase in revenue of around three percent.

Throughout the period, the standard cost of a residential parking permit remained at £53, while a second residential parking permit for a property currently costing an additional £79.50. This effectively represents a 50 per cent premium on a second parking permit.

Cinch said that Cornwall Council also confirmed that its permit prices do not vary by street, zone, area, emissions band or vehicle type, with the same charges applying across each zone across Cornwall.

Additionally, there is not currently a waiting list for residential parking permits, with current levels of demand being met by the council – meaning that where residents which to apply for a parking permit, one can be issued.

Ben Welham, motoring expert at cinch, commented: “Permits can play an important role in managing limited parking space, but councils must strike a fair balance between accessibility and affordability.

“This is particularly important as permit costs increase, particularly for households that rely on more than one vehicle.

“For anyone budgeting for the cost of running a car, residential permits are increasingly another expense to factor in alongside fuel, insurance and maintenance.”