No-Stopping Zone Apply

You apply for a no-stopping zone in Cologne at the Amt für öffentliche Ordnung (Public Order Office). Processing time is approximately 3 weeks. In complex cases, it can take up to 4 weeks.

Submit application

The Amt für öffentliche Ordnung of the City of Cologne is responsible for approving no-stopping zones. You can submit your application in several ways.

Submission methods:

1. Online form (recommended)
2. By email to Ausnahmegenehmigung-StVO@stadt-koeln.de
3. By fax to 0221 / 221-26130
4. By post
5. Via the city's secure contact form

• Contact details Amt für öffentliche Ordnung:
• Stadthaus Deutz, Willy-Brandt-Platz 3, 50679 Köln
• Postfach 10 35 64, 50475 Köln

Phone: 0221 / 221-26387, 0221 / 221-29509, 0221 / 221-26386

Fax: 0221 / 221-26130

Email: Ausnahmegenehmigung-StVO@stadt-koeln.de

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8 am to 12 pm and by appointment

Required documents

You can use the official application form or submit an informal written application.

The application must include:

• Name, address, phone number, fax number
• Moving date
• Duration of the move (time from ... to ...)
• Description of the local conditions (traffic signage, parking bays, etc.)
• Exact location for the no-stopping signs (street and house number)
• Length of the no-stopping zone in metres
• Confirmation that the description is accurate

Sketch: For simple measures, a detailed hand-drawn sketch with position and length is sufficient. For more complex cases (multiple signs, bottlenecks), a formal traffic sign plan is required.

Zone length

The correct zone length is important for your application.

Guidelines:

• 7.5-tonne truck: approx. 15 metres
• Smaller van: approx. 10 metres
• Large moving truck: 15 to 20 metres

Rule of thumb: Plan at least 15 metres. Keep in mind that you also need space behind the vehicle.

In the application: State the length in metres. The office will check whether the length is appropriate.

Permit types in Cologne

Cologne offers different types of permits:

• Mobile no-stopping zone: Standard special permit for moves, limited to specific time/date/location
• Parking space reservation: When a vehicle needs to be parked in the no-stopping zone (separate fee)
• External lift/construction site: Runs via construction permit, longer lead times
• Loading in pedestrian zones: Separate special permit required

For a standard move, you need the mobile no-stopping zone.

Processing time

Processing time at the Amt für öffentliche Ordnung Cologne is approximately 3 weeks. In complex cases, it can take up to 4 weeks.

What extends processing:

• On-site inspection (charged separately)
• Coordination with police or other offices
• Incomplete application documents

Important deadlines:

• Standard: approx. 3 weeks processing time
• Complex: up to 4 weeks
• Signs: install 72 hours before validity (better 4 days)

Short-notice applications: Applications with less than 14 days' lead time risk on-site inspection, rejection, or additional fees.

Amendments

Changes to already issued permits (date, time, address) cost 8.50 EUR extra.

More about costs in the cost guide. Details about sign installation in the signs guide.

All information without guarantee. Only the Amt für öffentliche Ordnung Cologne can provide binding information.