Parking restriction

No-stopping zone in Germany. General guidance

Purpose

A temporary no-stopping zone may be required for a house move, a delivery, a building site or another necessary use of public road space.

This generally requires a traffic regulation order or a comparable local permit. Traffic signs must not simply be put up without permission.

No nationwide uniform regulation

The competent authority, application, deadlines, fees and rules for putting up signs vary from city to city.

Depending on the location, the responsible body may, for example, be:

• a police station;
• the police or a traffic administration unit;
• a civil engineering office;
• a mobility department;
• a road traffic authority within the public order office or roads office.

This document therefore serves only as general guidance. For the specific application, the document and the current official page of the relevant city are always authoritative.

Which permit is required?

Temporary no-stopping zone

A temporary no-stopping zone is typically set up for the following purposes:

• Move;
• Furniture delivery;
• Delivery;
• Construction site deliveries;
• External lift;
• short-term work.

Exemption permit

An additional or different exemption permit may be required if:

• there is already a permanent no-stopping restriction;
• you want to park on the pavement;
• you want to drive into a pedestrian zone;
• the vehicle has to be parked in a special traffic area.

Sondernutzungserlaubnis

A separate special use permit may be required if public road space is used additionally, for example for:

• skip;
• scaffolding;
• site fencing;
• cranes;
• lifts;
• storage areas;
• site facilities.

The no-stopping restriction alone does not automatically allow this additional use.

Typical details in the application

Depending on the city, the following details in particular may be required:

Applicant

• First and last name or company name;
• Address;
• Telephone number and email address;
• fax number, if applicable.

Location and area

• Street and house number;
• affected side of the street;
• start and end of the zone;
• required length or area;
• previous and new moving address, if applicable.

Period

• Date;
• start and end including time;
• several days of validity, if applicable.

Purpose

For example moving house, delivery, construction site, furniture delivery or placing an external lift.

Sketch or traffic sign plan

Depending on the city, a simple sketch may be sufficient. For larger or more complex measures, a scaled traffic sign plan may be required.

Application on behalf of third parties

If someone else submits the application, a written power of attorney may be required.

Submitting the application

Depending on the city, submission is possible:

• online;
• by email;
• by post;
• by fax;
• in person by appointment.

Wherever possible, always use the current form and the official online service of the respective city.

Deadlines

There is no standard nationwide application deadline. Local deadlines may be given, for example, in days, administrative working days or working days.

Submit the application as early as possible. Incomplete information, queries, site inspections or coordination with other bodies can extend processing time.

The deadline for putting up the signs also varies locally. It must be checked in the respective city document and in the permit.

Signage

The signage must comply with the permit and be put up within the locally prescribed deadline.

Depending on the city, the signs must:

• cover the approved location and period;
• have the prescribed supplementary signs;
• be put up clearly visible and stable;
• be removed after the approved period has expired.

Depending on local regulations, the signs can be obtained and put up yourself or organised through a suitable specialist company.

Documentation

When putting them up, you should document:

• date and time;
• exact location of the signs;
• length and position of the zone;
• photos of the signage;
• registration plates of the vehicles that were already parked there when the signs were put up.

Depending on the city, an Aufstellprotokoll, a list of evidence or a preliminary note list may be required for this. Also keep the permit and the documentation on site.

If the zone is occupied

Vehicles must not be towed away, blocked or damaged yourself.

Have the following documents ready:

• traffic order;
• Aufstellprotokoll, vehicle list or comparable documentation;
• photos of the signage;
• date and time the signs were put up.

Then contact the locally responsible police, traffic enforcement, the Ordnungsamt or the towing service.

Fees

Fees are not uniform nationwide. They may depend, among other things, on:

• duration;
• length or size of the zone;
• location;
• number of measures;
• site inspection;
• special testing or coordination effort.

Additional costs for sign hire, installation, collection or a full service are regularly added.

The specific fee must always be checked in the respective city document, schedule of fees or fee notice.

After expiry

After the approved period has expired, the signs must be removed, returned or made invalid in accordance with local requirements.

The requirements of the respective permit are decisive.

Checklist

1. Determine the city, exact address and purpose.
2. Identify the responsible local authority.
3. Check whether a temporary no-stopping zone, an exemption permit or a Sondernutzung is required.
4. Access the current form and official information.
5. Prepare the details, sketch and, if applicable, power of attorney.
6. Submit the application in good time.
7. Wait for the written permit.
8. Put up the signs in accordance with the permit.
9. Document the installation and any vehicles already parked.
10. If the zone is blocked, contact the responsible office.
11. Remove signs once the period has expired.

City-specific information

The specific details on the following points can be found in the respective city documents:

• responsible authority;
• contact address;
• application submission;
• fees;
• processing time;
• installation deadline;
• permitted duration;
• required documents;
• responsibility for towing measures.

A value from one city must not be automatically transferred to another city.