Blue Badge parking and disabled bays

Apply for a Blue Badge

Contact West Sussex County Council if you would like to apply for a Blue Badge or have any further questions about the scheme.

You can also email blue.badges@westsussex.gov.uk             
or phone 01243 777653

Council car parks

All our car parks have free allocated disabled parking providing a valid Blue Badge is displayed.

If spaces are full, any other space in the car park (except coach bays, permit bays and motorcycle bays) can be used free of charge providing:

  • the vehicle is displaying a valid Blue Badge
  • the vehicle is parked within the markings of a bay
  • the registered disabled person is driving or is a passenger

You'll find details of the number of allocated disabled parking spaces under our individual car park information for each area.

Blue Badge holders are not permitted to park on double yellow lines within our off-street car parks. 

Non-council car parks

It is up to the car park owner to decide whether Blue Badge holders can park free of charge in private car parks. You must always check signs to find out the rules for each car park. 

On-street parking

With a correctly displayed blue badge and parking clock, you can park for free where there are:

  • pay and display machines
  • parking meters
  • limited waiting bays (1/2 hour no return)
  • designated for disabled people with a blue wheelchair symbol

You must always check the signs to see what the rules are for the area you are parking.

Parking on yellow lines with a Blue Badge

Blue Badge holders can usually park on single or double yellow lines for up to three hours if:

  • the Blue Badge is clearly displayed; and
  • the parking clock is set to show the time of arrival

This exemption does not apply where loading restrictions are in place.

Loading restrictions are shown by:

  • yellow markings on the kerb; and/or
  • signs giving details of the restriction

If loading restrictions apply, Blue Badge holders cannot park there.

Please view the government's Blue Badge scheme: rights and responsibilities for further information.

Parking in disabled bays without a Blue Badge

We can only give a Penalty Charge Notice to drivers without a Blue Badge who park in a disabled bay if the bay is enforceable.

Enforceable disabled bays are supported by a legal order and will normally have both:

  • a disabled bay marked on the road, and
  • an upright sign showing that the bay is reserved for Blue Badge holders.

We may be able to take enforcement action if a vehicle is parked in one of these bays without displaying a valid Blue Badge.

Courtesy disabled bays are advisory only. They are usually marked on the road but do not have an accompanying sign. A legal order does not back them, so we cannot take enforcement action if a vehicle without a Blue Badge parks in one.

If you're unsure whether a disabled bay is enforceable, look for an upright sign next to the bay. This is often the easiest way to tell the difference.