Karnataka Proposes Up to ₹25,000 Annual Fee for Street Parking in Bengaluru

Bengaluru residents parking their vehicles on public roads outside their homes may face annual fees ranging from ₹15,000 to ₹25,000 under the draft Greater Bengaluru Authority (Parking) Rules, 2026, published by the Karnataka government on Tuesday.

The draft framework proposes a tiered annual permit fee structure based on vehicle type. Under the proposal, the minimum annual residential parking permit fee is set at ₹15,000 for hatchbacks, ₹20,000 for sedans, and ₹25,000 for sports utility vehicles (SUVs). The respective city corporations may also levy an additional administrative fee to issue permits, with the exact amount to be determined by the GBA Chief Commissioner.

Residential parking on streets other than arterial and sub-arterial roads will be restricted to vehicles holding a valid permit issued by the local municipal corporation. However, permits will only be granted to residents living in buildings that comply with minimum parking requirements outlined in building bylaws. If a resident lives in a property with inadequate internal parking under the bylaws and leaves a car on the street, the vehicle will be classified as illegally parked and will face fines from the Bengaluru Traffic Police.

Permits will be tied to a specific vehicle registration number and applicant name. Each permit will remain valid for one year and can be renewed annually following residency verification. The permit will apply only to designated residential roads within a walkable distance of the resident's home, and parking outside the specified zone will be treated as a violation.

The draft rules also mandate strict road width standards before on-street residential parking can be permitted. On collector non-arterial roads, parking will be allowed only if at least six metres of carriageway remain clear for vehicular traffic alongside 1.8 metres of unobstructed walking space on both sides. On local streets, at least four metres of roadway must stay open for traffic, with a 1.8-metre clear footpath maintained on at least one side.

Corporation marshals and designated staff will be authorized to check permits and report violations to the police, while traffic police will enforce no-parking restrictions across residential zones. The state government has opened the draft rules to public objections and suggestions.

The proposal has elicited mixed reactions across the city. Prajwal Rao, a resident of South Bengaluru, noted that the proposed fees would create a heavy financial burden for middle-class tenants living in rented accommodations. N.S. Mukunda, founder member of Bengaluru Praja Vedike, stated that while some vehicle owners might pay for guaranteed parking slots, practical enforcement could cause disputes, adding that civic bodies must develop off-street parking facilities despite the city's shortage of vacant land.