The Bath Clean Air Zone: What you need to know

Managed by Bath & North East Somerset Council, the low emission zone has restrictions and charges for certain vehicles that enter the city. 

Find out everything you need to know about the Bath Clean Air Zone with our in-depth guide. 

The Bath Clean Air Zone charge applies 7 days a week, 365 days a year.  

You can pay up to 6 days in advance, on the day the vehicle is driven in the zone, or in the following 6 days.

Payment for the Bath Clean Air Zone must be made online via the Government's Clean Air Zone website.

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Bath operates a Class C low emission zone that requires the following vehicles to meet Euro 6 diesel or Euro 4 petrol emission standards:

• Taxis 
• Private hire vehicles
• Vans (including pick-ups and some camper vans),
• Light goods vehicles 
• Buses
• Coaches
• HGVs (heavy goods vehicles)

If you drive a car or motorbike, you do not need to pay the Bath Clean Air Zone charge, unless it is a taxi or private hire vehicle. 

The Bath Clean Air Zone has a number of exemptions, which means you do not need to pay if your vehicle meets certain requirements. 

The following exemptions are in place for the Bath low emission zone:

• Cars and motorbikes (unless a taxi or private hire vehicle)
• Electric vehicles
• All Euro 6 diesel vehicles
• All Euro 4 petrol vehicles

Hybrid and plug-in hybrid cars that meet the above engine Euro standards are also exempt from Bath Clean Air Zone charges. 

The council’s MiPermit Portal allows motorists to apply for a local exemption or discount. Applications must be made and authorised before the date of travel. Please note, applications can take up to 14 days to be approved.

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The Bath Clean Air Zone covers roads in the city centre. It also includes Kingsmead, Bathwick, Walcot and the Royal Victoria Park. 

The costs for the Bath Clean Air Zone are:

Although vehicles that don't meet emissions standards can enter or leave the zone multiple times in one day, their owners have to pay two daily charges if they travel in the zone across two different days, e.g. before midnight and after midnight.

Charges don’t apply if one of the vehicles listed above stays parked in the zone.

If you do not pay Bath’s Clean Air Zone daily charge, you may receive a £120 fine. This is reduced by 50% to £60 if paid within 14 days of the 'date of service'. You will still have to pay the outstanding CAZ charge, in addition to the PCN.

The 'date of service' is two working days after the post date on the front of the PCN, excluding weekends and Bank Holidays. 

You can pay the PCN online or appeal the Penalty Charge Notice. 

The Bath CAZ operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, all year round – private vehicles are not charged to enter the zone.

• You can register some vehicles for a discount or apply for a local exemption on the MiPermit Portal.
• Financial support to replace or adapt your vehicle may be available through Bath & North East Somerset Council.
• Use the Bath CAZ vehicle checker and check if your destination is covered by the CAZ before you start your journey.