Reserving a loading bay for a house clearance

Why does a clearance need a loading bay?

A loading bay is needed because the truck has to stand as close to the front door as possible. In a house clearance dozens of cubic metres of furniture, boxes and loose items go out. Every extra ten metres between the door and the truck costs time, and that time is in the price.

If a ladder lift is used, a free space right in front of the facade is essential. The lift needs a stable footing and the truck has to load next to it. Without a parking suspension, one parked car can ruin the plan on the day.

Who applies for the parking suspension?

You apply yourself, as the resident, owner or heir of the property. We tell you beforehand what to request: the length of the zone, the date and the hours, and whether a ladder lift will stand on the pavement. Some cities ask for the truck's number plate; we provide it.

In an apartment building you also inform the syndic, because the lift, the shared areas and a lift against the facade are often covered by the building's rules. More on the apartment clearance page.

Loading bay in Brussels

In Brussels every commune runs its own parking-suspension service, so the procedure differs between Ixelles, Schaerbeek, Etterbeek, Uccle or the City of Brussels. Always check the website of the commune where the home is.

In the City of Brussels you first request a permit for temporary occupation of the public road through the regional platform Osiris. Then you rent the no-parking signs from the city, at the latest 10 working days before the day they must be placed. The city delivers, places and collects them. In 2026 this costs €114.03 for the first day and €14.87 for every extra day. Signs are placed only Monday to Friday between 7 am and 7 pm, and never in pedestrian zones. See house clearance in Brussels.

Loading bay in Antwerp

In Antwerp you request a temporary parking ban online. The standard request must be in at least 5 working days before the start. An urgent procedure is possible up to 2 working days ahead, before 9 am, but not if a lift will also stand on the pavement.

The city places the signs itself, two days ahead, and records the number plates of the cars already parked there. Placing your own signs is not allowed. In the pedestrian and low-traffic zones of the old centre, the truck also needs access permission. See house clearance in Antwerp.

Loading bay in Ghent

In Ghent you apply online, with itsme or your eID, for a permit to occupy the public domain. If the truck stays in the parking lane, the request must be in at least 15 days ahead. If the road, cycle path or pavement is needed too, for instance for a ladder lift, at least 26 days ahead.

For now, the applicant places the signs, at the latest 48 hours before the start. For occupations starting after 1 January 2027, the city will place them. See house clearance in Ghent.

Loading bay in Leuven

In Leuven a parking suspension or occupation of the road is requested online through the Leuven police booking platform: at least 4 full working days ahead if traffic can keep passing, 20 working days if there is obstruction. The permit itself is free; you rent the signs yourself and place them at least 24 hours ahead. See house clearance in Leuven.

When should you apply?

Apply as soon as the clearance date is fixed. The cities' lead times are minimums; in busy periods, or in streets with a tram, a bus or a market, it can take longer. Public holidays and bridge days usually do not count as working days.

Also check whether a market, a street festival or road works are planned in your street on that day. If so, move the date. The full order of a clearance is described in what a house clearance is.

Frequently asked questions