Contravention Code 21 — Parked in a Suspended Bay or Space

Last updated: March 2026

Bay suspensions catch many motorists off guard — you park in a legitimate bay, only to return and find a PCN because the bay was temporarily suspended. Code 21 is the result, but councils must follow strict notice procedures, and failure to do so is one of the strongest grounds for appeal.

What Does Code 21 Mean?

Contravention code 21 is a higher-level contravention issued when a vehicle is parked in a parking bay or space that has been temporarily suspended by the council. Suspensions are typically put in place for road works, building projects, filming, removals, or special events. The penalty is at the higher band — £70 outside London or £130 in London boroughs, with a 50% discount for early payment.

How Must Councils Advertise Suspensions?

This is where many councils fall short. For a suspension to be enforceable, the council must:

• Place temporary signs on or adjacent to the suspended bay, clearly stating the dates and times of the suspension
• Give adequate advance notice — guidance suggests signs should be placed at least 7 days before the suspension takes effect, though this varies by council policy
• Make the signs clearly visible to any motorist approaching the bay
• Use compliant signage that states the reason for the suspension and the relevant dates

If any of these steps were not followed, the suspension may be unenforceable and the PCN should be cancelled.

Common Defences

Inadequate or Missing Notice

The most powerful defence for code 21. If the suspension signs were not in place when you parked, were blown over by wind, removed by third parties, or were placed so far from the bay that a reasonable motorist would not have seen them, the suspension was not properly advertised. Photograph the location showing the absence or poor placement of signs. Check whether nearby residents received advance notification — if not, this strengthens your case.

Suspension Not Yet in Effect

Check the dates on the suspension notice carefully. If you parked before the suspension period began, or after it ended, the PCN is invalid. CEOs sometimes issue tickets before a suspension formally starts or after it has lapsed — particularly if signs remain in place beyond the authorised period.

Vehicle Parked Before Signs Appeared

If you parked your vehicle before the suspension signs were erected and then received a PCN, you have a strong defence. You cannot be expected to comply with a restriction you had no way of knowing about. Evidence such as dashcam footage, parking payment timestamps, or witness statements confirming when you parked can be decisive.

Signs Were Unclear or Ambiguous

Suspension notices must clearly identify which bays are affected. If the notice covered a vague area, did not specify exact bay numbers, or could reasonably be interpreted as applying to different bays, a reasonable motorist might not have understood that their specific bay was suspended.

What Are Your Chances of Success?

Code 21 appeals have a notably high success rate. The council bears the burden of proving the suspension was properly advertised, and many councils struggle to provide photographic evidence that signs were in place and visible at the time the motorist parked. At the Traffic Penalty Tribunal, adjudicators take a strict approach to notice requirements — if the council cannot prove adequate signage, the PCN will be cancelled. This is one of the most winnable contravention codes on appeal.

Related Guides

• How to Appeal a Council Parking Ticket (PCN)
• Traffic Penalty Tribunal — How It Works
• Contravention Code 01 — Parked in a Restricted Street