Contravention Code 27 — Parked Adjacent to a Dropped Footway

Last updated: March 2026

Code 27 is closely related to code 23, but covers a broader range of dropped-kerb situations. If you have been ticketed for parking near a dropped kerb, it is essential to understand the distinction between public and private dropped kerbs and the special enforcement rules that apply.

What Does Code 27 Mean?

Contravention code 27 is a lower-level contravention issued when a vehicle is parked adjacent to a dropped footway — commonly known as a dropped kerb. While code 23 specifically deals with dropped kerbs providing vehicular access to premises, code 27 can cover a wider range of situations including dropped kerbs at pedestrian crossing points and other public dropped kerbs. The penalty is £50 outside London or £80 in London, halved for early payment.

Public vs Private Dropped Kerbs

The type of dropped kerb matters for enforcement:

• Private vehicular crossovers: These provide access to driveways and private property. Enforcement typically requires a complaint from the adjacent property occupier (see code 23 rules).
• Public pedestrian crossings: Dropped kerbs at pedestrian crossing points (where the pavement dips to road level at junctions or designated crossing areas) exist for wheelchair users, pushchairs, and people with mobility difficulties. Blocking these can be enforced proactively by CEOs without a complaint.
• Public access points: Some dropped kerbs provide access to public paths, parks, or facilities. These can also be enforced proactively.

Common Defences

No Complaint from Adjacent Occupier (Private Crossovers)

If the dropped kerb serves a private driveway, the same rules as code 23 apply — enforcement should only follow a complaint from the property occupier. Request evidence of the complaint as part of your challenge. If no complaint was made, the PCN should be cancelled.

Consent from the Property Occupier

If you had permission from the adjacent property occupier to park there — for example, you were visiting them and they directed you to park across their own dropped kerb — obtain a written statement from them confirming this consent. This is a strong defence for private crossovers.

Not a Genuine Dropped Kerb

Some kerbs are slightly lower than standard height due to road works, weathering, or poor construction rather than being an intentional dropped kerb. If the kerb was not formally constructed as a crossover or pedestrian access point, challenge whether it qualifies as a “dropped footway” at all. Council crossover records can confirm this.

You Were Not Obstructing Access

For private crossovers, the purpose of the restriction is to maintain vehicular access. If the dropped kerb leads to a bricked-up gateway, a front garden with no hardstanding, or a property where no vehicle could physically use the crossover, you can argue there was no access to obstruct.

Loading or Unloading

If you were briefly stopped adjacent to the dropped kerb for the purpose of loading or unloading goods, and the stop was genuinely brief and necessary, this may provide a defence. However, this is weaker for dropped kerbs at pedestrian crossings, where the obstruction to wheelchair users and people with pushchairs is the primary concern.

What Are Your Chances of Success?

Code 27 appeals have a good success rate for private crossovers, where the complaint requirement often has not been met. For public pedestrian dropped kerbs, appeals are harder because the council does not need a complaint. The strongest defences in those cases involve showing that the dropped kerb was not genuine, was not properly marked, or that you were briefly loading. Request the full enforcement evidence early — the CEO's notes should record why they issued the PCN and whether a complaint triggered the enforcement.

Related Guides

• How to Appeal a Council Parking Ticket (PCN)
• Traffic Penalty Tribunal — How It Works
• Contravention Code 23 — Parked on a Dropped Kerb