Contravention code 21 · On-street

PCN Code 21: Parked wholly or partly in a suspended bay or space

This is the official national contravention code printed on your notice. Here's what it means, and whether there's a common ground worth checking.

Check your notice free

Not a law firm. General information about the code itself, not legal advice about your case — upload your own notice for facts that actually apply to you.

What this code means

“Parked wholly or partly in a suspended bay or space”

Code 21 is an on-street contravention from London Councils' national PATROL contravention code list, the standard list used on council and TfL penalty notices across England and Wales, not just London.

Councils set two penalty bands, higher and lower, and this contravention is usually charged at the higher band — the exact amount still varies by authority, so check the figure printed on your own notice.

Is there a common way to challenge this?

It depends on the facts of your case

Code 21 doesn't point to one obvious ground the way some codes do — the right one (signage, a procedural error by the council, incorrect notice details, or simply that the contravention didn't happen) depends on what actually happened where you parked, not on the code by itself.

Check your notice and pick your ground

Other on-street codes

Code 22

Re-parked in the same parking place or zone within one hour after leaving

Code 23

Parked in a parking place or area not designated for that class of vehicle

Code 24

Not parked correctly within the markings of the bay or space

Code 25

Parked in a loading place or bay during restricted hours without loading

Not sure which code applies to you? See the full list.

Official source for this code

London Councils' national PCN Contravention Code List (PATROL), the standard reference used on penalty notices across England and Wales.

Last reviewed: 30 August 2026

GOV.UK PATROL

OverturnFine is an independent document-preparation service. It is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice, and it is not affiliated with any council, TfL, or UK government body.

Got code 21 on your notice?

Upload a photo and OverturnFine identifies your stage, deadline, and the ground most likely to apply — free, before you decide whether to buy anything.

Check my notice free