The new government Private Parking Code of Practice is a statutory code, made under the Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019, that sets the rules private parking operators must follow to issue parking charges and obtain DVLA keeper data. Following the government response published in October 2026, the Code has been laid before Parliament and is expected to replace the industry-led Sector Single Code. If you own or occupy land with a privately enforced car park, now is the time to check your signage, grace periods, payment set-up and operator contract.
This guide summarises what has been confirmed, what landowners, retailers and businesses should review, and where you should wait for the final issued version before acting.
Private Parking Code of Practice 2026: what has happened so far
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) consulted on a statutory Private Parking Code of Practice between July and September 2025. Its government response, published on GOV.UK on 20 October 2026, confirmed the main policy decisions, and the Code itself was published alongside it.
Under the 2019 Act, the Code is laid before both Houses of Parliament for 40 days. If neither House objects, it can then be issued, and the published draft states that it comes into force at the end of 21 days beginning with the day it is issued. Legal news reports in October 2026 indicated an expected issue date of 30 November 2026, which would mean the Code takes effect in late December 2026. Treat these dates as provisional until the Code is formally issued.
Once in force, the statutory Code is expected to replace the Sector Single Code run by the British Parking Association (BPA) and the International Parking Community (IPC). Operators will still need to belong to an accredited parking association, and compliance will be checked through a government Private Parking Certification Scheme using UKAS-accredited certification bodies.
Key rules confirmed in the Code
The table below summarises the headline measures from the government response and the published Code. Always check the final issued text before changing contracts or signs.
| Area | What the Code says | What it means for landowners |
|---|---|---|
| Parking charge cap | Maximum of £100, frozen at this level and kept under review; operators can charge less. | Check the charge level on your signs and in your operator contract. |
| Early payment discount | At least 40% if paid within 14 days. | The proposed increase to 50% was not adopted. |
| Debt recovery fees | Capped at £70 as an interim measure, only once a charge is overdue. | The government plans a further consultation on these fees, which could lower or remove them. |
| Consideration period | Minimum 5 minutes at most sites (not pre-booked parking). | Drivers must have time to read the terms and decide whether to stay. |
| Grace period | Minimum 10 minutes at the end of parking, except short-stay sites offering parking for less than 30 minutes. | Review any ANPR settings that issue charges for very short overstays. |
| ANPR pay before exit | No charge if the driver pays in full before leaving (within 24 hours of arrival for longer stays). | Payment options and terminals must work reliably on site. |
| Appeals | 28 days to appeal; operator response within 28 days; independent second-stage appeal with binding decisions. | Agree how quickly you will supply information to support appeals. |
| Reduced charges | £20 charge in listed cases, such as a valid permit not displayed, the wrong registration entered, or a Blue Badge not displayed where a valid copy is supplied. | Make sure permit and exemption lists are up to date with your operator. |
A new Scrutiny and Oversight Board is also planned to review charge levels and the list of mitigating circumstances, so some figures may change after the Code comes into force.
What landowners and businesses should check now
Most of the Code places duties on parking operators, but landowners are directly affected. Operators must have written authority from you before they can issue charges, and much of what drivers experience depends on decisions you make together.
1. Your agreement with the operator
The Code requires operators to obtain written confirmation from the landowner before issuing parking charges. This covers items such as your identity, a boundary map, any byelaws, how long permission lasts, the terms and tariffs to apply, exemptions, how enforcement works (for example cameras), who is responsible for consents like planning permission for signs, and the approach to appeals. Ask your operator to confirm your existing agreement meets this standard, and update it if not.
2. Signage
Entrance signs must tell drivers that terms apply, whether payment is required or free parking is time-limited, the operator’s name, the accredited parking association logo and whether cash payment is available on site. On-site signs need operator contact details, including out-of-hours contact, and the charge must be shown in text as prominent as the main terms. Words such as “penalty” or “fine” are not permitted unless required by statute.
The government dropped the proposed fixed best-practice sign size, but signs must still be visible and legible, and the Code sets minimum text heights by approach speed. Where you make a material change, such as introducing enforcement or reducing free time, the Code requires temporary notices at the entrance for at least four months.
3. Grace and consideration periods
Check that your ANPR or patrol rules allow at least the minimum consideration and grace periods for your type of car park. The Code also sets a longer minimum consideration period for free car parks with more than 500 spaces, so confirm the settings with your operator rather than assuming the old rules still apply.
4. Payment and pay-before-exit
If you use ANPR, the pay-before-exit protection means drivers who pay in full before leaving should not receive a charge. Machine failures are listed among circumstances that should lead to cancellation on appeal, so reliable terminals and clear alternative payment methods protect both customers and your reputation. Our comparison of ANPR and barrier systems may help if you are reviewing your set-up.
5. Exemptions, permits and customers
Retailers and offices often want staff, contractors or customers to be exempt. Keep permit lists and whitelists current, and agree a fast process for cancelling charges for genuine customers. Failing to register at a terminal is listed for the £20 reduced charge, so think about whether your terminals are easy to find and use.
6. Appeals and complaints
Drivers will have 28 days to appeal, late appeals must be considered in exceptional circumstances, and decisions from the second-stage appeals service are binding on operators. Agree with your operator who handles complaints made directly to your business and how quickly you will provide evidence such as till receipts.
7. Choosing or reviewing an accredited operator
Ask any operator whether it belongs to an accredited parking association, when it expects to be certified under the Private Parking Certification Scheme, how it will update signs and systems before the Code takes effect, who pays for the changes, and what reporting you will receive on charges, appeals and cancellations.
For a wider view of how enforcement fits with customer experience, see our guide to what car park management involves.
Practical checklist for landowners
- Request your current landowner authority and compare it with the Code’s requirements.
- Commission a signage audit covering entrance signs, terms signs and text sizes.
- Confirm consideration and grace period settings in writing.
- Test payment machines, apps and terminals, and check that a fallback exists.
- Update permit, exemption and whitelist procedures.
- Agree appeal and complaint handling responsibilities and timescales.
- Plan temporary entrance notices if you are changing terms.
- Diarise a review once the final Code is issued and again when the Scrutiny and Oversight Board reports.
Enforcement is only one part of running a safe car park. If you have not reviewed your site layout recently, our car park traffic management plan template is a useful companion.
What is still unclear
Some details depend on the final issued Code and on follow-up work: the planned consultation on debt recovery fees, the timetable for the Scrutiny and Oversight Board, and how quickly existing sites must comply after the in-force date. Operators should check the final published code and their accredited parking association’s guidance, and landowners should ask their operator for a written transition plan.
The full text is available in the government response on GOV.UK. This article is general guidance, not legal advice; take specialist legal advice on your own contracts and sites.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Private Parking Code of Practice come into force?
The Code comes into force 21 days after it is issued. Reports in October 2026 pointed to issue around 30 November 2026, putting the in-force date in late December 2026, subject to Parliament.
Does the new Code replace the BPA and IPC codes?
Yes, the statutory Code is expected to replace the industry Sector Single Code. Operators must still be members of an accredited parking association.
What is the maximum private parking charge under the Code?
£100, with at least a 40% discount for payment within 14 days. The charge cap is frozen at this level and will be kept under review by the planned Scrutiny and Oversight Board.
Are landowners responsible under the parking code of practice?
The Code mainly regulates operators, but operators need your written authority covering terms, tariffs, exemptions and enforcement, so landowners must take part in getting the arrangements right.
Do I have to change my car park signs?
Possibly. Check entrance and terms signs against the Code’s content and legibility requirements, and plan four months of temporary notices if you change your terms.
Talk to us about your car park
WWSG supports landowners, retailers and transport hubs with car park management and customer-facing staff. Explore our car park management services or get in touch to discuss preparing your site for the new Code.