Parking Enforcement

Civil Enforcement Officers (CEOs) are employed by the Council to enforce on-street parking restrictions (yellow lines, waiting restrictions, loading bays, disabled bays etc.) and the enforcement of the Council's car parks.

The CEOs are fully trained and professional. They are easily recognisable by their blue uniforms and logos. The CEOs make regular patrols throughout the District seven days a week including the evenings.

Parking Penalty Charge Notices

The Traffic Management Act & Civil Enforcement of Parking Contraventions (England) General Regulations 2007 deals with legislation regarding parking enforcement effective from 31 March 2008. If you do not display a valid parking ticket or permit you could be issued immediately with a Penalty Charge Notice.

Penalty Charge Notices are either £70 (higher level) or £50 (lower level), with corresponding reductions to £35 or £25 if payment is made within 14 days. The level of charge which applies to different contraventions has been fixed by the Secretary of State: a higher level applies generally where a vehicle has parked where it is not allowed, and the lower level where parking is allowed but the vehicle has not complied with the conditions for parking (for example exceeding the maximum time limit or not displaying a Pay & Display ticket).

How much is the parking fine?

The charge for infringing all parking restrictions, enforced through the issue of a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN), is £50 or £70 depending on the contravention. For details of how to pay please see the reverse of the Penalty Charge Notice (PCN).

Can I appeal?

For full details please see our Appealing Against a Parking Fine pages.

More information

For more information on decriminalisation of parking enforcement in Essex see the Essex County Council website.