Portsmouth City • code 23

Code 23 PCN from Portsmouth City: Parked in a parking place or area not designated for that class of vehicle

Contravention code 23 is a parking contravention, enforced by civil enforcement officers. If you have received this PCN from Portsmouth City, Parking Mate AI can check it for defects and prepare a challenge letter for Traffic Penalty Tribunal.

Traffic Penalty Tribunalcode 23CEO Enforced
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Quick answer

Contravention code 23 means: Parked in a parking place or area not designated for that class of vehicle. This is a parking contravention issued under the Civil Enforcement of Road Traffic Contraventions (General Provisions) Regulations 2022. Portsmouth City enforces this via civil enforcement officers on the street.

What a Portsmouth City code 23 PCN means for you

You have received a penalty charge notice from Portsmouth City with contravention code 23. In plain English, this means the council considers that you parked in a parking place or area not designated for that class of vehicle.

The legal basis for this PCN is the parking enforcement scheme, backed by a traffic regulation order (TRO or TMO) that Portsmouth City must have properly made and signed. Without a valid order and compliant signage, the restriction is not enforceable.

To challenge this PCN, you can make formal representations to Portsmouth City. If the council rejects your representations, you have the right to appeal to Traffic Penalty Tribunal. The adjudicator's decision is independent and binding on the council.

Defects checked on a Portsmouth City code 23 PCN

C1

Wrong contravention code applied to the alleged offence

C2

No contravention actually occurred at the time stated

S2

Required signage is missing or not visible from the parking place

S5

Signs are obscured, damaged, or do not comply with the Traffic Signs Regulations

D3

Traffic regulation order (TRO) is defective or does not cover the location

D4

Traffic management order (TMO) does not match the restriction signed on street

F7

PCN does not contain all the information required by regulations

F8

PCN was not served within the statutory time limit

F9

Notice to owner was not issued within the required period

E1

No photographic evidence supporting the alleged contravention

Evidence to gather for a Portsmouth City code 23 challenge

The PCN itself

Photos of signage at the location

Photos of road markings

Any payment receipts

Dashcam footage if available

FAQs

Portsmouth City code 23 PCN FAQs

Common questions about contravention code 23 PCNs from Portsmouth City and how to challenge them.

What does code 23 mean on a Portsmouth City PCN?

Contravention code 23 on a Portsmouth City PCN means: Parked in a parking place or area not designated for that class of vehicle. This is a parking contravention enforced by civil enforcement officers within the Portsmouth City area.

How do I challenge a Portsmouth City code 23 penalty charge?

You can make formal representations to Portsmouth City within 28 days of receiving the notice to owner. If Portsmouth City rejects your representations, you have 28 days to appeal to Traffic Penalty Tribunal. Upload your PCN and Parking Mate AI identifies the grounds specific to code 23.

What are the common defences for code 23 in Portsmouth City?

Common defences for a Portsmouth City code 23 PCN include inadequate or missing signage, a defective traffic regulation order, failure to follow the observation procedure, incorrect contravention code, and procedural failures in serving the notice.

Can Portsmouth City use the wrong contravention code instead of code 23?

Yes. If Portsmouth City has issued your PCN with contravention code 23 but the code does not accurately describe what happened, this is a valid ground for challenge. The contravention code must match the restriction actually in force at the location and time stated.

How long do I have to respond to a Portsmouth City code 23 PCN?

You typically have 28 days to pay at the discounted rate or make an informal challenge. After a notice to owner, you have 28 days for formal representations. If Portsmouth City rejects those, you have 28 days to appeal to Traffic Penalty Tribunal. Check your code 23 PCN promptly.

What evidence do I need for a Portsmouth City code 23 challenge?

For a Portsmouth City code 23 challenge, gather the PCN itself, photos of signage and road markings at the location, any payment receipts, dashcam footage if available, and a written note of why you believe code 23 was incorrectly applied.

Is a Portsmouth City code 23 PCN always correctly issued?

No. A Portsmouth City code 23 PCN may be incorrectly issued for several reasons: the signage may not comply with regulations, the observation period may not have been followed correctly, the TRO may be defective, or the code may not match what actually happened.

What happens if I ignore a Portsmouth City code 23 PCN?

Ignoring a Portsmouth City code 23 PCN leads to escalation: notice to owner, then a charge certificate (increasing the penalty by 50%), then registration at the Traffic Enforcement Centre, and eventually bailiff enforcement. Responding early preserves the most options.

Does Portsmouth City handle code 23 PCNs differently from other councils?

Each council has its own enforcement patterns and approach. Portsmouth City has specific local factors, including local authority parking enforcement Parking Mate AI applies Portsmouth City-specific checks when analysing your code 23 PCN.

How does Parking Mate AI help with a Portsmouth City code 23 PCN?

Upload your Portsmouth City code 23 PCN and Parking Mate AI reads the details automatically. It checks whether code 23 was correctly applied, whether the signage and procedure meet the required standards, and whether the notice was properly served. If defects are found, you receive a professional challenge letter for Traffic Penalty Tribunal.

Got a Portsmouth City code 23 PCN? Check it before you pay

Upload your penalty charge notice for a free Parking Mate AI defect check. If grounds are found for your Portsmouth City code 23 PCN, get a professional challenge letter for Traffic Penalty Tribunal.

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