The new Private Parking Code of Practice: fairer parking for drivers and landowners
Parking should work for the people who own a site and the people who use it. Residents need access to their spaces, businesses need room for customers, and visitors need clear instructions and a straightforward experience. The government’s new Private Parking Code of Practice puts those expectations firmly in the spotlight.
At Avalon, we welcome higher standards across the industry, and have been striving to deliver a fresh approach with our driver-focused and land owner aligned parking since our founders saw an opportunity to do something different from their initial vision.
We believe effective parking management should protect a site while treating its users fairly. For anyone who owns or manages private parking, the announcement is an opportunity to consider how well their current arrangements deliver both.
What is the new Private Parking Code of Practice?
The new Code covers private parking in England, Scotland and Wales, setting standards for how parking is managed and how charges, appeals and complaints are handled.
The Code is currently expected to come into force on 21 December 2026, although this date remains subject to change. It will replace the existing industry Sector Single Code.
Its provisions include:
Clear signage and understandable parking terms.
Consideration and grace periods, with requirements depending on the parking setting.
An Appeals Charter setting out circumstances where charges must be cancelled or reduced.
Standards for complaints handling and communications.
Data reporting and monitoring of operator compliance.
The full Code explains the conditions and exceptions that apply to each requirement.
Why fair treatment matters to your site
A car park is often someone’s first and last experience of visiting your site or business. Clear, well-managed parking helps those visits run smoothly, and ensures drivers come back again in future.
At the same time, owners also need to address real problems: unauthorised vehicles occupying residents’ spaces, commuters using customer parking or vehicles obstructing access. Good parking management brings these needs together. It helps keep spaces available for their intended users, makes the rules easy to understand and gives people a clear route to support when they need it.
How your parking works is part of how people experience your site. A considerate approach can help protect those relationships while keeping the car park running effectively.
Avalon’s approach: understanding the site and its users
Every site serves different people and has different parking needs. Effective management starts with understanding those needs and how people use the space.
At Avalon, we’ve always considered individual circumstances, and our BPA Approved Operator partners respond appropriately. Reviewing what happened, listening to the explanation and exercising discretion are part of managing parking responsibly.
For owners, our focus is on parking arrangements that work: protecting access, keeping spaces available and providing useful insights to support decisions about their site.
For drivers, the aim is a clear and straightforward experience, with understandable expectations and consideration when something goes wrong.
We welcome a Code that supports these principles through greater clarity, accountability and fair treatment.
Looking for a fairer approach to parking management?
Talk to Avalon about what your site needs and how we can help.
Information correct as of 23 October 2026. This article provides a general overview; please refer to the government’s published Code for the full requirements.
