Horsham District Code 89 PCN Appeal (2026)

1. What does Horsham District Code 89 mean?

Code 89 alleges exceeding a council car park's permitted vehicle weight, height or length. The exact dimension matters. A sign using maximum gross weight raises a different factual question from the vehicle's actual weight on the day, and fitting under an entrance barrier does not necessarily establish compliance with every condition.

Contravention

Code 89 alleges exceeding a council car park's permitted vehicle weight, height or length

Category

Council Car Park PCNs

Issuing authority

Horsham District Council

Formal representation deadline

28 days beginning with service of the Notice to Owner or postal parking PCN.

Penalty and discount

Use the charge and discount printed on your PCN; the applicable amount depends on the notice and contravention date.

Initial discount

The initial 50% discount applies for 14 days beginning with PCN service, or 21 days for an approved-device postal parking PCN. An early challenge may lead to a renewed discount if rejected; check the council's policy and the amount and deadline in its reply.

Appeal route

Horsham District, then Traffic Penalty Tribunal after a formal Notice of Rejection.

2. What must Horsham District establish?

Record the complete limit, units and wording, including whether it concerns weight, height or length. Show any separate area where different vehicle limits apply.

Compare the entrance information with the parking conditions and vehicle specifications. Passing under a barrier does not establish compliance with a separate weight or length restriction.

• The applicable order and conditions must set the particular weight, height or length limit for the car park or area occupied.
• The limit and its scope should be clearly communicated. An entrance-clearance warning is not necessarily the same as the parking restriction alleged.
• The evidence must use the correct vehicle and measurement definition. A maximum-gross-weight limit is not answered simply by showing that the vehicle was empty.
• The vehicle must exceed the relevant limit after any applicable authorisation or larger-vehicle arrangement is considered. Buying additional tickets does not itself remove the limit.

3. Grounds and exemptions for a Horsham District Code 89 appeal

The statutory ground must match what happened. These code-specific points explain how to establish it.

A permitted coach, motorhome or larger-vehicle area may have different conditions. Do not assume every van is prohibited or every motorhome is allowed. Payment, extra tickets or a Blue Badge do not automatically override a size limit.

• The vehicle was within the relevant limit. Supply the manufacturer's specification, plated information or reliable measurement for the dimension actually alleged.
• The authority used the wrong definition or specification. Compare gross, laden or unladen weight where relevant, and identify any incorrect model, conversion or dimensions used in the decision.
• The limit did not apply to the parking area occupied. Show designated larger-vehicle spaces, applicable signs and the site plan.
• Specific authorisation covered the vehicle, or the restriction was not adequately communicated. Provide the permission or approach photographs and explain the exact mismatch.
• The alleged parking contravention did not happen, including where a relevant exemption applied or the restriction was not adequately signed.
• You were not the owner at the relevant time: you never owned the vehicle, sold it before the event or acquired it afterwards.
• The vehicle was under someone else's control without the owner's consent at the time of the alleged contravention.
• You are a vehicle-hire firm and the vehicle was hired under a qualifying agreement with a signed statement accepting PCN liability. Supply the hirer's name and address.
• The authority is demanding more than the penalty legally applicable to this case.
• The authority failed to comply with a statutory requirement in imposing or recovering the penalty: a procedural impropriety.
• The traffic order relied on is invalid, except an order subject to Part 6 of Schedule 9 to the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.
• For a postal PCN relying on prevented service or a qualifying drive-away under regulation 10(2)(b) or (c), nobody prevented the officer from attaching or handing over the PCN. This is not the ground for an approved-device postal PCN.
• The enforcement notice should not have been served because the penalty was already paid in full, or at the valid discounted amount by the applicable deadline. Paying a parking tariff is different from paying the penalty.

4. How to make a formal representation to Horsham District

For a parking PCN attached to the vehicle or handed to the driver, send an informal challenge to Horsham District. Formal representations are made against the Notice to Owner, or directly against a postal parking PCN, within 28 days beginning with service. Respond to the formal notice even if an earlier informal challenge is unanswered.

The initial 50% discount applies for 14 days beginning with PCN service, or 21 days for an approved-device postal parking PCN. An early challenge may lead to a renewed discount if rejected; check the council's policy and the amount and deadline in its reply.

• The full PCN allegation and photographs identifying the vehicle and parking area.
• The manufacturer's or registration records relevant to the weight or dimensions in dispute.
• Measurements of the vehicle, including relevant attachments where the restriction requires them.
• The entrance sign, area-specific limit and any larger-vehicle authorisation.

1. Follow the submission instructions on your current notice. The link below is Horsham District's official parking information, not a verified submission form.
2. Check the issuing authority, PCN reference and vehicle registration on your current notice before choosing a challenge route.
3. Use the submission method and deadline stated on your current notice. Check that any online form is for the notice type and stage you have.
4. Keep a copy of your submission and attachments, and retain any acknowledgement or postal delivery record.
5. Explain which part of the Code 89 allegation you dispute. Include the PCN reference, vehicle registration, your address and copies of photographs or records supporting each point.
6. Save the full submission, attachments and dated acknowledgement.

5. How long does Horsham District have to respond?

Horsham District must serve its decision within 56 days beginning with receipt of qualifying formal representations. If it fails to comply, those representations are deemed accepted. This statutory period applies to formal representations, not an informal challenge or a request for photographs.

6. If Horsham District rejects your representation

A formal Notice of Rejection explains Horsham District's decision and how to appeal to Traffic Penalty Tribunal. You have 28 days beginning with service of that notice to pay or register your tribunal appeal.

Compare the reply with the Code 89 grounds and evidence you submitted. Identify any unanswered point, missing evidence or inconsistency between the restriction and the recorded event. Keep the rejection notice and the appeal details supplied with it.

An informal rejection is different: formal representations can be made if a Notice to Owner follows.

7. Taking your Horsham District appeal to Traffic Penalty Tribunal

Traffic Penalty Tribunal is independent of Horsham District. Use the registration instructions and verification details in the Notice of Rejection, upload your evidence and explain why the alleged Code 89 contravention or liability is disputed.

There is no fee to register the appeal. If it is refused, the full penalty is normally payable; an earlier discount does not automatically continue. If registering late, explain the delay so the adjudicator can decide whether to accept the appeal.

Read Horsham District's evidence pack and respond to the points relevant to your case. Keep to the tribunal's directions and evidence deadlines.

2025 London Tribunals results: shared context

4,151 of 13,391 recorded cases were allowed (31.0%).

Full Code 89 PCN Appeal Guide

Read the detailed legislation, signage requirements, exemptions and case analysis for this contravention.