Civil parking enforcement
We are responsible for monitoring and enforcing parking regulations to ensure the safety of residents and visitors. We will issue fines (penalty charge notices) for any vehicles that aren't parked legally or safely.
Parking in contravention of the parking restrictions causes congestion and inconveniences pedestrians, cyclists, the disabled, delivery vehicles, the emergency services and local transport networks. It can also be dangerous. If your car is causing a safety hazard, source of congestion or obstruction the Police may remove it. All parking restrictions are indicated by signs and markings on the road.
- Our responsibilities
- How we enforce parking regulations
- Parking restrictions
- How to avoid incurring a penalty charge
- Traffic Regulation Orders
Our responsibilities
We are responsible for the enforcement of:
- yellow lines
- residents and disabled parking bays
- bus stops and clearways
- disabled parking bays
- pay and display bays
- council car parks
- taxi ranks
- pedestrian crossing and zig zag markings
- controlled parking areas
- dropped kerbs (vehicle crossovers)
The Police are responsible for:
- obstruction of the highway
- dropped kerbs (vehicle crossovers) and where there are obstruction issues
- pavement parking
- moving traffic offences
How we enforce parking regulations
Civil parking enforcement officers
Our officers visit different areas of Swansea on foot to check that residents and visitors are parking legally and safely for all road and pavement users. Once a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) has been served, the officer is unable to retract it.
The officers have a difficult but important job and whilst we appreciate that nobody wants a PCN, it is important that these staff are treated with courtesy and respect. Anyone demonstrating aggressive behaviours towards our officers may result in being reported to the Police.
If you have feedback on the conduct or behaviour of a parking enforcement officer please let us know: Comments, compliments, complaints
Camera car
The Swansea Council camera car is clearly marked. It is fitted with a camera and automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) technology to capture any parking infringements.
The camera car will operate 7 days a week subject to business needs.
Parking restrictions
Road markings such as yellow lines, loading bays, bus stops and residents zones, show that a parking restriction applies. There will be a sign explaining the parking restrictions near the road markings. It is the driver's responsibility to make sure that their vehicles are parked correctly and not causing any obstructions. If you have parked your vehicle correctly then you should not be issued with penalty charge notices.
- The Highway Code - waiting and parking (GOV.UK) (opens new window)
- The Highway Code - traffic signs (GOV.UK) (opens new window)
- The Highway Code - road markings (GOV.UK) (opens new window)
Waiting restrictions
Waiting restrictions apply to the carriageway, pavement and verge.
Double yellow lines on the road mean that you cannot park (or wait in the vehicle) in this area at any time (if the restrictions are seasonal it will be indicated on nearby signs). None of the wheels of your vehicle should be on the double yellow lines. You are allowed to stop temporarily on double yellow lines to unload or to drop passengers (see also loading restrictions). Once you have done so you should move your vehicle at once.
Note that double yellow lines mean no waiting even if there are no upright signs in the area.
A single yellow line on the road shows a restriction that applies for part of the day and/or on certain days of the week. The timing of the restriction will be shown on a sign close to the roadside or on the entry sign to controlled parking zones*.
White dotted lines on the road show an area in which parking is permitted in line with the restrictions shown on the nearby signs. This may include the maximum duration of parking (for example 2 hours), the permitted parking times and/or days*, the permitted return interval and/or the required permit. To park correctly all of the wheels of the vehicle should be within the bay markings.
* If no days are shown on the signs, the restrictions are in force every day including Sundays and bank holidays. If the days of the restriction are shown to include weekdays then the restriction applies to bank holidays unless the signs show otherwise.
Loading restrictions
Yellow marks on the kerb or at the edge of the carriageway mean loading and unloading is not allowed.
A single yellow bar means loading is not permitted at the times shown on the nearby signs (the terms used on the signs are the same as those explained above for waiting restrictions).
Two yellow bars mean loading is not permitted at any time.
Loading bays are usually marked on the road and shown on signs. You may not wait in these areas unless you are loading or unloading.
School keep clear markings
You must not stop, park, pick up nor drop off passengers on areas shown by school keep clear markings.
Other restrictions
Parking is governed by rules 238-252 of the Highway Code. The rules contained in the Highway Code have the force of law and apply to the drivers and passengers of all vehicles and to cyclists and pedestrians. It is the responsibility of all drivers to be and stay familiar with the Highway Code.
How to avoid incurring a penalty charge
Do:
- park safely
- park in the permitted spaces provided
- check the sign plates for time limits, these can vary - please note that the signs can be some distance away if the area is part of a controlled parking zone
- depart within the time limit
- use and display your disabled person's badge as instructed within the blue badge book
- load and unload as quickly as possible
- look at the road markings before parking
- read the highway code to refresh your memory of the meaning of markings
- be aware waiting restrictions apply to the whole of the highway including verges and pavements
- display all pay and display tickets correctly
Do not:
- park on yellow lines
- cause an obstruction
- park on bus stop or clearways even to drop people off
- park on zig zag lines
- park or wait in taxi ranks - 'tow away' zones apply to all taxi ranks
Traffic Regulation Orders
We can only enforce a parking restriction if a valid Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) is in place. TROs can be viewed under the TRO Library on the Traffic Penalty Tribunal's website. Please be aware that newly introduced TROs may take a little time to appear within the library.