Parking enforcement overview
Responsibility for enforcing parking, waiting, and loading restrictions has transferred from Police Scotland to Highland Council. We also have powers to uplift vehicles when necessary.
From 2024, we are also enforcing the national ban on:
- pavement parking
- double parking
- parking at dropped kerbs (for pedestrians and cyclists)
Find out more about Pavement, double and dropped kerb parking ban
Police Scotland remains responsible for reportable traffic offences, such as dangerous parking or obstruction. They hold the powers to act on obstruction offences, and where vehicles are parked on zig-zag approaches to pedestrian crossings. A vehicle causing an obstruction is one which has been parked and left unattended in such a way that it is considered to be a hazard to other road or footway users
Find out more about Decriminalised Parking Enforcement (DPE)
Read our Parking Policy Document
Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs)
Revenue from PCNs is used solely to maintain the parking enforcement service. Any surplus is strictly controlled and can only be spent on traffic-related projects.
Due to limited back-office staffing, telephone support is unavailable.
You can still:
Permit parking
If your parking permit is due to expire or has recently expired, visit our [Permits Page] to apply for a renewal.
Live parking issues
For live parking concerns (not PCN challenges), contact our Control Room:
Email: parking@highland.gov.uk
Phone: 01463 239786
Pay and display parking
We offer Pay and Display parking at both on-street and off-street locations across Highland.
Payment options include:
- Cash
- Card
- Cashless via RingGo mobile app or website
If you need a receipt for a card payment visit My Parking Receipts
Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs)
Explore our live Waiting and Loading Orders using our interactive MAP Viewer (BETA site)