| Election Name: | 1986 Harlow District Council election[1] [2] |
| Type: | Parliamentary |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Party Colour: | yes |
| Previous Election: | 1984 Harlow District Council election |
| Previous Year: | 1984 |
| Next Election: | 1987 Harlow District Council election |
| Next Year: | 1987 |
| Seats For Election: | 14 of the 42 seats to Harlow District Council |
| Majority Seats: | 22 |
| Election Date: | 8 May 1986 |
| Party1: | Labour Party (UK) |
| Last Election1: | 33 |
| Seats Before1: | 34 |
| Seats1: | 13 |
| Seat Change1: | 2 |
| Seats After1: | 36 |
| Popular Vote1: | 12,987 |
| Percentage1: | 61.8% |
| Party2: | SDP-Liberal Alliance |
| Last Election2: | 5 |
| Seats Before2: | 5 |
| Seats2: | 1 |
| Seat Change2: | 1 |
| Seats After2: | 4 |
| Popular Vote2: | 4,819 |
| Percentage2: | 22.9% |
| Party3: | Conservative Party (UK) |
| Last Election3: | 4 |
| Seats Before3: | 3 |
| Seats3: | 0 |
| Seat Change3: | 1 |
| Seats After3: | 2 |
| Popular Vote3: | 3,224 |
| Percentage3: | 15.3% |
| Map Size: | 300px |
| Council control | |
| Posttitle: | Council control after election |
| Before Election: | Labour |
| After Election: | Labour |
The 1986 Harlow District Council election took place on 8 May 1986 to elect members of Harlow District Council in Essex, England. This was on the same day as other local elections. The Labour Party retained control of the council.
All comparisons in vote share are to the corresponding 1982 election.