Pay or Appeal A Parking Citation

The first step is an Administrative Review to determine if the citation was validly issued. This allows the agency to dismiss the citation if there are facts, events or circumstances that were unknown to the issuing officer that may affect the validity of the citation. The issuing agency may also feel that extenuating circumstances make dismissal of the citation appropriate in the interest of justice. Pursuant to State law, requests for Administrative Review must be received (postmarked) within 21 calendar days from the date the citation was issued, or within 14 days of the mailing of the Notice of Parking Violation.

To submit your Administrative Review online answer the following:

1. Is the information on the citation accurate?
2. Did the driver comply with the relevant parking regulation?
3. Were there mitigating circumstances that prevented the driver from complying with the relevant parking regulation and, if so, did the driver take reasonable and timely steps to cure the violation?

If the answers to the second two of these questions are "no", there is little choice but to uphold the citation at this level of the appeal/review.

Common reasons that DO NOT support dismissing a citation are:

• I was only in violation for a minute;
• I did not know that I could not park there;
• I think the fine is too high;
• I did not see the signs or curb markings;
• I cannot afford to pay the fine;
• I have never had a ticket before;
• I will never do it again

The owner and the driver of the vehicle are both responsible for the parking citation and bear the burden of proof when contesting the citation. Notice of the decision will be mailed to you regardless of the outcome and further instructions given if necessary.

Persons appealing their citations may present anything they wish to support their position that the citation should be dismissed. This may include statements, charts, diagrams, photographs, drawings, maps or receipts just to name a few. It is also important that the citation number, vehicle license plate number and state be included with the request. A clear copy of the citation attached to the appeal is beneficial and may expedite processing. We suggest you retain a copy for your records.

Submit Your Administrative Review Online Here - Enter the license plate or citation/notice number to appeal the citation and upload supporting documentation.

To submit your Administrative Review by Mail, send your written request and supporting documentation to:

SDCCD Parking Services, 1536 Frazee Road, San Diego, CA 92108

Although no particular forms are necessary, please be as brief and concise as possible. It is important that the citation number, vehicle license plate number and state be included with the request. A clear copy of the citation attached to the appeal is beneficial and may expedite processing. We suggest you retain a copy for your records.

No payment is required at this time. The decision of the Administrative Review will be mailed to you within 10 days. It is your responsibility to follow-up and make sure that the appeal was received by the deadline. Call 619-388-6416 before the deadline of 21 days after the citation issuance date to check the status of your appeal.

If your appeal is denied at the first stage, you can present your appeal to an Administrative hearing officer. This is the second step of the appeal process. State law requires that the fees due on the citation be deposited at the time the hearing request is made.

Hearing requests can be made:

• Via Mail: Send in your payment with a note indicating that you would like a hearing by mail or in person.
• In Person: Visit our office and let the clerk at the front desk know you would like to schedule a hearing.
• Over the Phone: Call us at 619-388-6416 and let the customer service representative know you would like a hearing.

SDCCD Parking Services will present a copy of the citation and any additional statements, photos or other documentation provided by the officer in support of the citation.

Should the citation be dismissed, Parking Administration will refund your fee deposit. If the decision of the hearing officer is not to your satisfaction, the decision can be appealed to Superior Court.

Administrative hearings are held monthly. You may schedule an appointment to meet personally with the hearing officer or you may choose to have a written hearing. If you opt for the written hearing, a Trial by Declaration form will be mailed to you within two weeks of your request. Follow the instructions to complete the form and return it to our office by the specified due date. Call our office at 619-388-6416 if you do not receive your appointment letter or Trial by Declaration Form within two weeks.

Failure to appear for a scheduled hearing or failure to return the Trial by Declaration form by the specified date will result in your citation being upheld and forfeiture of any additional appeal rights.

If you are unable to pay the fine amount, you may be eligible to appear without first paying the fine if you can demonstrate "Indigent Status" (financial need). You must complete an Indigent Status Application and provide proof of your income and/or participation in public assistance programs such as TANF, SSI, Unemployment, etc.. Approval of your application allows you to have a Hearing or Trial by Declaration without first paying the fine; it does not relieve you of the responsibility for paying the fine if your citation is upheld at Hearing.

The Administrative hearing officer's decision can be appealed to the Superior Court. When doing so, a $25 Civil Court Filing Fee must be paid. The Court takes a fresh look at the facts surrounding the issuance of the citation, and the materials presented in support of having the citation dismissed. Once a decision has been given by the Court, there is no further appeal. The Court's decision is final. If the citation is upheld, the Court keeps the $25 Civil Court Filing Fee and Parking Administration keeps the citation fees previously deposited to satisfy the citation. However, if the citation is dismissed, Parking Administration refunds the $25 Civil Court Filing Fee and the fees deposited on the citation with proof of payment.

For questions or concerns, please call 619-388-6416 for more information.

The SDCCD Parking Citation Review Process, Administrative Hearing Process and Court Administration Process (Policy 7999) are mandated by California Vehicle Code Article 3, Sections 40200.7 and 40215, which was enacted by the State Legislature, Assembly Bill 408, effective July 1, 1993, and Assembly Bill 1228, effective January 1, 1996. All time restrictions, with respect to different appeal levels, are made pursuant to the aforementioned legislation.