On-Street Parking

Contesting a Parking Citation

• Agencies that the City of Sacramento process parking citations
  for in Sacramento County. (pdf)
• What Happens After You Receive A Parking Citation?
• How to Contest a Parking Citation
• What Happens Next?
• Administrative Hearings
• How to Contact The Parking Office

What Happens After You Receive A Parking Citation?

A notice of Delinquent Parking is sent to the registered owner's address explaining that a ticket has been issued and when the parking penalty becomes delinquent the notice includes a description of the violation, the license plate number and the amount due.

If the citation is paid within 21 calendar days from the issue date of the ticket, no more action is required. The citation does not affect vehicle insurance as it is not a moving violation. If the citation is not paid, and the registered owner of the vehicle does not contest the citation, the citation becomes delinquent and the fine is doubled after 21 calendar days of receiving the Notice of Parking violation. A $5.00 fee is added onto the doubled fine for administrative costs. An additional $3.00 lien fee for the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), will be added to the total penalty, if the vehicle is liened. This lien means that when the registered owner re-registers their vehicle, the citation's fine will be included with the original registration fee. One will not be able to re-register their vehicle without paying all outstanding parking citations which have been liened.

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How To Contest A Parking Citation

If you wish to contest a parking citation, you may do so in writing within 21 days of the citation issue date. You can fill out a Citation Contest Form, or write a letter that contains the following information.

• Name, Address, City, State, Zip Code, Daytime Phone number
• The Citation Number
• The Date of the Citation
• Location of the Citation
• The Violation Code
• Vehicle License Number
• Meter # (if applicable)
• The reason for contesting the citation. Including any supporting documentation such as pictures or drawings.

Go to the Revenue Services Forms web page to download the Parking Ticket Citation Contest form.

Send the form and/or letter to:
City of Sacramento Revenue Division
915 I Street, Room 1214
Sacramento, CA 95814

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What Happens Next?

When the contest form is received, the "penalty clock" stops until the citation is reviewed. There are no additional penalties assessed during this time.

The citation will be reviewed by the issuing agency. An investigation of the citation may be made. This may include an on-site, verification of defective meters by the Parking Meter Repair Shop, etc.

If the citation is found to be invalid, you will be notified by mail and no further action is required.

If the citation is found to be valid, you must pay the penalty amount due, or request an administrative hearing and deposit the full amount due by the deadline on the mailed notice.

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Administrative Hearings

If you decide to request an Administrative Hearing, you must mail to the address below:

• Your written reasons for requesting a hearing and any supporting evidence.
• Include the full amount of the penalty as a deposit. (If you are unable to pay the penalty deposit, you may be granted an exemption. To qualify for the exemption, you must have an approved Financial Evaluation Waiver form. You may request the form "Parking Citation Payment Application for Financial Evaluation " by writing to the below address.

Mail your request for an Administrative Hearing to: City of Sacramento Revenue Division, 915 I Street, Room 1214, Sacramento, CA 95814. Your request must be received by the deadline shown on your notice, or the penalty will be increased and you will not have another opportunity to be heard.

Tell us in your letter if you wish to have your hearing by mail or in person. If in person, you will be advised of your hearing date, time and location.

For more information call Revenue Services, (916) 808-8500, Mon-Fri 8am - 5pm.

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How To Contact The Parking Office

If you need to contact someone in the Parking Division about our services, or to answer any questions, here's how to find us:

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