Contesting a Parking
Citation
What Happens After You Receive
A Parking Citation?
Any photos taken at the time the citation was issued will be posted on-line within 24-48 hours afterwards. Exceptions such as hand-written citations, weather conditions or low camera visibility may result in photos not being available for some citations. Absence of a photo does not void a citation.
A notice is sent to the registered
owner's address explaining that a ticket has been issued
and the date 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. If the citation remains unpaid, an additional $15 penalty is applied and the citation may be turned over to a 3rd party collection agency and/or liened with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). 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 the vehicle without paying all outstanding parking citations which have been liened. For downtown or midtown Sacramento area residents who need a residential permit to park near their homes, the registered vehicle(s) must be clear of any outstanding parking citations in order to obtain any permits.
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How To Pay For Parking Citations
Citations may be paid for online, by telephone, by mail or in-person at the Revenue Division. All citations must be paid within 21 calendar days from the issue date on the citation or a penalty will be assessed.
Pay parking citation online.
To Pay-by-Phone: 1-888-266-1314
Please have the citation number and form of credit card payment available (only Visa or MasterCard accepted).
To pay in-person or by mail, please visit or mail your payment to:
Revenue Division
New City Hall
915 I Street, Room 1214
Sacramento, CA 95814
See Revenue Office Hours
Payment plan options or questions about how much is owed on a citation may be directed to the Revenue Division at 916-808-8500.
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How To Contest A Parking Citation
If you wish to contest a parking citation, you may do so online or in writing within 21 calendar days of the citation issue date. Fill out a Citation Contest Form, or write a letter that contains the following information.
- Name, Address, City, State, Zip Code, Daytime Phone number
- Citation Number
- Date of the Citation
- Location of Citation
- Violation Code
- Vehicle License Number
- For meter-related citations: Meter address and "PKGS" number located on pole (single space meters) or on face of Pay & Display (green kiosks) meters
- The reason for contesting the citation, including any supporting documentation such as pictures or drawings.
If not completing online, please mail 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.
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,
See Revenue Office Hours
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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:
Phone: |
(916) 808-5354 |
Fax: |
(916) 808-1935 |
Office
(mail or visit): |
Revenue Division
915 I Street, Room 1214
Sacramento, CA 95814
|
Office
Hours: |
Monday – Friday,
See Revenue Office Hours |
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|
