How to Contest a Parking Ticket Online in California

You have 21 days. That's the window California law gives you to contest a parking citation before the city treats it as accepted — and the clock starts the moment the ticket was issued, not when you discover it tucked under your wiper blade.

California Vehicle Code § 40215 standardizes the dispute process statewide, which means whether your ticket came from LADOT in Los Angeles, SFMTA in San Francisco, San Diego Parking, or any other city agency, the same three-tier structure applies. The good news: most people don't know about tiers two and three, which is exactly where dismissals actually happen.

The Three-Tier Process You Must Understand

Most drivers who contest a ticket do it once — they submit an online form explaining what happened, get a form rejection letter, and give up. That is the wrong move. The system is designed to filter out protests at Step 1. Step 2 is where the real hearing happens.

Step 1 — Initial Administrative Review (Free) Request this within 21 days of citation issuance. Submit online, by phone, or by mail. The agency reviews your written statement and any attached evidence. No hearing officer is involved — this is an internal clerical review. Roughly 30% of tickets get dismissed here. The other 70% get a "Notice of Decision" letter upholding the ticket.

Step 2 — Administrative Hearing (Fine deposit required) You have 21 days from the mailing date of the Step 1 denial to request a hearing. You must deposit the full fine amount upfront (CVC § 40215(b)), though indigent drivers can apply for a payment waiver under CVC § 40220. This hearing is conducted by a neutral examiner — not the agency that issued your ticket. You can appear in person or submit a written declaration. This is where well-prepared arguments with real evidence win.

Step 3 — Superior Court Civil Appeal ($25 filing fee) If the Administrative Hearing goes against you, you have 30 days to file a de novo civil appeal in Superior Court (CVC § 40230). "De novo" means the judge starts fresh — your $25 filing fee is recoverable if you win.

Valid Reasons to Appeal a California Parking Ticket

Subjective claims fail. "I was only there for two minutes" or "I didn't see the sign" are not legal defenses. What the hearing examiner needs is an objective, code-based argument.

Signage problems (CVC § 22507.6 — Street Sweeping) Street sweeping signs must give "adequate notice." If the sign on the approach to your block was missing, obscured by a city tree, or covered in graffiti, photograph it. A request under the California Public Records Act (CPRA) for the city's sign maintenance log can confirm whether the sign had been reported damaged before your ticket date.

Broken meter defense (CVC § 22508.5) If the meter could not accept any form of payment — not just coins, but credit card as well — you were legally permitted to park for the posted time limit without penalty. The meter must be completely inoperable. If the coin slot jammed but the card reader worked, this defense doesn't apply. Video evidence of the coin slot rejecting coins and the card reader failing is the gold standard here. Always call the city's broken meter hotline immediately (LADOT: 877-215-3958) and note the reference number.

Missing or faded red curb paint (CVC § 21458) Red curb restrictions are only enforceable if the paint is clearly visible. Faded paint that a reasonable person would not identify as a restriction is a defensible situation — photograph it from the angle a driver approaching the space would see it.

Inaccurate citation details If the officer recorded the wrong color of your vehicle, wrong license plate, wrong street name, or wrong time, these errors can support dismissal. The citation must accurately describe the violation.

Daylighting (AB 413 — effective January 1, 2025) Note: this law works against you, not for you. As of 2025, parking within 20 feet of a crosswalk approach is prohibited statewide under CVC § 22500(n) — even if the curb is unpainted. If you received a ticket near a corner and assumed you were fine because there was no red paint, the "no red paint" argument no longer holds.

How to Write a Parking Ticket Appeal Letter

Your letter for the Initial Review should include:

• Citation number, license plate, and date of violation at the top
• One clear opening sentence stating the specific legal ground for your contest: "I am contesting citation #[Number] issued on [Date] based on inoperable meter under CVC § 22508.5."
• Two or three factual statements with supporting evidence: "The meter at [Location] rejected coin payment and displayed an error on the card reader. I recorded a video at [time] showing both failures. I also reported the broken meter to LADOT at [time], reference number [XXXX]."
• A list of your attachments: "Exhibit A: Video of meter malfunction. Exhibit B: LADOT repair call reference number."
• A closing request: "I request this citation be dismissed."

Keep it factual. Keep it short. The examiner reviews dozens of these. A two-paragraph letter that cites a specific CVC section and references documentary evidence is more persuasive than a three-page narrative about your day.

How to Check the Status of Your Parking Ticket Appeal

Each city has its own portal:

• Los Angeles: ladotparking.org — search by citation number or license plate
• San Francisco: sfmta.com — "Contest Citation" section
• San Diego: sandiego.gov/parking/citations/appeal
• Sacramento: SacPark.org or cityofsacramento.gov
• Oakland: oaklandca.gov (challenge a parking ticket)
• San Jose: pticket.com/sanjose

After filing your Initial Review, review decisions typically take two to six weeks. You will receive a mailed "Notice of Decision." Log into the portal periodically to check status — the city will not always email you.

Should You Use a Parking Ticket Appeals Service?

Third-party services that offer to contest your ticket on your behalf range from AI-driven tools (notably DoNotPay, which settled a $193,000 FTC complaint in 2024 for deceptive "robot lawyer" claims) to human-staffed services. The problem with parking tickets specifically is economics: the fine is typically $60–$90. A service that charges $30–$50 for a contested ticket leaves you with limited net savings, and most will not pursue Step 2 hearings on your behalf.

The California administrative process is designed to be navigated by the registered owner of the vehicle — no legal background required. You have the right to appear at a hearing yourself and present your evidence directly.

The California Parking Ticket Dispute Guide walks through every step of all three tiers, with city-specific portal instructions, violation-specific defense strategies by CVC code, and appeal letter templates you can adapt directly.

What Happens If You Miss the 21-Day Window

Missing the Initial Review deadline doesn't automatically close all doors, but it significantly narrows them. You may still be able to request a hearing directly if you can demonstrate good cause for the delay. However, once a citation enters the delinquent phase, late fees are added (typically 100% of the original fine), and the ticket can result in a DMV registration hold under CVC § 4760 — your vehicle cannot be registered until the outstanding balance is cleared.

If you're already past 21 days, act immediately. The earlier you engage, the more options remain available.

FAQ

Can I contest a parking ticket online in California? Yes. Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento, Oakland, and San Jose all have online portals for Initial Administrative Review. Submit your statement, upload photos or video, and track status through the portal.

How long does a parking ticket appeal take in California? Initial Review decisions typically arrive within 2–6 weeks by mail. Administrative Hearing scheduling varies by city but often runs 4–8 weeks after request. Superior Court timelines vary.

Do I have to pay before contesting? No — you do not pay during Step 1 (Initial Review). Step 2 (Administrative Hearing) requires a fine deposit upfront, which is refunded if you win.