How to Fight a Parking Ticket in Los Angeles (and Actually Win)

Most people either pay their LA parking ticket immediately or give up after getting a form-letter denial from LADOT. Both responses hand the city exactly what it wants. The truth is that a well-prepared contest — one that cites the right California Vehicle Code section and attaches objective evidence — wins at a meaningful rate, especially at Step 2. Here's how to do it.

Why Most LADOT Disputes Fail at Step 1

LADOT's Initial Administrative Review is the first step in the process, and the city denies roughly 70% of them. That number isn't a sign that most people are wrong — it reflects the fact that most people submit subjective complaints ("I was only there five minutes") rather than legal arguments.

The Initial Review is handled internally by LADOT staff, not an independent officer. The reviewer is not going to give you the benefit of the doubt. What does work is presenting a specific legal defect in the citation: a CVC section that the city failed to comply with, backed by photographic evidence.

If you get denied at Step 1, do not stop. Step 2 — the Administrative Hearing — uses an independent hearing officer and is where most successful contests happen.

The Three-Step LA Parking Dispute Process

California Vehicle Code § 40215 mandates a uniform process for all cities, including Los Angeles:

Step 1 — Initial Administrative Review - Deadline: 21 days from the citation date (or 14 days from a delinquent notice) - Cost: Free - How to file: Online at ladotparking.org, by mail to Parking Violations Bureau P.O. Box 30420 Los Angeles CA 90030, or by phone at (866) 561-9742 - What happens: LADOT reviews your written statement and evidence. Decision arrives by mail.

Step 2 — Administrative Hearing - Deadline: 21 days from the mailing date of the Step 1 denial - Cost: You must deposit the full fine amount (low-income waiver available under CVC § 40220) - What happens: An independent hearing officer reviews your case. In-person or written declaration. - Why this step matters: The hearing officer has full discretion to dismiss. Many drivers win here after losing Step 1.

Step 3 — Superior Court Appeal - Deadline: 30 days from the Administrative Hearing decision - Cost: $25 filing fee (refunded if you win) - What happens: A judge hears the case fresh (de novo). The agency's file is evidence but the judge decides independently.

Missing any deadline closes that door permanently. Set a calendar reminder the day you receive the citation.

The Best Defenses for LA Parking Tickets

These defenses work because they're grounded in specific CVC sections, not opinions.

Street Sweeping: Missing or Obscured Signs (CVC § 22507.6)

Street sweeping violations are LADOT's most common citation type. The law requires "adequate notice" via posted signs. Your defense:

• Missing signs: Signs are typically required at neighborhood entrances, not every block. But if the entrance sign was missing, moved, or completely obscured (by overgrown city trees, truck blocking, or fresh graffiti), document it with wide-angle photos showing the entire block.
• Sign maintenance logs: File a California Public Records Act (CPRA) request with LADOT or the Bureau of Street Services to obtain maintenance records showing whether the sign was recently reported missing or was replaced.
• Sweeper already passed: San Francisco allows parking once the sweeper has passed, even if the time block hasn't ended. LADOT does not have the same policy — but if you have a dashcam timestamp showing the sweeper passed before the citation time, it's worth raising.

Broken Meter: CVC § 22508.5

This is one of the strongest defenses available. Under CVC § 22508.5, you may park at a meter that cannot accept any form of payment for up to the posted time limit without penalty.

The catch: "inoperable" means the meter rejects all payment methods. If the coin slot is jammed but the card reader works — or if you can pay via the LA Express Park app — the meter is not legally broken.

To use this defense: 1. Record a continuous video showing the meter number, the coin rejection, and the card/app failure 2. Report the broken meter to LADOT at (877) 215-3958 and note your reference number 3. Include the reference number in your contest statement

Red Curb: Faded Paint (CVC § 21458)

CVC § 21458 defines red curbs as no-stopping zones. But if the paint is so faded it's not "clearly visible" to a reasonable person, the restriction may not be enforceable. Use Google Street View's historical feature to document the curb's condition in the months before your citation.

Note: as of January 1, 2025, California's new Daylighting Law (AB 413, CVC § 22500(n)) prohibits parking within 20 feet of a crosswalk — even on an unpainted curb. "There was no red paint" is no longer a defense if you were parked near a corner intersection.

Fire Hydrant: Distance Dispute (CVC § 22514)

CVC § 22514 prohibits parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant. If you believe you were more than 15 feet away, photograph a tape measure from the hydrant to your vehicle's nearest point. Measurement photos are strong objective evidence.

Residential Permit Zone: No Signs on the Block (CVC § 22507)

CVC § 22507 requires signs to be placed on the specific street or district where a permit restriction applies. If there are no signs on the block where you parked — only on adjacent streets — the restriction may not have been properly posted. Photograph the entire block showing the absence of signage.

How to Write a Winning Contest Statement

Most LADOT dispute letters fail because they read like complaints. A winning statement reads like a legal brief:

Good format:

"I am contesting citation #[Number] issued to [Plate] on [Date] on the ground that the citation alleges a violation of CVC § 22507.6 (street sweeping). However, as shown in Exhibit A (photo taken at 9:02 AM on [Date]), no street sweeping sign was posted at the entrance to [Street Name] at [Cross Street]. The sign was either missing or removed, failing to provide the 'adequate notice' required by CVC § 22507.6. I request dismissal."

Bad format (don't do this):

"I didn't see any sign. This is unfair. I was only there for ten minutes."

Attach your evidence labeled as exhibits. Keep the tone factual. The reviewer is not your ally, but they are bound by the legal standard — if you demonstrate a violation of the city's legal obligations, dismissal is warranted.

What Happens If You Lose at Step 1

Request the Administrative Hearing within 21 days of the denial letter's mailing date. Pay the fine deposit (or apply for the low-income waiver). At the hearing, present your evidence in person or submit a written declaration.

Hearing officers are typically contractors — not LADOT employees — which means they're more likely to rule on the merits than to reflexively side with the agency. If your evidence is solid and your legal argument is clear, the hearing is your best opportunity.

The California Parking Ticket Dispute Guide includes copy-paste contest letter templates, a hearing script, and a deadline tracker covering all three LADOT steps — so you don't miss a window or submit a weak argument at the critical moment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the LADOT Initial Review take? Typically 4–8 weeks. The citation is placed on hold while the review is pending, so no late fees accrue during that time.

Can I contest a ticket if I've already paid? No. Payment is treated as an admission of liability under CVC § 40204. Once you pay, you waive the right to contest.

What if I missed the 21-day window? If you receive a delinquency notice, you have 14 days from that notice to request a review. After both windows close, your options become very limited — you can try a good-cause extension argument, but LADOT has discretion to deny it.

Is it worth fighting a small ticket? Even a $73 street sweeping ticket can grow to $109+ with late fees. The Initial Review is free and takes 15 minutes to file. The cost-benefit analysis almost always favors contesting.