Unpaid Parking Ticket California: What Happens and What You Can Do

Parking tickets in California are civil infractions, not criminal matters. But that doesn't mean ignoring them has no consequences. California has one of the most aggressive parking ticket enforcement systems in the country — and unlike some states, it has teeth. An unpaid parking ticket in California can double in cost, block your vehicle registration, get your car booted or towed, and eventually land in collections affecting your credit.

Here's exactly what happens when you ignore a California parking ticket, at each stage of escalation.

Stage 1: The Delinquency Notice (21 Days)

From the moment a citation is issued, you have 21 days to pay or contest it. After that window, the agency sends a delinquency notice (sometimes called a "Notice of Delinquent Parking Violation").

Once delinquent, a late penalty is added. In most California cities, this means the fine approximately doubles. A $73 Los Angeles street sweeping ticket becomes roughly $146. A $62.50 San Diego street sweeping citation grows to around $100+. Some agencies also add a collection processing fee on top of the delinquency penalty.

If you receive a delinquency notice and want to contest the original ticket, your timeline changes. In Los Angeles, for example, you can still file an Initial Review within 14 days of the first delinquency notice — even if the original 21-day window has passed. Check your specific city's rules.

Stage 2: DMV Registration Hold (CVC § 4760)

This is the consequence that forces most people to act. Under California Vehicle Code § 4760, unpaid parking tickets result in a registration hold placed on your vehicle. You cannot renew your vehicle registration until every outstanding citation — including all late fees — is paid in full.

The hold applies to the specific license plate, not to you personally. If you buy a vehicle with outstanding tickets on its plates, those debts follow the registration. Dealerships run this check routinely before purchase; private party buyers often don't, and inherit the debt.

At DMV renewal time, the registration system will show a block and direct you back to the citing agency to clear the balance. No amount of negotiating with the DMV will lift it — you have to deal with the originating city or county agency directly.

Stage 3: Booting and Towing (CVC § 22651)

A vehicle can be booted (wheel lock applied) or towed if it has five or more unpaid parking citations under California Vehicle Code § 22651(i). Cities actively deploy license plate recognition (ALPR) technology to identify vehicles with outstanding tickets — San Francisco is installing 400 ALPR cameras specifically for this purpose.

Getting your car booted means paying the boot release fee (often $75-$150) plus all outstanding citation balances before the vehicle is released. If a booted vehicle isn't claimed within a set period, it can be towed and stored at the owner's expense.

The 72-hour rule also applies independently: CVC § 22651(k) allows cities to tow any vehicle parked in the same location for more than 72 hours, regardless of citation history.

Stage 4: Collections and Credit Impact

Unpaid citations eventually get referred to collection agencies or the California Franchise Tax Board (FTB) for debt collection. At this stage, additional collection fees are added, and the debt may appear on your credit report, affecting your score.

Out-of-state drivers are not immune. California participates in enforcement frameworks that allow collection agencies to pursue California parking debts across state lines. While a California parking ticket generally cannot result in out-of-state license suspension (unlike moving violations), the debt itself can be sent to collections.

Can California Parking Tickets Be Forgiven?

California cities occasionally run amnesty programs that allow drivers to pay reduced fines or have penalties waived on outstanding citations. These programs are not offered on a regular schedule — they typically happen when cities are trying to clear a backlog of delinquent accounts and increase revenue collection.

Los Angeles has run amnesty programs in the past offering reduced fines on older delinquent citations. San Francisco and other cities have done the same. The terms vary: some programs waive late fees only, others reduce the base fine, and some are available only to low-income residents.

There is no current statewide California parking ticket forgiveness program. If an amnesty program is available in your city, it will be announced on the city or agency website. Watch for announcements from LADOT (ladotparking.org), SFMTA (sfmta.com), and your city's parking enforcement page.

Hardship Payment Plans (CVC § 40220)

If you cannot pay outstanding citations in full, California law requires payment plans for individuals who qualify on income grounds. Under CVC § 40220:

• Plans are capped at $25 per month for balances under $500
• You must apply within 120 days of the original citation date
• Applications are submitted directly to the issuing agency

The payment plan does not waive the debt or remove the DMV hold immediately, but it can prevent further escalation to collections while you pay it down.

What to Do If You Have Outstanding Tickets

Step 1: Look up the balance. Use your city's citation portal (LADOT: ladotparking.org, SFMTA: sfmta.com, San Diego: sandiego.gov/parking/citations, Sacramento: SacPark.org) to find all citations associated with your plate and the current balance owed including penalties.

Step 2: Decide whether to contest or pay. Even delinquent tickets can sometimes be contested if you have strong evidence — particularly if the original citation was issued in error. Contact the agency to ask about your options.

Step 3: Check for amnesty programs. If the fine has ballooned through late fees, check whether your city has an active amnesty or penalty reduction program before paying the full delinquent amount.

Step 4: Apply for a payment plan if needed. If you can't pay in full, contact the agency within 120 days of the original citation to apply for a hardship plan under CVC § 40220.

Step 5: Pay to clear the DMV hold. Once you've paid or arranged a plan, get written confirmation from the agency and verify with the DMV that the registration hold has been lifted before attempting renewal.

If you're dealing with a current ticket — not yet delinquent — contesting it is always worth evaluating before the 21-day window closes. The California Parking Ticket Dispute Guide covers the full appeal process for every major California city, with violation-specific defenses and appeal letter templates.

Get the California Parking Ticket Dispute Guide