Appeal Process

If you were legally parked at the time a citation was issued, you are encouraged to submit an appeal. Successful appeals clearly demonstrate the citation was issued in error and often includes supporting documentation. 

In California, the appellant must prove that a parking citation was issued in error or should otherwise be dismissed. To prepare a successful appeal, you should determine that you have a solid case.

You have 21 calendar days from the date the citation is issued to submit a written appeal for a first level administrative review (CVC 40215 (a)).

Before you submit an appeal, ensure it includes receipts, documents and/or photographs that clearly demonstrate that you were legally parked.

When you appeal your citation, it will be placed on hold until a determination is made. You will be notified of the determination of your appeal within 7-10 business days.

When preparing your appeal, making the following claims for dismissal may cause your appeal to be denied:

• Didn’t know the parking rules and regulations
• Didn’t know a parking permit was required
• Thought my permit was valid
• Accidentally parked in the wrong space
• No place else to park; lot was full
• Parked for just a few minutes
• Just picking someone up
• Running late
• Didn’t see the signage/striping
• Someone else had my car
• Told it was okay to park there
• Left a note on my car; left the emergency lights flashing
• Nobody else got a citation

Appeal Online

Cited for Failure to Display Disabled Person Placard

When you submit your appeal, include a copy of your DMV Disabled Person placard receipt confirming that you are the placard owner and that the placard was active at the time the citation was issued.

Unable to Find a Handwritten Citation in Your Account

It can take up to one week before a handwritten citation appears in your account. With a handwritten citation, you have 21 calendar days from the date the citation is manually entered into the system by Transportation Services staff. We advise that you check your account at least once a week or contact Transportation Services.

Unable to Find Your Citation Appeal Online

You can view the details and status of your appeal by signing in to the Transportation Portal and selecting "View Your Appeals." The appeal and its current status will be displayed on this page. If you are unable to access this information, please contact Transportation Services.

If you are not satisfied with the disposition of your appeal, the next level is to request an administrative hearing through Transportation Services at [email protected]. This must be requested within 21 days after the determination has been mailed back to you. Both the completed Administrative Hearing Request and Explanation forms must be submitted within 5 business days of the 21-day deadline.

An administrative hearing can be done via mail or Zoom. Payment of the citation is required in order to move forward with the administrative hearing. If a citation is not paid by the 21-day deadline, it will become delinquent and no longer eligible to be further appealed. If the determination from the administrative hearing is in your favor, you will receive a full refund. If not, the citation is paid in full and closed. All administrative hearings are conducted and reviewed by a qualified hearing examiner, who is not an employee of SDSU.

If you want to request a second level of appeal and cannot pay the required citation amount, you must meet indigent status. Please email [email protected] to request the Payment Waiver of Penalty Application. The application must be submitted, along with the supporting evidence showing proof of indigent status, by the 21-day deadline. Should you be approved for indigent status for a hearing and you are found liable for the citation, you will have only 10 days from the mailing of your determination letter to request a payment plan.

The final level of appeal is resolved at the Superior Court. You must go to the Superior Court within 30 calendar days of the mailing date of the disposition from the hearing to initiate this process. There is a non-refundable fee of $25 for this step, payable to the County of San Diego.

You must inform Transportation Services via email at [email protected] should you be pursuing a Level 3 Appeal.