San Francisco Parking Tickets, how to fight them?

Fighting parking tickets in San Francisco is cumbersome, but systematic. When you send a letter in for review, a Request For Review, it takes them weeks to respond back, due to the amount of volume they receive, so expect delays (without penalties). You are not charged a late fee for protesting, even if it takes months for them to review your protest. I have received over 50+ tickets and have won about two, although they extra extension to pay is nice too! According the The San Francisco Chronicle the city can make close to 100 million/year just in Parking Tickets.

Request For Review Musts

• You must send a letter of protest requesting a review withing 21 days of the date issuance of citation.
• Must include reason for request (meter malfunction, curb paint faded, missing or obscured sign, valid permit displayed or other explanation), your name, address, city, state, and zip code.
• The letter must be signed and dated by there individual challenging the citation
• Send in separate envelope, and make sure to make copies.

Address

Citation Review Center 11 South Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94103-1226 Further info: 415.701.3000

Things To Know

• WARNING: Five or more unpaid parking citations result in impoundment and or booting of your vehicle pursuant to CVC 22651(i).
• Vehicle Registration Renewal will with help by the DMV as a result of failure to pay parking penalties.
• A civil judgment may be filed with the Municipal Court if you owe $400 or more in unpaid parking penalties. A civil judgment can result in a levy against your assets, a lien against your property, or a garnishment of your wages.

If you decide not to fight, there are easy payment options :(

1. You may pay with MasterCard or Visa by Phone or via Internet
2. You may mail payment using envelope provided. Mail Check or Money Order Only ,and write your citation number(s) on check/money order(s).
3. Make checks payable to the Department of Parking & Traffic.
4. You may pay in person @ address above.

Hours

M-F 8am-5pm.