Parking Citations

GENERAL INFORMATION

A parking violation is the act of parking a motor vehicle in a restricted place or for parking in an unauthorized manner; such offenses are cited by a Police Officer or a Parking Technician in the form of a "Parking Citation".

Parking violations include but are not limited to the following: parking in a prohibited space such as a fire hydrant or driveway, parking at a meter without paying or for longer than the paid time. Parking without a permit in placed where a permit is required or parking at a location during scheduled street sweeping. In addition, it is an infraction to park on a public street with expired registration or a missing license plate(s) or license plate tabs.  This type of violation is referred to as a fix-it-ticket.

If you receive a parking citation, you can either pay the penalty or contest the citation. If you choose to contest the citation, you must submit a request for an “Administrative Review” within 21 days of issuance. If you do not submit a written request within 21 days of issuance, you lose your right to contest the citation. The Traffic Sergeant, or his/her designee, will review your request and make a decision to either dismiss or uphold the citation. You will receive a “Notice of Decision” advising you of the results of the Administrative Review. If the citation is dismissed, no further action is necessary. If the citation is upheld, you can pay the fines or, if you are not satisfied with the decision, you can request an Administrative Hearing.

If you wish to request an Administrative Hearing, you must submit a written request and pay all fees within 21 days of receiving your “Notice of Decision”. If found not liable, any amount paid will be refunded. If you are dissatisfied with the Administrative Hearing results, you can file for a Superior Court ruling.

FAILURE TO RESPOND TO YOUR CITATION

Failure to pay fines or to complete arrangements for an administrative review within 21 days of issuance will result in additional fees being charged and the inability to contest the citation. Further delay may result in notification to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to refuse registration of the vehicle until all fees are paid in full to the DMV and/or garnishment of Franchise Tax Refund.

PAY A CITATION

• Walk-In: You can pay at the Alameda Police Department during business hours (10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday - Thursday).
• Online: You may pay your citation by clicking this link: www.alamedaca.gov ; you will need your citation number and your Visa or Master Card. Free Internet access is available at the Alameda Free Library, 1550 Oak Street, Alameda.
• Mail: You can mail a check or money order with the citation or citation information to: The City of Alameda PO Box 11113 San Jose, CA 95103-1113.  Your canceled check will serve as your receipt. A service charge will be assessed for checks not honored by your bank.
• Phone:  (888) 442-4088
• After Hours Drop-Box: You can place a check or money order in the after-hours drop box located inside the Police Department’s main lobby (6:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Monday-Friday). Your canceled check will serve as your receipt. A service charge will be assessed for checks not honored by your bank.

CONTEST A CITATION

The City of Alameda follows the process as established by the State of California Vehicle Code Section 40215. If you have any questions about how to contest a parking citation or to check on the status of your Administrative Review, please call (510) 337-8411.

• Administrative Reviews are filed through the following website: www.pticket.com/alameda.  Follow the directions under contesting a citation.  
  Your request must be submitted within 21 days of issuance and must include your current home address. If you request an administrative review, payment is not necessary until a final decision has been made and a “Notice of Decision” has been received (the results of the Administrative Review will be mailed).

After the Traffic Division has reviewed your request, you will receive a “Notice of Decision” in the mail. If the citation is dismissed, no further action is needed. If the citation is upheld, all penalties are due in full. If you are dissatisfied with the Administrative Review results, you can request, within 21 days, an Administrative Hearing, see Administrative Hearing Information.

• Administrative Hearing (refer to this website www.pticket.com/alameda for instructions and use this form admin_review_.pdf  when submitting the request).  

California Vehicle Code Section 40215 requires payment of the citation amount prior to an Administrative Hearing. You must pay the full amount of the parking penalty or request to waive the penalty. If you are unable to post the penalty, please provide proof of your indigence. Payment may be made online prior to your hearing request or you may submit a check or money order by mail with your request for an Administrative Hearing.

You will be notified of the Hearing Officer’s determination soon afterward by mail. If the citation is dismissed, a refund will be mailed to you from the City of Alameda Finance Department. If the citation is upheld, all monies received will be applied toward your penalties. If you do not agree with the decision, you may request an appeal to the Alameda Superior Court, 1225 Fallon St, Oakland, CA 94612.

CORRECTABLE CITATIONS

Pursuant to California Vehicle Code Sections (VC) 40225 VC, 5204(C) VC (“tabs”), and 5200 (C) VC (no license plate), and 4000 CVC (registration) are known as fix-it-tickets. These are correctable citations and require both a signature by a police officer showing the violation was corrected and either a $10 compliance fee or the full penalty amount. If the violation is corrected within 30 days, the penalty amount will be reduced to a $10 compliance fee. If the violation is corrected after 30 days, the full penalty amount is due. The $10 compliance fee is a state mandated compliance fee for each citation that you receive. If you do not pay the appropriate fees, you will be responsible for late fees. All fix-it tickets require a signature by a police officer and payment of fees.