What a Los Angeles parking ticket actually is and what it costs
A Los Angeles parking ticket is a citation issued by the city for violating parking rules—expired meter, no-parking zone, disabled placard misuse, street cleaning violation, or blocking a driveway. It is not a criminal charge. The ticket comes with a fine amount, a citation number, and instructions for how to respond.
The fine varies by violation type. Expired meter violations typically run $63 to $73. No-parking zone violations are usually $73 to $93. Street cleaning violations are $65 to $75. Disabled placard misuse carries steeper fines, often $250 or more. These amounts change periodically, so the exact figure on your ticket is what you owe unless you contest it successfully.
If you ignore the ticket, the city can add penalties and collection costs. After 21 days without payment or a response, the fine increases. After 60 days, the city may report it to the California Department of Motor Vehicles, which can suspend your vehicle registration or driver's license. This is why responding—whether you pay, contest, or request a hearing—matters within the timeframe on your ticket.
Key Takeaways
- Los Angeles parking tickets have a response important date printed on the citation; ignoring it leads to registration suspension and added penalties.
- You can pay online through the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) website using your citation number, by mail, or in person at a payment location.
- You can contest the ticket by requesting a hearing, either in person or by mail, if you believe the citation was issued in error or the violation did not occur.
- Street cleaning tickets and meter violations are the most common; knowing the specific violation code on your ticket helps you understand the rule you allegedly broke.
- If your vehicle was towed or booted, you must resolve the parking ticket before the vehicle will be released.
How to pay a Los Angeles parking ticket online or by mail
The fastest way to pay is through the LADOT website at ladot.lacity.gov. You will need your citation number (printed on the ticket) and the amount due. The site accepts credit cards, debit cards, and electronic check payments. Payment is processed when ready, and you receive a confirmation number.
If you prefer not to pay online, you can mail a check or money order to the address listed on the back of your ticket. Include the citation number on the check and mail it to the LADOT Payment Processing Center. Payment by mail takes longer to process—typically 7 to 10 business days—so send it well before the important date to avoid late penalties.
You can also pay in person at LADOT payment locations throughout Los Angeles. These include the main office at 100 South Main Street, Downtown Los Angeles, and several satellite locations in different neighborhoods. Hours vary by location, so check the LADOT website for the office nearest you and its hours before you go.
How to contest a parking ticket through a hearing
If you believe the ticket was issued in error—the sign was obscured, you had a valid permit, the meter was broken, or the violation straightforward did not occur—you can request a hearing. You have 21 days from the ticket date to request one. Do this by mail, online through the LADOT website, or in person at an LADOT office.
When you request a hearing, include your citation number, a brief explanation of why you contest the ticket, and any supporting evidence: photographs of the parking sign, a copy of your disabled placard, proof of payment at the meter, or a photo showing the meter was broken. The more specific your evidence, the stronger your case.
A hearing officer will review your submission and the officer's notes from the citation. You may be offered a hearing in person or by mail. If you choose in-person, you can present your evidence and answer questions. If by mail, the officer decides based on written materials only. If the hearing officer agrees with you, the ticket is dismissed and you owe nothing. If they uphold the ticket, you can pay or appeal to the Los Angeles Municipal Court.
What happens if you miss the important date or ignore the ticket
The important date to respond—pay, contest, or request a hearing—is 21 days from the ticket date. If you do not respond by that date, the fine increases by 50 percent. For example, a $73 ticket becomes $109.50. The city also adds collection costs and administrative fees.
After 60 days without response, LADOT reports the unpaid ticket to the California Department of Motor Vehicles. The DMV can suspend your vehicle registration, meaning you cannot legally drive or renew your registration until the ticket is resolved. If you accumulate multiple unpaid parking tickets, your driver's license can also be suspended.
If your vehicle is booted (a wheel lock placed on it) or towed due to unpaid tickets, you must pay the ticket, the towing fee, and daily storage charges to get your vehicle back. These additional costs can exceed $500 quickly. Resolving the ticket within the initial 21-day window is far cheaper than dealing with suspension, towing, or collection action.
Street cleaning tickets and meter violations: the most common citations
Street cleaning violations account for a large share of Los Angeles parking tickets. These occur when you park on a street during its posted street cleaning hours—usually two hours on a specific day each week. The sign shows the day and time. If you park during that window, you receive a citation even if a street sweeper does not actually pass your car.
Meter violations happen when your paid time expires. Los Angeles uses both traditional coin meters and digital pay-by-phone systems (through apps like ParkMobile or the city's own system). If your meter time runs out, you are cited. Proof of payment through the app or a receipt from the meter can help you contest if the system malfunctioned or if you paid but the meter did not register it.
Both violations are straightforward to contest if you have evidence: a photo of the street cleaning sign showing the date and time, a receipt or app confirmation showing you paid the meter, or a photo of a broken meter. Keep these items if you dispute the ticket.
Towed or booted vehicles: resolving the parking ticket first
If your vehicle was towed or booted (a wheel lock applied), it is usually because you have multiple unpaid parking tickets or a ticket for a serious violation like blocking a fire hydrant or parking in a disabled space without a valid placard. You cannot retrieve your vehicle until the parking ticket is resolved.
To get your vehicle back, you must first pay or resolve the parking ticket through LADOT. Once that is done, contact the towing company or the LADOT Parking Violations Bureau to confirm the hold is lifted. Then you can retrieve your vehicle, though you will also owe towing and storage fees to the tow yard.
If your vehicle was booted, the boot company will remove it once LADOT confirms the ticket is paid. If it was towed, you need the tow yard's location and hours. LADOT can tell you where your vehicle is. Towing and storage fees vary but typically start at $150 to $200 and increase daily, so resolve the ticket as soon as possible.
Appealing a parking ticket decision to Los Angeles Municipal Court
If a hearing officer upholds the ticket and you still believe it was issued in error, you can appeal to the Los Angeles Municipal Court. You have 30 days from the hearing officer's decision to file an appeal. This requires filing a notice of appeal with the court and paying a filing fee (typically $100 to $200, depending on the fine amount).
A court hearing is more formal than an LADOT hearing. You may want to bring documentation and be prepared to explain your case clearly. The judge will review the evidence and the hearing officer's decision. If you win, the ticket is dismissed and you may recover the filing fee. If you lose, you owe the original fine plus court costs.
Court appeals are worth pursuing only if you have strong evidence the ticket was wrong—a photo of a broken meter, proof you had a valid permit, or documentation that the parking sign was missing or obscured. If the violation clearly occurred, paying the fine is usually the faster and less expensive option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay a parking ticket with a payment plan?
LADOT does not offer standard payment plans for parking tickets. You must pay the full amount or contest the ticket. However, if you have financial hardship, you can contact LADOT to discuss your situation; some flexibility may be available in rare cases. Call the Parking Violations Bureau at 1-888-LAPARK1 to ask about options.
What if I parked legally but still got a ticket?
Request a hearing and submit evidence: a photo of the parking sign showing you were legal, a receipt proving you paid the meter, or a copy of your valid disabled placard. Include the citation number and mail or submit it online to LADOT within 21 days. The hearing officer will review your evidence.
Does a parking ticket affect my driving record or insurance?
Parking tickets do not appear on your driving record and do not affect your car insurance rates. However, unpaid tickets can lead to registration suspension or license suspension, which are serious. Pay or contest the ticket to avoid those consequences.
How long does it take to get a refund if my ticket is dismissed?
If you already paid and the ticket is later dismissed, LADOT processes refunds within 30 to 60 days. You will receive a check by mail. If you paid online, you can also request a refund through the LADOT website using your citation number.
Can I look up old parking tickets I may have forgotten about?
Yes. Visit the LADOT website and use the citation lookup tool with your license plate number or citation number. This shows unpaid tickets and their current status. If you find old unpaid tickets, you can pay them online or request a hearing if you believe they were issued in error.