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1. How do I contest my citation?

You may contest your citation within 21 days from the date the citation was issued. You can do so on-line, by mail; or deliver your appeal to City Hall Annex. for more information on how to contest a parking citation, please visit our Contest a Citation page.

2. My car was sold. Why do I continue to receive parking citations when I no longer own the vehicle?

If you have been charged with a parking violation(s) and you did not own the vehicle on the date indicated on the citation, please follow the instructions below. 

If all of the information in the Release of Liability is completed and returned, verification will be obtained from the DMV, for California vehicles, to ensure that the registered owner has complied with CVC Section 5602 (i.e. submitted a valid Release of Liability to the DMV). If subsequent verification is received from the DMV, the registered owner listed on the notice will be relieved of liability.

The Release of Liability form to comply with Section 5602 can be found here or, alternatively, the Release of Liability information may be submitted online.

Please do one of the following options:

1. The vehicle was sold to someone else. You must provide evidence of a bona fide sale or transfer (a copy of the Bill of Sale or Release of Liability filed with the DMV which includes the name and address of the purchaser and the date of sale). CVC 40210
2. Not yet purchased by me. You must provide evidence of a bona fide sale or transfer (a copy of the Bill of Sale or Release of Liability filed with the DMV which includes the name and address of the seller and the date of sale). CVC 40210
3. Leased / Rented to someone else. Proof of a written lease or rental agreement, which includes the name, address, and driver’s license number of the person to whom the vehicle was leased or rented, must be submitted within 30 calendar days of the mailing date of your notice. CVC 40209
4. Described incorrectly. You must enclose a copy of the registration to prove this statement.

Sold vehicle information.

3. I received a notice that a citation was issued to my vehicle, but I have not visited the City of Santa Rosa. How do I clear the citation?

If you received a delinquent parking notice and your vehicle was not in Santa Rosa on the day the citation was issued, you must submit a copy of your current vehicle registration, notice of delinquent parking and a brief explanation to:
City of Santa Rosa
Parking Citations
P.O. Box 11113
San Jose, CA 95103-1113

It will be reviewed and then determined whether or not you are responsible for paying the citation. You will receive this decision in writing.

4. I wanted to contest my parking citation but was informed that it was too late. Can I appeal, and if so, who can I make an appeal to?

No. You cannot appeal your parking citation if it is past 21 days from the date it was issued, or 14 days from the date of your notice of delinquent parking. The time allowed to contest your parking citation is specified in the California Vehicle Code.
There are no exceptions unless one of the following conditions exist: your vehicle was stolen at the time the parking citation was issued or the owner of the vehicle is deceased. For more information, contact our office at 707-543-3325.

5. I cannot afford to pay my parking citation. Can you cancel it?

No. Parking citations cannot be cancelled due to financial hardship or inability to pay.

Additional penalties will be imposed if your ticket is not paid within the prescribed time, and a hold may be placed on the registration of your vehicle. In addition, your delinquent citation may be referred to an outside collection agency for collection proceedings against you.

The City of Santa Rosa does offer payment plans which allow qualified individuals to spread their repayment over several months.  More information is available on the City’s Payment Plan webpage.

6. Can I perform community service instead of paying for my parking ticket?

No. Parking citations are not criminal offenses. Therefore, community service cannot be performed in lieu of paying your citation.

If you are experiencing financial hardship, the City of Santa Rosa does offer payment plans which allow qualified individuals to spread their repayment over several months.  More information is available on the City’s Payment Plan webpage.

7. Can I get an extension on the payment of my parking citation?

No.  We do not offer payment extensions. 

The City of Santa Rosa does offer payment plans which allow qualified individuals to spread their repayment over several months.  More information is available on the City’s Payment Plan webpage. 

8. Can I request a payment plan for my citation(s)?

Yes you can.  There are two types of payment plans, the low income payment plan and the standard payment plan.  For more information on the two payment plans please refer the payment plan webpage.

9. Can I be arrested for my unpaid parking citation?

No. Parking citations are not criminal offenses in the State of California. However, significant late fees will be applied, and a Department of Motor Vehicles hold may be placed on your vehicle registration.

If a hold is placed on the registration, you will be unable to register your vehicle until all of your outstanding parking citations are paid in full. In addition, your delinquent unpaid parking citations may be referred to an outside collection agency for collection proceedings against you.

10. Can my vehicle be towed for my unpaid parking citation?

Yes. Your vehicle may be towed if you have five or more unpaid parking citations issued to your license plate.

11. I paid my citation late and was told that the penalty could not be waived. Can I appeal?

No. Citations must be paid within the prescribed time in the California Vehicle Code, which is 21 days from the issue date, or 14 days from the date of the delinquent parking notice. If you moved and did not receive your delinquent parking notice, and you failed to submit a change of address with the Department of Motor Vehicles within 10 days from the date you moved, you will still be held responsible for any additional late charges.

12. Where does the City of Santa Rosa obtain vehicle registered owner information?

Vehicle registration information is obtained from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). In accordance with the California Vehicle Code, you are required by law to provide the DMV with a current mailing address within ten days of a change of address.
If you moved and did not provide the DMV with your new mailing address within the prescribed time, you will be responsible for any late fees charged to your citation even if the delinquency notice or Initial Review Outcome letter is mailed to your old address.

13. I have paid my parking citation but when I went to renew my vehicle registration, I was told that my ticket was still unpaid. What can I do?

It can take several days or longer from the date you paid your ticket before the DMV records will reflect the payment. If you need to obtain your vehicle registration right away, please call 855-532-3275 for further guidance.

14. I have contested the citation and I do not agree with the decision. Is there anything I can do?

You can appeal the decision. You have 21 calendar days from the date of the decision letter to submit an appeal of the “valid” decision. You can request an appeal in person (before an Administrative Hearing Officer) or appeal in writing. Failure to pay the citation by the due date indicated on the decision leeter or to appeal within 21 calendar days of the date of the decision letter will result in an increased fine. Visit our Contest a Citation page for more information.

15. Do I have to pay the fine amount in order to appeal the valid decision?

Yes. The fine amount must be paid in order to proceed to the next level of appeals. For more information, contact the Parking Department at 855-532-3275.

16. What if I do not have the money to appeal the citation to the next level?

There is an application to waive the parking fee for those individuals of limited income who qualify pursuant to California Vehicle Code 40215(b). You may obtain the form at 90 Santa Rosa Ave, calling 855-532-3275, or visiting https://www.pticket.com/SANTAROS/contesting_info.html 

pTicket.