Parking Citation Appeals Process

How to Contest a Notice of Parking Violation

Section 40215 of the California Vehicle Code provides the procedure to contest a Notice of Parking Violation, also known as a Parking Citation.

The California Vehicle Code sets forth uniform procedures for contesting parking citations. These procedures include several time periods that must be carefully adhered to. In order to contest a citation, the Request for Administrative Review of Notice of Parking Violation Form (PDF) must be received by the Paso Robles Police Department within 21 days of the citation issuance, or within 14 days of the postmark of a delinquent citation notice you have received. All periods are expressed in calendar days.

Contesting a parking citation can now be completed online using the Parking Citation Portal at https://pasorobles.citationinfo.com/

Failure to Comply

Failure to comply with all stated time requirements will result in a waiver of your right to contest the citation. All correspondence will be sent to the address you provide on submitted forms. Any delays in your receiving these communications will not result in extensions of time periods, except as otherwise provided by law. It is your responsibility to provide a proper mailing address and zip code for personal notification of our findings. We will make no further attempts to contact you beyond the mailing of our findings. Summarized below are the steps required to contest a parking citation.

Step 1 - Administrative Review

The first step in contesting a parking citation is the Administrative Review. The purpose of this step is to screen out those citations where the motorist is clearly not liable for the citation. Contesting a parking citation can now be completed online using the Parking Citation Portal.

A request for administrative review can also be completed by mail. Complete the Request for Administrative Review of Notice of Parking Violation Form (PDF), and return to the Paso Robles Police Department, 900 Park Street, Paso Robles, CA 93446.

A designated Reviewing Officer will review the circumstances of your request and the citation. Be sure to include a copy (not the original) of the citation and all necessary information to support your request. (documents will not be returned). It is important that you provide an accurate mailing address and telephone information so we may contact you if additional information is needed.

After Submission

After submitting your request, you will be notified by mail or e-mail within 21 days of receiving your request. Please contact our office if you do not receive any mail correspondence within 21 days.

If the citation is dismissed, no further action is necessary on your part and the citation is closed. If the citation is upheld, you will be required to pay the penalty amount or you can request an Administrative Hearing, which is explained in Step 2.

Step 2 - Administrative Hearing

If the citation is upheld and you do not agree with the Administrative Review decision, the next required step is an Administrative Hearing. You must, within 21 days of the mailing of the results of the Administrative Review, request an Administrative Hearing. You will be required to post as bond the penalty amount before an Administrative Hearing can be scheduled. Complete a Request for Administrative Hearing of Notice of Parking Violation Form (PDF) on which you will indicate your choice of one of two options:

  • Hearing by mail
  • Hearing in person

This process is conducted by an impartial Civil Hearing Examiner who holds hearings at the Paso Robles Police Department. If you request a Hearing by Mail, you will not be required to appear. If you request a Hearing in Person, you will be required to appear.

Notification

We will notify you when the next available hearing is scheduled. Once the Hearing Examiner makes a decision, you will be notified by mail within 21 days of the hearing. If the violation is dismissed, you will receive a refund of the deposited penalty and the citation will be dismissed. The citation will not be dismissed until all fees are paid. If you disagree with the Hearing Examiner's decision, you can request an Appeal to the Civil Court.

Step 3 - Appeal to Civil Court

The third and final step is the Appeal to Civil Court, which is held before a magistrate at the San Luis Obispo County Superior Court in San Luis Obispo or Paso Robles, CA. You must, within thirty (30) days of the mailing of the results of the Administrative Hearing, make a request for appeal to the Civil Court. You can not appeal to the Civil Court until you have completed both an Administrative Review and an Administrative Hearing. You will be responsible for submitting court required documents, which can be obtained at either court, and paying a $25 court filing fee before a court date will be set. If the court dismisses the citation, City of Paso Robles will refund the citation penalty amount posted as bond prior to the Administrative Hearing.

It should be noted that civil appeal process is not a "re-trial" of the case, but merely a review by the court to determine if there is insufficient evidence of the violation or errors of law.

Questions

If you have further questions, please contact the Paso Robles Police Department at 805-227-7500.