How soon after issuance must I pay a parking citation?

A citation must be paid within 21 calendar days to avoid delinquent penalties.

How long do I have to appeal a parking citation?

You must request an appeal within 21 calendar days of the issuance date.

When paying by check, who should it be made out to?

Please make the check payable to City Treasurer.

I received a citation, but I do not own the vehicle. What should I do?

Visit the Sold Vehicle portion of the Citations website. For additional questions or concerns, call 866-470-1308 (toll-free).

Why is my parking citation not in the online payment system?

If you just received your citation, you will not be able to pay online until it is downloaded to the parking citation system. Most citations are issued using handheld electronic ticket-writing equipment and are downloaded on the same day. Handwritten citations can take several weeks to be entered into the parking citation system.

The due date is set once the citation is loaded into our system. This might be 21 days from the date of issuance or 14 days from the date on the Notice of Parking Violation, whichever is greater. We recommend checking the online system 1-2 times per week for your citation to ensure you can pay promptly.

If your citation is not in the system, you can still send your payment by mail or in person. Just make sure you include a copy of the original citation with your payment. Your payment will be processed upon receipt. Once the citation is entered or downloaded into the system, the payment will be automatically applied to the citation, and no further action will be required from you.

I am trying to pay my citation online, but it’s not working. Why?

The most common reason for a failed payment online is an incorrect billing ZIP/postal code. The billing zip/postal code entered must be the same as the one you have on file with the bank.

What are the hours of parking meter enforcement?

The majority of parking meters are enforced Monday through Saturday, from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m.; however, meters within the Hospitality Zone in Downtown or Hillcrest Commercial Zone in Hillcrest operate until 8 p.m. Always check the posted signs for enforcement hours.

What should I do if the meter I park at is broken?

The best thing to do is move to another meter and report the broken meter to Parking Meter Operations at (619) 744-1705. Be sure to note the number on the parking meter before you call. The parking meter number can be found on the street side of the meter housing or on the bottom of the display screen. An example of a meter number is 4-1615 (Fourth Avenue, 1600 Block).

What is the minimum credit card transaction on a meter?

The minimum credit card transaction on a meter is $1.25.

The sign says two-hour parking. Can’t I just keep paying the meter two hours at a time and stay as long as I want?

Parking meter rates, length of stay limits, and hours of operation are set to encourage turnover and maximize the use of the particular zone. Even if the meter is paid, you cannot stay beyond the posted limit.

What is ParkSmarter?

ParkSmarter is an application that allows you to pay for meter parking through a smartphone or internet-enabled device. The ParkSmarter app provides you with real-time notification alerts to add money to your meter before time expires or move your car immediately upon expiration. Add time/money to your meter from anywhere, anytime, without even returning to your car! For more information, please visit parksmarter.com.

How far in the red must I be to get a ticket?

No portion of the vehicle, including the bumper, may extend into the restricted area.

Can I park in a red zone if I am just loading or unloading passengers or cargo? I’ll be quick and turn on my flashers.

You may not stop, stand or park in a red zone at any time. Turning on your flashers does not allow parking in a restricted zone for any amount of time.

There is no red curb in front of this fire hydrant or bus zone. That means I can park there, right?

Parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant is prohibited. A red curb is not required in front of a fire hydrant or a bus zone.

When are commercial zones enforced?

Most commercial zones are enforced from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday unless otherwise posted. Please check for any posted signs, as there are some areas with variations, as they are considered mixed-use zones.

What about white zones? When are they enforced?

Unless otherwise posted a white curb indicates a passenger loading zone and they are enforced 24/7 including weekends and holidays. There must be active loading or unloading of passengers when stopping, standing or parking at a white curb.

I saw the Street Sweeper go down my street. I can park my car now, right?

Vehicles must not stop, stand, or park during the entire designated time period to ensure that street sweeping or maintenance can be completed. Sweepers may make multiple passes down one street. In addition, City staff will use the time posted for no parking to perform other maintenance as needed.

View Street Sweeping Schedules

When am I required to cramp my vehicle’s wheels?

Per the California Vehicle Code, all vehicles parked on a hill with a 3% grade or higher are required to cramp their wheels towards the curb on a downhill and away from the curb on an uphill.

What is the maximum length of time that I can park my vehicle on the street without moving it?

Vehicles cannot be parked or stored on a public street for extended periods of time. Storage of a vehicle is considered to be a vehicle in excess of 72 hours without being moved at least one-tenth of a mile. Vehicles stored longer than 72 hours are subject to being towed or cited.

Is it legal for residents to paint curbs?

It is illegal for residents to paint anything within the public right-of-way. City maintenance crews must do all curb painting. To request repainting of a faded curb, submit a Street Division Service Request. To request new curb painting, contact Traffic Engineering at 619-533-3126 or complete and submit the Traffic Request for Service Form.

Who do I call to have an abandoned vehicle removed from a City street?

To have an abandoned vehicle removed, contact the San Diego Police Department's Vehicle Abatement Unit at 858-495-7856.

How do I recover an impounded vehicle?

If you believe your vehicle may have been towed by the City of San Diego, first search AutoReturn online at www.autoreturn.com/san-diego-ca/find-vehicle/, email service-sd-ca@autoreturn.com or call 619-527-4392. AutoReturn searches for vehicles towed by the City of San Diego only; if unable to locate your vehicle through AutoReturn, call the Police Non-Emergency phone number at 619-531-2000.

What telephone number do I call to report illegal parking?

To report illegal parking in your neighborhood, call 619-531-2000.