Fight a parking ticket in San Francisco
Facts on this page verified against San Francisco's official sources on 2026-07-26— every source is linked in "Check our work" below.
You have 21 days from when the ticket is issued, then a second window of 25 days after the mailed notice. Decisions are made by SFMTA (level-1 protest, then Administrative Hearing officer). Below: where to dispute, the most common violations with their fines, and how the camera programs work — every fact linked to its official source.
The essentials
| Deadline | You have 21 days from when the ticket is issued, then a second window of 25 days after the mailed notice. |
|---|---|
| Who decides | SFMTA (level-1 protest, then Administrative Hearing officer) |
| Appeals | SF Superior Court, de novo (CVC 40230), within 30 days |
| Ways to dispute | online · by mail · by written statement — official dispute portal |
Level-1 protest 21 days; level-2 hearing 25 days from denial letter (deposit = fine; CVC 40220 waiver within 120 days); SFPD handwritten tickets clock starts at system entry
What happens if you don't pay
Citation on hold during level-1 review (up to 90 days), no late fees while pending
Camera tickets in San Francisco
| Speed cameras | Owner liable regardless of driver · no license points · CA AB 645 (Speed Safety Camera) — 33 locations; warnings from 2025-03-20, citations from 2025-08-05; annual third-party calibration + monthly inspection (calibration sheets published); defenses: sold/stolen/rented, incorrect reading, signage visibility |
|---|
Camera notices are mailed and carry their own response deadline — use the date printed on your notice, not a general rule.
Common questions
How long do I have to dispute a parking ticket in San Francisco?
You have 21 days from when the ticket is issued, then a second window of 25 days after the mailed notice. The decision is made by SFMTA (level-1 protest, then Administrative Hearing officer).
Can I dispute a San Francisco parking ticket online?
Yes — San Francisco accepts online disputes, plus mail.
What happens if I don't pay a parking ticket in San Francisco?
Citation on hold during level-1 review (up to 90 days), no late fees while pending
Can I appeal if I lose a San Francisco ticket hearing?
Yes — appeals go to SF Superior Court, de novo (CVC 40230) within 30 days of the decision.
Start with the scan. It reads your exact ticket, checks it for defects, computes your deadline, and shows the odds for your specific violation — free.
TossMyTicket is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Self-help tools only. Outcomes are never guaranteed.
Check our work
Facts on this page come from official sources, verified 2026-07-26: