Fight a parking ticket in Philadelphia
Facts on this page verified against Philadelphia's official sources on 2026-07-26— every source is linked in "Check our work" below.
You have 15 days from when the ticket is issued, then a second window of 10 days after the mailed notice. Decisions are made by Bureau of Administrative Adjudication (BAA), 48 N. 8th Street. 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 15 days from when the ticket is issued, then a second window of 10 days after the mailed notice. |
|---|---|
| Who decides | Bureau of Administrative Adjudication (BAA), 48 N. 8th Street |
| Appeals | Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas |
| Ways to dispute | online · by mail · by written statement — official dispute portal |
15 days from issuance; Notice of Violation grants 10 more days (+$30), then +$35 at delinquency. In-person hearings only for booted/towed. Default vacatable within 1 year (Phila. Code 12-2807(4)). Cameras: OAR within 30 days (Zoom or mail). Bus/trolley camera tickets are parking violations -> BAA.
Common violations in Philadelphia
| Violation | Fine |
|---|---|
| Over posted time limit · 12-1005 | $36 |
| Expired meter · 12-1006 | $36 |
| Parked in disability space · 12-1117 | $301 |
| Snow emergency route · 12-2502 | $51 (vehicles may also be towed during snow emergencies) |
| Blocking a driveway · 12-913-bd | $76 |
| Bus zone · 12-913-bz | $76 |
| Within 20 feet of corner · 12-913-cc | $76 |
| Parked on crosswalk · 12-913-cw | $76 |
| Double parked · 12-913-dp | $76 |
| Within 15 feet of fire hydrant · 12-913-fh | $76 |
| Parking prohibited · 12-913-pp | $51 (higher in designated Center City / University City districts under 12-2809) |
| Street cleaning · 12-913-sc | $51 (higher in designated Center City / University City districts under 12-2809) |
| Stopping prohibited · 12-913-sp | $76 |
| Parking on sidewalk · 12-913-sw | $76 |
| Loading zone · 12-914 | $51 |
| Expired or missing inspection · insp-102 | $41 |
This list covers the most common Philadelphia violations, not every code. Dismissal-rate data for Philadelphia is in progress — the Outcomes Index publishes rates only from real hearing records, never estimates.
What happens if you don't pay
+$30 then +$35; boot at 3+ unpaid ($150 boot, $175 tow, $25/day storage)
Camera tickets in Philadelphia
| Red-light cameras | Owner liable regardless of driver · no license points · 75 Pa.C.S. 3116 — Sunset 2027-07-15 unless renewed; ~37 intersections; adjudicated by OAR, not BAA |
|---|---|
| Speed cameras | Owner liable regardless of driver · no license points · 75 Pa.C.S. 3370 — Roosevelt Blvd, Broad St, Frankford Ave; school zones under 75 Pa.C.S. 3371 (enforcement from 2026-04); statutory defenses limited to not-driving/sold/stolen |
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 Philadelphia?
You have 15 days from when the ticket is issued, then a second window of 10 days after the mailed notice. The decision is made by Bureau of Administrative Adjudication (BAA), 48 N. 8th Street.
Can I dispute a Philadelphia parking ticket online?
Yes — Philadelphia accepts online disputes, plus mail.
What happens if I don't pay a parking ticket in Philadelphia?
+$30 then +$35; boot at 3+ unpaid ($150 boot, $175 tow, $25/day storage)
Can I appeal if I lose a Philadelphia ticket hearing?
Yes — appeals go to Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas.
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: