Motorists who get parking tickets will have only 21 days to pay the ticket before an expensive late fee is imposed that could bring some tickets to more than $100, if the San Diego City Council follows a committee recommendation to increase late fees.
The City Council is expected to vote February or March on the recommendation by the Council’s Budget and Finance Committee which forwarded the recommendation Jan. 25.
There is already a late fee, but the proposed changes will increase some fees $40-$65. A second late fee of $10 will be added if the ticket isn’t paid by the 57th day.
The city auditor recommended a change to the standard 30 day wait before a late fee is accessed, and the deadline shortens the due day by nine days. The auditor’s report suggested the city modify its payment and appeal timeline to that of the state of California.
The California vehicle sections state that a parking ticket must be paid or contested within 21 days from the date of issuance or 14 days after the mailing of the notice of a parking violation, according to the auditor’s report.
Councilmember Marti Emerald made the motion to forward the changes to the City Council and Committee Chairman Todd Gloria seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. No one spoke against the idea and there were no public speakers for or against.
The committee also voted to send a delinquent ticket into collections on the 73rd day after it is written. This would go to the Department of Motor Vehicles to place a hold on vehicle registration.
Late fees will not apply for some parking tickets such as parking in a disabled spot without placard, apparently because these tickets are so expensive anyway. A disabled parking violation runs from $352.50 to $454.50.
In San Diego there are approximately 77 types of parking tickets. Shown below are some examples of parking tickets and proposed late fees.
Motorists who get parking tickets will have only 21 days to pay the ticket before an expensive late fee is imposed that could bring some tickets to more than $100, if the San Diego City Council follows a committee recommendation to increase late fees.
The City Council is expected to vote February or March on the recommendation by the Council’s Budget and Finance Committee which forwarded the recommendation Jan. 25.
There is already a late fee, but the proposed changes will increase some fees $40-$65. A second late fee of $10 will be added if the ticket isn’t paid by the 57th day.
The city auditor recommended a change to the standard 30 day wait before a late fee is accessed, and the deadline shortens the due day by nine days. The auditor’s report suggested the city modify its payment and appeal timeline to that of the state of California.
The California vehicle sections state that a parking ticket must be paid or contested within 21 days from the date of issuance or 14 days after the mailing of the notice of a parking violation, according to the auditor’s report.
Councilmember Marti Emerald made the motion to forward the changes to the City Council and Committee Chairman Todd Gloria seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. No one spoke against the idea and there were no public speakers for or against.
The committee also voted to send a delinquent ticket into collections on the 73rd day after it is written. This would go to the Department of Motor Vehicles to place a hold on vehicle registration.
Late fees will not apply for some parking tickets such as parking in a disabled spot without placard, apparently because these tickets are so expensive anyway. A disabled parking violation runs from $352.50 to $454.50.
In San Diego there are approximately 77 types of parking tickets. Shown below are some examples of parking tickets and proposed late fees.
| Current Fine | Late Fee | |
|---|---|---|
| Right wheel over 18 inches from curb | $59.50 | $47 |
| Not removing car for street sweeping | $52.50 | $40 |
| Unauthorized airport parking | $79.50 | $67 |
| Expired meter | $42.50 | $30 |
| Washing/polish car in business district | $52.50 | $40 |
| Selling/leasing car on street | $77.50 | $65 |
| Parked on posted private property | $72.50 | $60 |
| Bald tires | $52.50 | $40 |
| Alley parking | $59.50 | $47 |
| Defective/tinted windows | $52.50 | $40 |
| Expired registration | $52.50 | $40 |
| Parked near fire hydrant | $77.50 | $65 |
| Car not moved 1/10 mile in 72 hrs | $53.50 | $41 |
| Red zone parking | $52.50 | $40 |
| Selling merchandise from parked car | $53.50 | $41 |
| Violate residential permit | $52.50 | $40 |
| Double parking | $57.50 | $45 |
| 7 ½ feet from railroad track | $77.50 | $65 |
| Driveway parking into sidewalk | $57.50 | $45 |
| Wheel not cramped on hill | $59.50 | $47 |
| Parked in commercial loading zone | $57.50 | $45 |
| Parked in taxi zone | $52.50 | $40 |
| Repairing vehicle or storing it on street | $52.50 | $40 |
| Source: City of San Diego |
