Parking Citations

Contesting UC Berkeley Parking Citations: Introduction

According to California Vehicle Codes (CVC) 40215 and 40230, you have the following rights when appealing a parking violation.

If you believe that you were cited in error or unfairly, you may contest to P&T within 21 calendar days from the date the citation was issued. You may contest the citation in writing or by telephone. If you are cited, it is important to correct the problem immediately. Multiple citations for the same violation are rarely dismissed.

With the passage of Assembly Bill 408 on July 1, 1993 parking citations were decriminalized making it possible for a UC designate to review University-issued parking citations. The University does NOT handle City of Berkeley or BART citations.

back to top

Administrative Review (Level 1)

There are several ways to contest your citation:

Mail
Citations may be contested in writing either by letter or by using a form available at the Parking & Transportation Customer Services office at 2150 Kittredge Street. Written correspondence or completed form may be dropped off or mailed to 2150 Kittredge Street within 21 calendar days from the date of citation issuance. Response to written appeals takes approximately 15 working days.

Telephone
Citations may be contested by telephone only on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:00 am - 11:00 am, by calling (510) 642-5408. (Wednesdays will be added effective April 1, 2008)

In Person
Citation appeals are heard in person at the Parking & Transportation Customer Services office at 2150 Kittredge Street only on Wednesdays, 10:00 am - 11:00 am & 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm. No appointment necessary. (Will be discontinued on March 31, 2008)

Email
Citations may be appealed by e-mailing ucappeal@uclink.berkeley.edu. Correspondence must be e-mailed within 21 calendar days from the date of citation issuance. Response to e-mail appeals takes approximately 15 working days.

back to top

Administrative Hearings (Level 2)

If your intial review is denied, you will automatically be sent the form to request a hearing with the Citation Hearing Examiner. A hearing can be scheduled by writing or in person. Written requests may be submitted to the Citation Hearing Examiner by letter or by using the form provided by the Citations Unit. Requests should be sent to:

Citations

Parking & Transportation

2150 Kittredge Street,

Berkeley, CA 94720-5740

In-person hearings are scheduled based on the availability of the Hearing Officer. Written confirmations will be sent to appellants confirming the date and time of their hearing. Failure to appear for a hearing will result in denial of the appeal. Hearings may be re-scheduled one time only.

PAYMENT FOR BAIL FINES MUST BE RECEIVED PRIOR TO SCHEDULING A WRITTEN OR IN-PERSON HEARING For further information, please call (510) 642-5408.

 

Judicial Appeals (Level 3)

If you are not satisfied with the Administrative Hearing (Level 2) decision, you may further appeal your case to a court of law within 30 calendar days from the mailing of the Level 2 Hearing Examiner’s results letter. The court charges $25.00 filing fee to process the appeal. If the court rules in your favor, the University of California at Berkeley, Parking & Transportation department will be required to refund your filing fee plus any parking penalties that the court may dismiss.

To file your Level 3 appeal, contact:

City of Berkeley –
Civil & Small Claims Court,
2120 Martin Luther King Jr. Way
Berkeley, CA 94704
(510) 647-4423

If a notice of appeal is not filed with the court within the 30 calendar day limit the decision rendered by the University of California at Berkeley, Parking & Transportation department shall become final.

back to top

Paying Citations

• If your appeal is not granted, you will have to pay the citation. Pay or contest a citation within 21 calendar days of issuance will avoid an additional $54.00 late fee, negative impact on obtaining/renewing your campus parking permit and DMV registration. There are three ways to pay a citation.

  • On-Line via e-parking
    • Citations will be available for online payment 24 hours after the date of issuance. You must have:
      • Citation number or Vehicle License plate
      • Valid credit card
      • Valid e-address
      • A working printer. You will be required to print a receipt at the end of the transaction
      • "Cookies" enabled on your browser (in the "Preference or Internet Options" menu)
  • By mail before the 21-day deadline. You may pay by mail to the address on the citation.
    • 2150 Kittredge, Berkeley 94720-5742.
      Mail Code for citation payment is different from customer service.
  • On the phone with P&T customer service during business hours
    • P&T Contact Information including mailing address and business hours

back to top