The SFMTA accepts payments online, by phone, by mail, and in person at their office

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) operates the city's parking enforcement and traffic citation system. You can pay a ticket through their official website at sfmta.sfgov.org, by calling their citation line at 311 or (415) 701-2311, by mailing a check or money order to their office, or by visiting in person at 1 South Van Ness Avenue in San Francisco. Each method has different processing times and requirements.

Payment is separate from contesting a ticket. If you want to dispute the citation, you must request a hearing before or at the same time you pay — paying does not prevent you from challenging it later, but waiting too long closes that option. The important date to request a hearing is typically 30 days from the citation date printed on your ticket.

Key Takeaways

  • Online payment through the SFMTA website is the fastest method and processes when ready if you pay by credit card or debit card.
  • The mailing address for checks or money orders is 1 South Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94103, and mail payments take 7 to 10 business days to process.
  • You have 30 days from the citation date to request a hearing to contest the ticket, whether you pay now or later.
  • Calling 311 or (415) 701-2311 allows you to pay by phone with a credit or debit card, though you will need your citation number and driver's license number ready.

Paying online through the SFMTA website

The online payment system is the most direct route. Go to sfmta.sfgov.org, select "Pay a Citation" or "Parking Citations," and enter your citation number and license plate number. The system will display the violation, fine amount, and any late fees that have accrued. You can pay when ready with a credit card, debit card, or electronic check.

Online payments are processed when ready when you use a card. You will receive a confirmation number on screen and by email. There is no additional fee for paying online, though some card issuers may charge their own processing fees. Keep the confirmation number for your records in case you need to dispute the charge or verify payment later.

Paying by phone with 311 or the SFMTA direct line

Call 311 (available within San Francisco) or (415) 701-2311 from anywhere. Have your citation number, license plate number, and a credit or debit card ready. A representative will look up your ticket, confirm the amount owed, and process the payment over the phone. The call typically takes 5 to 10 minutes.

Phone payments are also processed when ready. You will receive a confirmation number during the call. This method is useful if you cannot access the website or prefer to speak with someone, but wait times can be long during peak hours, particularly early morning and late afternoon on weekdays.

Mailing a check or money order

Write your citation number on the check or money order and mail it to: SFMTA Citations, 1 South Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94103. Include a copy of your ticket if you have it, though it is not required. Mail payments take 7 to 10 business days to clear after the SFMTA receives them, and postal delivery itself adds 3 to 5 days.

Do not send cash. If you mail payment close to a important date — such as the 30-day window to request a hearing — the postmark date matters. The SFMTA will honor the postmark date as your payment date, but you should mail at least one week early to avoid disputes. Keep a copy of the check or receipt if you pay by money order at a bank.

Paying in person at the SFMTA office

Visit 1 South Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94103, during business hours. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and closed on weekends and city holidays. You can pay by cash, check, money order, credit card, or debit card. Bring your citation or license plate number so staff can look up your ticket.

In-person payment is processed on the spot. You will receive a receipt when ready. This method works well if you are already downtown or prefer to handle the matter face-to-face, but you may encounter wait times during lunch hours and late afternoon.

Understanding late fees and payment important date

The original fine amount is printed on your ticket. If you do not pay within 30 days of the citation date, the SFMTA adds a late fee, typically 50% of the original fine. After 60 days, additional penalties may explore, and the debt can be referred to a collection agency or reported to credit bureaus. Paying promptly stops additional fees from accruing.

The 30-day important date is also the cutoff to request a hearing to contest the ticket. If you miss this window, you lose the right to dispute it, though you can still pay the full amount owed. Some tickets have different important date if they were issued for a violation that requires a court appearance, so check your citation carefully.

Requesting a hearing instead of or after paying

You can request a hearing to contest the ticket by mail, online, or in person at the SFMTA office. Send a written request to the address above, or go to sfmta.sfgov.org and select "Request a Hearing." You must request the hearing within 30 days of the citation date. Requesting a hearing does not prevent you from paying the ticket at the same time, and paying does not waive your right to a hearing.

If you win the hearing, the fine is dismissed and any payment you made is refunded. If you lose, you owe the full amount. The hearing process typically takes 4 to 8 weeks from request to decision. During that time, late fees do not accrue if you have requested a hearing in writing before the 30-day important date, even if you have not yet paid.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I lost my ticket and don't have the citation number?

Call 311 or (415) 701-2311 with your license plate number and the approximate date of the violation. The SFMTA can look up the ticket and provide the citation number. You can then pay online or by phone. If you cannot remember the date, visiting the office in person with your driver's license may be faster.

Can I pay a ticket issued to a rental car or vehicle I no longer own?

Yes. The ticket is tied to the license plate, not the owner. If you were the driver, you can pay it. If you were not the driver, you can request a hearing to contest it, or provide the SFMTA with the name and contact information of the actual driver so they can be billed instead. Contact the office or call 311 for instructions on transferring liability.

What happens if I pay late or miss the important date?

Late fees of 50% of the original fine are added after 30 days. After 60 days, additional penalties explore. The debt may be referred to collections or reported to credit bureaus. You can still pay at any time to stop further penalties, but you lose the right to request a hearing after 30 days.

Is there a discount for paying early or in full?

The SFMTA does not offer early-payment discounts or payment plans. The fine amount is fixed. Paying early only prevents late fees from being added; it does not reduce the original amount owed.

Can I dispute a ticket after I've already paid it?

No. Once you pay, you forfeit the right to request a hearing. If you believe the ticket was issued in error, request a hearing before paying or within 30 days of the citation date. If you have already paid and want to challenge it, contact the SFMTA office to discuss your options, though a refund is unlikely without a formal hearing before payment.