Where to pay your San Francisco parking ticket
You can pay a San Francisco parking ticket through the Department of Parking and Traffic (DPT) online portal, by mail, in person, or by phone. The online option at sfgov.org/parkingtickets is the fastest route — you enter your citation number and pay by credit card or debit card. Payment typically posts within one business day.
If you prefer not to pay online, you can mail a check or money order to the address printed on your ticket, call the DPT at 311 (or 415-701-2311 from outside San Francisco), or visit the DPT office in person at 251 9th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and accepts cash, check, money order, and card payments.
Payment by phone requires your citation number and a credit or debit card. The phone line can have wait times during peak hours, so early morning or late afternoon often moves faster.
Key Takeaways
- The online portal at sfgov.org/parkingtickets is the fastest way to pay and requires only your citation number and a card.
- You can also pay by phone at 311 or 415-701-2311, by mail with a check or money order, or in person at 251 9th Street.
- Payment important date vary by ticket type, but most parking citations must be paid or contested within 21 days to avoid late fees and collection action.
- If you dispute the ticket, you must request a hearing before the important date; paying the ticket waives your right to contest it.
Payment important date and late fees
Most San Francisco parking citations must be paid or contested within 21 days of the ticket date. This important date is printed on the ticket itself. If you do not pay or request a hearing by that date, the city adds a late fee (typically 50% of the original fine) and may report the debt to a collection agency.
The original fine amount depends on the violation — parking in a red zone, expired meter, or street cleaning violation each carry different base amounts. You can see the specific fine for your citation on the ticket or by looking up your citation number on the DPT website.
If you miss the 21-day window, you can still pay, but the late fee applies. Paying late does not remove the collection record, though it stops further collection action. Some people choose to pay late rather than contest because contesting requires time and attendance at a hearing.
How to contest a ticket instead of paying
If you believe the ticket was issued in error — for example, the sign was missing, you had a valid permit, or the meter was broken — you can request a hearing instead of paying. You must submit your request within the same 21-day window. You can request a hearing online through the DPT website, by mail, or in person.
When you request a hearing, include a brief written explanation of why you dispute the ticket and any evidence you have — photos of the location, a copy of your permit, or a receipt showing you paid the meter. The hearing officer will review your evidence and the officer's notes. You do not have to attend in person; the city can decide based on written submissions.
If the hearing officer rules against you, you then owe the fine. If you do not request a hearing by the important date, you lose the right to contest and the debt moves to collection.
What happens if you do not pay
Unpaid parking tickets in San Francisco do not result in criminal charges, but they do have financial and practical consequences. After 21 days, the city adds a late fee and reports the debt to a collection agency. The collection record can affect your credit score and may appear on background checks.
If you owe multiple unpaid tickets, the city may place a boot (a wheel lock) on your vehicle or place a hold on your vehicle registration renewal. You cannot renew your registration until the tickets are paid. Some people discover this when they try to renew at the DMV.
If you move out of state or out of the country, the debt does not disappear. The city can pursue collection through the state's Franchise Tax Board or through national debt collection networks. Paying the ticket, even years later, removes the collection record and any associated holds.
Payment plans and financial hardship options
San Francisco does not offer formal payment plans for parking tickets through the DPT. However, if you cannot pay the full amount by the important date, you have two options: request a hearing to contest the ticket (which buys time), or contact the DPT directly to discuss your situation.
Some people in financial hardship have had success calling 311 and explaining their circumstances before the important date passes. While the city is not required to offer a payment plan, staff can sometimes provide information about other resources or clarify whether you might have grounds to contest the ticket.
If you cannot pay and do not contest, the late fee and collection process will proceed. The total amount owed grows, making it harder to resolve later.
Parking ticket payment by mail
To pay by mail, write a check or money order for the amount shown on your ticket and send it to the address printed on the citation. Include the ticket itself or a copy of it with your payment so the DPT can match the payment to your citation.
Mail payments take longer to process than online or phone payments — typically 7 to 10 business days from the time the DPT receives your envelope. If you are close to the 21-day important date, mail is risky because the postmark date, not the receipt date, determines whether you paid on time. Pay online or by phone if your important date is within a week.
Keep a copy of your check or money order receipt and the envelope you mailed. If there is a dispute later about whether you paid on time, you will have proof of the postmark date.
Paying a ticket for a rental car or company vehicle
If you received a ticket while driving a rental car or company vehicle, the ticket is typically issued to the vehicle owner, not the driver. The rental company or your employer will receive the notice. You should contact them when ready to let them know you received the ticket and offer to reimburse them for the fine.
If you do not contact them and they pay the ticket, they may pursue you for reimbursement. If they do not pay and the ticket goes to collection, it appears on their record, not yours, but you may still be liable depending on your rental agreement or employment contract.
For rental cars, check your rental agreement to see whether you are responsible for parking violations. Some rental companies charge an additional processing fee on top of the ticket fine if they have to handle payment on your behalf.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay a San Francisco parking ticket online without a citation number?
No, you need your citation number to pay online. The citation number is printed on the ticket itself, usually at the top. If you lost the ticket, call 311 or 415-701-2311 and provide your license plate number and the approximate date and location of the ticket; the DPT can look up your citation number.
What if I paid the ticket but still see it on my record?
Online and phone payments typically post within one business day, but mail payments take longer. Check your payment confirmation or receipt to confirm the payment went through. If you paid more than a week ago and it still does not show, call 311 with your confirmation number and citation number to verify the payment was received.
Can I get a ticket dismissed if I paid for parking?
If you have proof you paid for parking — a receipt, a photo of the meter showing paid time, or a permit — you can request a hearing and submit that evidence. The hearing officer will review whether the ticket should have been issued. You must request the hearing within 21 days of the ticket date.
Do I have to pay a parking ticket if I was not the driver?
The ticket is issued to the vehicle owner, not the driver. If you were not the owner, contact the owner and let them know. The owner is responsible for paying or contesting the ticket. If you were the driver and the owner asks you to pay, that is a matter between you and the owner.
What if I cannot find my parking ticket?
Call 311 or 415-701-2311 with your license plate number and the approximate date and location where you received the ticket. The DPT can look up your citation number and provide the fine amount. You can then pay online using that citation number without needing the physical ticket.