Where to pay your Los Angeles parking ticket

You can pay a Los Angeles parking ticket through the Department of Transportation (LADOT) online system, by mail, in person, or by phone. The online portal at ladot.lacity.gov/pay-citation is the fastest route — you'll need your citation number and the amount due. Payment by phone goes through the same system: call 311 from within Los Angeles or (213) 485-2137 from outside the city, and a representative will process your payment over the phone.

If you prefer to pay in person, LADOT has payment locations throughout the city. The main office is at 221 North Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012, open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can also mail a check or money order to the address on your citation, though mail payment takes longer and you should send it at least two weeks before any important date to may support it arrives in time.

Credit cards, debit cards, and electronic checks are accepted online and by phone. If paying by mail, send a check or money order only — cash is not accepted through the mail.

Key Takeaways

  • The LADOT online payment portal at ladot.lacity.gov/pay-citation is the fastest way to pay, requiring only your citation number and the amount owed.
  • You can also pay by phone at 311 (in LA) or (213) 485-2137, in person at LADOT offices, or by mail with a check or money order.
  • Payment important date vary by citation type, but ignoring a parking ticket can result in late fees, vehicle registration holds, and collection action.
  • If you believe the ticket was issued in error, you can request a hearing through LADOT before paying, though this extends the timeline.

Understanding the payment important date on your citation

Your citation will show a specific due date by which payment must be received. For most parking violations in Los Angeles, you have 21 days from the date the ticket was issued to pay without penalty. This important date is printed on the front of your citation — check it carefully, as missing it triggers additional fees.

If you do not pay by the important date, LADOT adds a late penalty to your balance. The amount varies depending on the original violation, but late fees typically range from $25 to $50 or more. After 90 days of non-payment, the city may place a hold on your vehicle registration renewal, preventing you from renewing your tags until the ticket is resolved.

If your citation is more than 60 days overdue, the city may refer it to a collection agency. At that point, the debt can affect your credit report and you may face additional collection fees beyond the original ticket amount.

What happens if you dispute the ticket

If you believe the parking ticket was issued incorrectly, you can request a hearing before paying. Submit a written request to the address on your citation within 21 days of the issue date. Include your citation number, a brief explanation of why you dispute the ticket, and any supporting evidence — photos, witness statements, or documentation that the sign was missing or obscured, for example.

LADOT will schedule a hearing, usually conducted by mail or in person depending on the complexity of your case. During this time, your payment important date is paused. If the hearing officer rules in your favor, the citation is dismissed and you owe nothing. If the ruling goes against you, you'll receive notice of the decision and a new important date to pay.

Requesting a hearing does not erase the original important date — if you miss the 21-day window to request one, you lose the right to a hearing and must pay the ticket or face late fees and collection action.

Late fees and what they cost

Parking violation fines in Los Angeles range from $63 to $100 or more depending on the type of violation — parking in a red zone, expired meter, disabled zone without a permit, or blocking a driveway each carry different base amounts. Late fees are added on top of this base amount if payment is not received by the due date.

The late penalty structure works in stages. If you pay within 21 days, you pay only the base fine. After 21 days, a late fee is added. After 60 days, the debt may be referred to collections, at which point collection agency fees can add another $50 to $100 or more to your total balance. After 90 days, a registration hold is placed on your vehicle, which prevents you from renewing your tags until the ticket is paid in full.

The total cost of ignoring a single parking ticket can easily double or triple once late fees and collection costs accumulate. Paying promptly within the 21-day window is the least expensive option.

Payment methods and processing time

Online payment through the LADOT portal processes when ready once your payment is submitted. Your citation status updates within one business day, and you'll receive a confirmation email. This is the fastest method and leaves a clear record of payment.

Phone payments also process when ready, and you'll receive a confirmation number during the call. Keep this number for your records in case there's a question about whether payment was received.

In-person payments at LADOT offices are processed on the spot. You'll receive a receipt before you leave. Mail payments take 7 to 10 business days to process after LADOT receives them, which is why mailing a check should only be used if you have time before the important date.

If you pay online or by phone and your payment is rejected due to an incorrect citation number or amount, you'll be notified when ready so you can correct the information and resubmit.

What to do if you cannot pay the full amount

If you cannot pay the full citation amount by the important date, contact LADOT before the due date to discuss a payment plan. Call 311 or (213) 485-2137 and explain your situation. LADOT may be able to set up an installment arrangement that allows you to pay the ticket in multiple payments over time, which stops late fees from accruing as long as you stick to the agreed schedule.

Requesting a payment plan must happen before the important date passes. Once a ticket goes into collections or a registration hold is placed, your options become more limited and the total cost increases. Proactive communication with LADOT is far less expensive than waiting.

If you believe you have a hardship that prevents payment, explain this when you call. While LADOT cannot waive parking fines, they can sometimes work with you on timing and structure to make payment manageable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay a parking ticket without my citation number?

You can pay by phone or in person without your citation number — LADOT can look up the ticket using your license plate, vehicle identification number, or driver's license number. Online payment requires the citation number, which is printed on the ticket itself.

What if I paid the ticket but LADOT says I still owe?

Check your confirmation number or receipt to verify the payment went through. If you paid online or by phone, allow one business day for the system to update. If more than one business day has passed and the balance still shows, call 311 with your confirmation number and ask them to investigate the payment status.

Does paying a parking ticket affect my driving record or insurance?

Parking tickets do not appear on your driving record and do not affect your car insurance rates. They are civil violations, not moving violations. However, unpaid tickets can trigger a registration hold, which prevents you from renewing your tags.

Can I pay someone else's parking ticket?

Yes. You can pay another person's ticket online using their citation number, by phone, or in person. You do not need to be the registered vehicle owner to pay the fine. Bring the citation or the citation number if paying in person.

What if my car was towed and I have a parking ticket?

A parking ticket and a tow are separate issues. You must pay the parking ticket through LADOT using the methods described here. The tow fee and storage charges are handled separately through the tow yard. Contact LADOT or the LAPD to find out which yard has your vehicle.