Parking Meter Ticket in California: How to Contest an Expired Meter Citation

A parking meter citation in California comes in two basic forms: you overstayed a paid session (the meter expired while you were gone), or the meter was broken and you couldn't pay. The first situation is hard to contest. The second has a specific legal remedy built directly into the California Vehicle Code. Knowing which situation you're in determines your next move.

When Your Meter Expired: What You Can and Can't Argue

If you parked at a functional meter, paid for a set amount of time, and the officer ticketed you after your session expired, the legal path is narrow. The meter worked, you used it, and you exceeded the posted time limit. That's a valid citation.

What sometimes happens, though, is that people misjudge how much time they're paying for, or the meter's display isn't clear. These aren't legal defenses on their own. What can work:

Receipt or app evidence: If you paid via ParkMobile, PayByPhone, or the LADOT/SFMTA app, your digital receipt includes a timestamped end time tied to your license plate. If the officer issued the citation before your session actually expired, that's a direct factual error — the citation time should be after your paid session ended. Submit the digital receipt as Exhibit A in your Initial Review.

Time discrepancy on the citation: If the citation time and your receipt time don't match and the receipt shows you were still within your paid window, that's a winning argument. Officers can make recording errors.

Zone rate confusion: Some California meter zones use dynamic pricing (like LADOT's LA Express Park system), where rates and time limits change by block and time of day. If you believe you paid for the correct time zone but were cited for a different rule, compare your payment record against the specific zone's posted limit.

The Broken Meter Defense: CVC § 22508.5

This is the strongest meter-related defense in California law, and most drivers don't know it exists.

Under CVC § 22508.5, if a parking meter cannot accept any form of payment, you may park at that meter for up to the posted time limit without penalty. The city cannot cite you for an expired meter on equipment it failed to maintain.

The legal standard is strict: The meter must be completely inoperable — unable to accept coins, credit card, or mobile payment. If one payment method fails but another works: - Coin slot jammed but card reader works → meter is NOT broken under CVC § 22508.5 - Card reader offline but ParkMobile works → meter is NOT broken - All payment methods fail → meter IS broken, and you're protected

This distinction is important and frequently misunderstood. Cities will often argue during Initial Review that you could have paid via app even if the physical meter was broken. If mobile payment was available for that zone, your defense weakens significantly.

How to Document a Broken Meter

Documentation is everything for this defense. Take these steps in real time when you discover a broken meter:

1. Record video immediately. Record a continuous video showing: - The meter number (usually posted on the meter head or the post) - Your attempt to insert a coin — show it getting stuck or rejected - Your attempt to use the card reader — show the error message - If applicable, show that no ParkMobile or app coverage exists for this zone (check the meter or signage for zone codes)

Continuous video is more credible than photos because it's harder to fake and shows the sequence of events.

2. Report the broken meter to the city. Every major California city has a reporting line: - LADOT (Los Angeles): (877) 215-3958 - SFMTA (San Francisco): 311 - San Diego: (619) 236-5525 - San Jose: (408) 535-3500

Note the date, time, meter number, and your call reference number. This creates an official record that the meter was reported broken before or around the time of your citation. Include this reference number in your contest statement.

3. Photograph the meter number and location. A clear photo of the meter number on the post ties your report and video to the specific meter on the citation.

Time Limit Still Applies

One important limit on CVC § 22508.5: the free parking only applies up to the posted time limit for that space. If the meter allows 2-hour parking and you stayed for 3 hours, you're still in violation for the extra hour — even if the meter was broken. The broken meter doesn't give you unlimited time; it gives you what the posted limit allows.

How to Contest a Parking Meter Ticket in California

Follow California's standard three-step process under CVC § 40215:

Step 1 — Initial Administrative Review (free, 21 days)

Submit your written contest within 21 days of the citation date. Your statement should: - Identify the citation number, plate, date, and meter number - Reference CVC § 22508.5 explicitly - Describe your payment attempts and their failure - Attach your video (as a link or timestamp reference), your city report reference number, and any meter photos

Example language:

"Citation #[Number] was issued for an expired meter at meter #[Number] on [Date]. However, the meter was inoperable at the time of parking — neither coins nor card were accepted — making this a CVC § 22508.5 situation. I parked within the posted 2-hour time limit. My vehicle left the space at [Time], within the authorized window. I reported the broken meter to [City] at [Time] (reference #[Number]). Attached: Exhibit A (video of payment failure), Exhibit B (report reference confirmation). I request dismissal."

Step 2 — Administrative Hearing (21 days from denial, fine deposit required)

If denied at Step 1, request a hearing. Bring your video on a phone or tablet, your report reference confirmation, and photos. The hearing officer has full authority to dismiss based on CVC § 22508.5.

Step 3 — Superior Court Appeal (30 days from hearing decision, $25 fee)

If the hearing goes against you despite strong evidence, appeal to Superior Court. A clear factual record — video, report reference, meter number — is exactly what de novo review courts respond to.

Meter Citations in California's Major Cities

Los Angeles: LADOT uses LA Express Park dynamic pricing in many zones. When contesting, confirm which zone you were in and what the posted time limit was. Contest at ladotparking.org.

San Francisco: SFMTA meters are a major revenue source — SF collects nearly $88 million annually from citations. SF also uses SFpark app integration. Contest at sfmta.com/citations.

San Diego: Uses ParkMobile and Flowbird app zones. Meter violations are the second-largest citation category after street sweeping, representing 22% of San Jose's annual citations (similar proportions in San Diego). Contest at sandiego.gov/parking.

San Jose: Uses pticket.com — portal at pticket.com/sanjose. Call (800) 294-8258.

Oakland: Contest at oaklandca.gov. Call (800) 500-6484.

The California Parking Ticket Dispute Guide includes a broken meter contest letter template citing CVC § 22508.5, the city-by-city reporting line directory, and a step-by-step hearing script for meter disputes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I paid via ParkMobile and still got a ticket? Your digital receipt is your strongest defense. ParkMobile receipts include the zone number, license plate, start time, and end time. If the citation was issued before your paid session ended, submit the receipt and request dismissal based on the time discrepancy.

The coin slot was jammed but the card reader worked — do I have a defense? No. Under CVC § 22508.5, the meter must be unable to accept any form of payment. A jammed coin slot with a working card reader does not constitute a broken meter. You were expected to use the card reader.

I paid cash and have no receipt — can I still contest? It's difficult without evidence. Your word against the citation is generally not enough to meet the preponderance of evidence standard. If you have any corroborating evidence — a bank statement ATM withdrawal nearby, photos of the meter at the time, a witness — include it. Future parking tip: always use app-based payment for the automatic timestamped receipt.

What is the fine for a parking meter ticket in California? Fines vary by city. In Los Angeles: $63–$88 depending on meter type and zone. In San Francisco: $76. In San Diego: $50–$70. In San Jose: $40–$50. Late fees can add 50–100% to unpaid fines.