In accordance with California Vehicle Codes (CVC) 40215 and 40230, you have the following rights when contesting a parking citation.
If you receive a citation that you do not believe is legitimate or fair, you have the option to appeal to Parking and Transportation within 21 calendar days from the date the citation was issued. Prompt action is highly recommended so the problem may be resolved immediately. Note that repeated citations for the same violation are rarely dismissed.
Administrative Review (Level 1)
There are several ways to contest your citation:
- By 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. A written response to written appeals takes approximately 15 working days.
- By Telephone Citations may be contested by telephone only on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 9:00 am - 11:00 am, by calling (510) 642-5408.
- By E-mail You may e-mail your appeal to ucappeal@uclink.berkeley.edu; 24 hours a day. Correspondence must be e-mailed within 21 calendar days from the date of citation issuance. A written response to e-mail appeals takes approximately 15 working days.
Administrative Hearings (Level 2)
If your citation is upheld as valid, 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.