Contest a Parking Ticket in Portland
Got a ticket you don't think you deserve? A short, factual written appeal with evidence is the most effective way to contest it. Answer the questions below and your letter fills itself in as you type.
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[Your mailing address]
October 15, 2026
Multnomah County Circuit Court, Parking Citation Office
P.O. Box 78, Portland, OR 97207
Re: Request for review of parking citation [Citation (ticket) number] — license plate [License plate]
To whom it may concern:
I am writing to contest parking citation [Citation (ticket) number], issued on [Date of the ticket] at [Where the ticket was issued] to the vehicle with license plate [License plate]. I respectfully ask that the citation be dismissed.
Reason for contesting: [Main reason you're contesting].
[What happened]
I am submitting this written explanation before 5 p.m. on the 30th day after my citation, which is [Date of the ticket]. I ask the court to consider the facts and evidence below and dismiss the citation.
Please review this citation and dismiss it. I would appreciate written confirmation of your decision, sent to the address above.
Sincerely,
[Your full name]
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How to contest a parking ticket in Portland
Parking tickets written by the Portland Bureau of Transportation are decided by the Multnomah County Circuit Court, not the city. You have until 5 p.m. on the 30th day after the date on the citation to act, and you must choose one option: pay, contest in writing, or request a court hearing. After that, the ticket becomes delinquent.
To contest in writing, mail a separate explanation with your supporting documents in the yellow citation envelope to the court's Parking Citation Office at P.O. Box 78. Before you do, you can view the enforcement photos for your ticket on the city's citation photo site using your citation number, the citation date and your plate. Photos can take up to three days to appear.
A written explanation waives your right to a hearing and means you accept the court's judgment. If you want to appear, request a hearing online, by mail, or at the Multnomah County Central Courthouse, 1200 SW First Avenue. Delinquent tickets can lead to higher fines, collections, and a warrant for booting or towing your vehicle.
What to do, step by step
Check the deadline
In Portland you generally have 30 days from the ticket date to contest it. Missing it can add late penalties.
Gather your evidence
Photograph the signs, curb markings, meter or pay station, and where your car was parked. Keep receipts, permits and any repair or police records.
Write your appeal
Answer the questions above. Keep it short and factual — reviewers read a lot of these, and a calm, specific letter with evidence is the most persuasive.
Submit it on time
Submit online through Multnomah County Circuit Court, Parking Citation Office, or mail it to P.O. Box 78, Portland, OR 97207. Keep a copy and proof that you sent it.
Follow up
A written explanation waives your right to a court hearing and is consent to the judgment the court enters. If you would rather argue your case, request a court hearing instead before 5 p.m. on the 30th day after the citation date. After a judge enters a judgment, you can appeal legal errors by filing a Notice of Appeal with the Oregon Court of Appeals.
What if your appeal is denied?
A denial at the first review isn't the end. Most cities offer at least one more level — usually a hearing in person, by phone or by mail — where a different person looks at your evidence.
In Portland: A written explanation waives your right to a court hearing and is consent to the judgment the court enters. If you would rather argue your case, request a court hearing instead before 5 p.m. on the 30th day after the citation date. After a judge enters a judgment, you can appeal legal errors by filing a Notice of Appeal with the Oregon Court of Appeals.
Keep every notice and receipt. If you win at a later stage, any amount you paid is normally refunded.
Example Portland parking ticket appeal letter
A filled-in sample with made-up details, so you can see the finished result.
Alex Morgan
410 Grand Ave, Apt 2
September 28, 2026
Multnomah County Circuit Court, Parking Citation Office
P.O. Box 78, Portland, OR 97207
Re: Request for review of parking citation 4012345678 — license plate 7XYZ442
To whom it may concern:
I am writing to contest parking citation 4012345678, issued on September 20, 2026 at 300 block of Main St to the vehicle with license plate 7XYZ442. I respectfully ask that the citation be dismissed.
Reason for contesting: The signs were missing, unclear or blocked.
The only no-parking sign on the block was covered by overgrown tree branches. Photos I took a few minutes after finding the ticket show the sign could not be seen from where I parked.
I have included the following evidence in support of this request: Two dated photos of the covered sign and a map showing where my car was parked.
I am submitting this written explanation before 5 p.m. on the 30th day after my citation, which is October 20, 2026. I ask the court to consider the facts and evidence below and dismiss the citation.
Please review this citation and dismiss it. I would appreciate written confirmation of your decision, sent to the address above.
Sincerely,
Alex Morgan
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to contest a parking ticket in Portland?
You must act before 5 p.m. on the 30th day after the date on the citation. Choose only one option: pay, contest in writing, or request a court hearing. If you do nothing, the ticket becomes delinquent and can lead to higher fines and other penalties.
Who decides Portland parking ticket disputes?
The Multnomah County Circuit Court. The Portland Bureau of Transportation writes the tickets, but written explanations and hearing requests go to the court's Parking Citation Office at P.O. Box 78, Portland, OR 97207, or to the courthouse in person.
Should I contest in writing or request a hearing in Portland?
A written explanation is quicker and does not require you to appear, but it waives your right to a court hearing and you accept the judgment. If you want the chance to explain your case in person, request a hearing instead within the same 30 days.
Can I see photos of my Portland parking violation?
Yes. The city posts enforcement photos online, which you can find with your citation number, the citation date and your plate number. Photos can take up to three days to appear, and they are useful for checking what the officer recorded.
Is it worth contesting a parking ticket?
If you have a genuine reason and some evidence — a hidden sign, a broken meter, a valid permit or a ticket with wrong details — a written appeal costs little and succeeds often enough to be worth the few minutes it takes.
What evidence helps the most?
Clear, dated photos of the signs, curb and meter; payment receipts or permits; and anything showing the ticket's details are wrong, such as the wrong plate or vehicle make.
FairLetter is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Letters are templates you customize and send yourself.