How to Contest a Parking Ticket in Charlotte

On-street parking tickets in Charlotte are issued and reviewed by Park It, a Charlotte Department of Transportation program. Its appeal process, authorized by the City Council, has three levels: Administrative Review, Administrative Hearing, and an appeal to the Superior Court of Mecklenburg County. If you do not pay or appeal within 30 days, the city adds a $25 late fee to the ticket.

Park It says appeal requests must be completed electronically, through the online citation system linked from the city's parking page. You can reach Park It at 333 E. Trade Street, Suite A, or by phone at 704-432-7275, on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Park It does not accept not knowing the rules, running late, or lacking coins as grounds, so focus on signs, meters, permits and ticket errors.

If the Administrative Review does not go your way, you can request an Administrative Hearing, and then appeal to Superior Court if needed. If tickets go unpaid, the city may turn to a collection agency, credit bureau reporting, tax garnishment or small claims court, and vehicles with three or more overdue tickets can be booted.