How to Contest a Parking Ticket in New York City
Parking tickets in New York City are handled by the Department of Finance, and disputes are decided by an administrative law judge at a Finance hearing. To avoid late penalties, you need to request a hearing within 30 days after the ticket was issued. Paying the ticket without a hearing counts as admitting the violation, so do not pay if you plan to dispute it.
You can request a hearing online through the Finance website, through the city's Pay or Dispute mobile app, or by mail to the Hearings By Mail Unit in Brooklyn. Do not send payments to that address. Clear photos of the signs, curb and meter, muni-meter or app receipts, permits, and anything showing that the ticket's details are wrong, such as the plate or vehicle make, are the most useful evidence.
The judge's decision is emailed to you after an online hearing, or mailed after a hearing by mail. If you are found guilty, you can appeal to the Department of Finance Appeals Board within 30 days of the decision. Penalties and interest can keep adding up while an appeal is pending, and unpaid tickets can lead to booting or towing, so you may want to pay first. If you pay and then win, the money is refunded.
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New York City: common questions
How long do I have to dispute a parking ticket in New York City?
You should request a hearing within 30 days after the ticket was issued. You can still request a hearing after that, but if a judge finds you guilty you will have to pay late penalties. About 100 days after issue, an unanswered ticket goes into judgment.
Can I dispute a New York City ticket by mail?
Yes. You can send a written statement and copies of your evidence to the Department of Finance Hearings By Mail Unit, P.O. Box 29021, Cadman Plaza Station, Brooklyn, NY 11202-9021. Keep your originals and proof of mailing, and do not include a payment with your dispute.
Should I pay the ticket before I dispute it?
No. Paying a New York City parking ticket without a hearing is treated as a guilty plea, and you lose the chance to dispute or appeal it. Request the hearing first and pay only if the judge finds you guilty and you decide not to appeal.
What happens if the judge rules against me?
You can file an appeal with the Department of Finance within 30 days of the hearing decision, and its Appeals Board decides it. Penalties and interest may continue while the appeal is pending, so some drivers pay first and get a refund if the appeal succeeds.
Compare nearby cities
| City | Agency | Deadline | Online |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York City | New York City Department of Finance | 30 days | Yes |
| Austin | Austin Municipal Court | See ticket | Yes |
| Boston | City of Boston Office of the Parking Clerk | 21 days | Yes |
| Charlotte | City of Charlotte Park It Program | See ticket | Yes |
| Chicago | City of Chicago Department of Finance | See ticket | Yes |
| Columbus | City of Columbus Division of Mobility & Parking Services | See ticket | Yes |
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