Finding that bright orange envelope under your windshield wiper is never a welcome sight. But parking citations are a fact of life, especially in busy cities like San Francisco. When you receive an SFMTA parking ticket, you have three options – pay it, contest it, or enroll in a payment plan. This guide will walk through the easiest ways to pay SFMTA parking citations so you can quickly put the incident behind you.
Online Payment
The fastest way to pay a parking ticket is through SFMTA’s website. Just visit www.sfmta.com and click on “Pay a Parking Ticket”. You’ll need your license plate number and ticket number to lookup the citation. The online payment form securely accepts credit/debit cards and charges no convenience fees.
Payments post instantly, helping you avoid late fees. You can also signup for email reminders about upcoming due dates for any unpaid tickets.
By Mail
If you prefer to pay offline, detach the payment stub from the bottom of your parking ticket and mail it with a check or money order Payments by mail must be received by the due date to avoid late penalties
Mail payments to
SFMTA
Citation Processing Center
PO Box 7200
San Francisco, CA 94120
Be sure to include the payment stub from your ticket, write your license plate number on the check, and allow 7-10 days for processing.
In-Person
You can pay parking tickets in-person at the SFMTA Customer Service Center located at 11 South Van Ness Avenue. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm. Cash, credit/debit cards, checks, and money orders are accepted for in-person payments.
Payment Plan
If you received multiple tickets and cannot pay the full amounts owed by the due dates, SFMTA offers payment plans. Payment plans allow you to spread out the balance over 3 or 6 months for a fee of $5-$25 depending on your total amount due. Enroll online through the SFMTA website.
Community Service
The Community Service Program allows you to perform volunteer work in exchange for ticket dismissal. You must pay an enrollment fee of $26-$77 based on your total ticket amount and complete 4-56 hours of service at approved nonprofits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions about paying for parking tickets in San Francisco? Here are answers to some commonly asked questions:
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What if I lost my ticket? You can lookup citations by license plate or ticket number on SFMTA’s website.
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What are the late fees? $76 late fee if payment is 1-21 days past due. $152 late fee if payment is 22-42 days late.
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Can I contest a ticket? Yes, you must submit a contest form before the due date. Contesting pauses late fees.
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How can I check for unpaid tickets? Use the online citation tracker. Vehicles with 5+ unpaid tickets may be booted or towed.
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What if my car was sold/stolen? File notice online and attach proof to transfer liability for tickets received after sale date.
Avoid Parking Tickets in the First Place
The easiest way to handle parking tickets is to avoid getting them in the first place! Here are some tips:
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Carefully check posted street signs for permit zones, sweep days, and time limits
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Use the SFMTA app to pay meters and confirm parking rules
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Only park in official, marked spaces and avoid blocking driveways or crosswalks
No one enjoys dealing with parking citations, but SFMTA offers convenient payment options to quickly resolve tickets online, by mail, or in person. Sign up for reminders to avoid late penalties!
