California Vehicle Code Section 40215 allows for the ability to contest a parking citation, provided the citation was issued in error. It includes three progressive steps to contest a citation (each level must be completed prior to moving to the next step). The first level is the Initial Review, the second level is the Administrative Hearing, and the final level is the Appeal to the Superior Court.

*Important:  If any of these steps are not completed within the designated time period, you may be forfeiting your right to contest your citation.

Initial review: A request for an initial review must be received in writing within 21 calendar days of the date your citation was issued; requests not made in writing or within the 21 day period will not be accepted.  You may request a review (known as a "contest") online at http://www.pticket.com/lancaster for most citations, or you may obtain a Contest Form from the Finance counter inside City Hall during business hours.  When contesting a citation at this level, you do not need to pay the citation until the Initial Review has been completed and you have been found liable for the citation.

If you choose to fill out a hard-copy Contest Form, you may submit it in-person at City Hall or mail it to City of Lancaster, PO Box 3540, Tustin, CA 92781-3540. Contest Forms that are mailed must be postmarked within the 21 day period or they will not be accepted.

You must indicate the reason(s) you feel your citation was issued in error.  Include copies of any documentation to support your claim (do not include originals as documents will not be returned), a copy of the citation or reminder notice, your full name, and your current and complete mailing address.  Make sure to include everything that supports your claim - you will not have an opportunity to provide additional information once your contest has been submitted.

Commonly contested citations include those for failure to display handicapped placards or license plates, or for expired registration.  For handicapped parking violations, submit a copy of the placard and the placard registration card (that shows when/to whom it was issued) with your Contest Form to have the fine reduced.  For registration violations, provide proof of current registration with your Contest Form (if your registration was expired, it will need to be brought current with DMV before the citation can be reduced; if your registration tabs were stolen, provide proof of current registration and a copy of your police report; if you had a valid temporary operating permit displayed in your vehicle, provide a copy of that permit).

Once your Initial Review has been completed, the results will be mailed to you at the address provided with your contest.  If you are found not liable during the Initial Review process, any amount paid will be refunded.

Administrative Hearing: The amount of the citation must be paid in order to contest your citation at this level. In order to request an Administrative Hearing you MUST have completed the Initial Review process and been found liable for the citation.

A request for an Administrative Hearing must be made in writing and must be postmarked within 21 calendar days of the mailing of your Initial Review result.  If you have not yet paid your citation, you may mail your payment with your hearing request, or you may pay using one of the methods above.  (Please click here for information on how to request a fee waiver if you are unable to pay your citation before continuing with the appeals process.)

When submitting a hearing request, include a copy of your citation or Initial Review result letter, your full name, and your current and complete mailing address.  Also indicate whether your prefer your Administrative Hearing to be in-person (you will be required to appear before the hearing officer) or in-writing (written documentation to support your claim will be considered by the hearing officer in lieu of personal appearance).

Mail your hearing request to City of Lancaster, PO Box 3540, Tustin, CA 92781-3540.  Hearing requests cannot be made in-person or online.  Once your hearing request has been accepted, you will be contacted with an appointment for your hearing.

If the hearing officer at the Administrative Hearing determines that you are not liable for the citation, any amount paid will be refunded.

Civil Appeal: California Vehicle Code Section 40230(a) allows for the ability to file a Civil Appeal for a parking citation if you are dissatisfied with the results of your Administrative Hearing. You may not request a Civil Appeal unless you have received a Result of Administrative Hearing and have been found liable for the citation.

Civil Appeals must be filed at the Antelope Valley Superior Court within 30 calendar days of the mailing of your Administrative Hearing results.  You will be required to pay a filing fee to the court.  If your citation remains unpaid due to a previous request for a waiver of the penalty, you must pay your citation in full to the City prior to filing a Civil Appeal.

If during the Civil Appeal process the judge finds that you are not liable for the citation, any amount paid will be refunded (including the filing fee).
 
*Important: File your appeal with the Superior Court, not the Small Claims Court.