Fight a Las Vegas parking ticket for a stolen or transferred vehicle
The vehicle was stolen or was displaying stolen license plates at the time of the citation, or ownership had already been transferred (sold, gifted, or traded in) before the citation but the transfer isn't reflected in DMV/City records.
the statement
Copy, customize, submit.
To: City of Las Vegas Parking Services Division Re: Notice of Infraction, Citation No. [CITATION NUMBER] Plate: [PLATE] ([STATE]) Date/Time: [DATE], [TIME] Location cited: [LOCATION] I am submitting this Level 1 appeal and respectfully request that this Notice of Infraction be dismissed. I was not the owner of this vehicle, or it was not in my control, at the time of this citation. [SELECT AND COMPLETE THE APPLICABLE SCENARIO: (a) I sold, gifted, or otherwise transferred the vehicle on [TRANSFER DATE], before this Notice of Infraction was issued on [CITATION DATE], as shown by a dated Bill of Sale/dealer trade-in documents and a completed Declaration of Non-Ownership form. / (b) This vehicle was stolen, or was displaying stolen license plates, at the time of the citation, as reported to police on [POLICE REPORT DATE], before this Notice of Infraction was issued.] Under LVMC 11.10.080(C)(11), the Parking Services Division or Hearing Officer may find no liability where there is an unclear transfer of ownership of a vehicle. [IF SCENARIO (b) APPLIES: Alternatively, under LVMC 11.10.080(C)(1), no liability may be found where the vehicle or its plates were stolen at the time of the alleged violation.] I ask that this Notice of Infraction be dismissed on that basis. Attached: [a dated Bill of Sale or dealer trade-in documents predating the citation and a completed Declaration of Non-Ownership form, OR a police report of the theft filed at or before the time of the citation, OR DMV title/registration transfer paperwork showing the new owner as of the citation date]. Respectfully, [YOUR NAME] [ADDRESS] [PHONE] [EMAIL]
This template is for informational use only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Square-bracketed placeholders must be replaced with your specific facts. Rules and deadlines can change; if your situation is urgent, complicated, or high-stakes, email info@imfrustrated.org for a free conversation with a volunteer attorney before you send it.
how to submit it
A few things before you send.
- 1Read the Notice of Infraction to confirm the citation number, license plate, the section of the LVMC allegedly violated, the date/time, and the location (LVMC 11.10.030(A) lists what must be on it).
- 2Before filing a formal appeal, call Parking Services at (702) 229-4700 to see if you qualify for an administrative fine reduction on one of four narrow grounds: Registration Not Displayed (vehicle was registered at the time), Handicap Violation (valid placard at the time), Overtime Meter (valid paid receipt covering the citation), or No Longer Own the Vehicle (dated Bill of Sale/dealer trade-in documents predating the citation, plus a Declaration of Non-Ownership form).
- 3To formally contest, file a Level 1 appeal: complete the "Appeal – Level 1 Request Form," check one of its listed grounds (Vehicle Breakdown, Medical Emergency, Did Not Receive Ticket on Vehicle, Sold Vehicle, Inadequate Signs or Curb Paint, Financial Hardship, or Other) or state your own grounds citing LVMC 11.10.080(C), and attach all supporting evidence (this is a non-appearance, documents-only review).
- 4Submit the Level 1 appeal by mail, fax (702-382-2309), email (parkingappeal@lasvegasnevada.gov), or in person to City of Las Vegas Parking Services, 350 S. City Pkwy, Las Vegas, NV 89106 — best done within 30 calendar days of the Notice of Infraction being served to avoid the "Late 1" penalty (LVMC 11.10.090(A)); the absolute outer deadline to file any appeal is 90 calendar days after service (LVMC 11.10.090(C)).
- 5Wait for the Level 1 decision from the Parking Services Division's administrative appeal review — you'll be notified by email and/or mail; if you don't hear back within about 3 weeks, contact the Parking Services Office.
- 6If the Level 1 decision finds liability and you disagree, request a Level 2 appeal within 30 days of that decision (LVMC 11.10.080(F)(3), 11.10.100(A)) — only evidence not already submitted at Level 1 is required. Bring the completed "Appeal – Level 2 Request Form" to the Parking Services office in person to schedule a hearing date/time.
- 7Appear (in person, or by an immediate family member, attorney, or authorized business representative) at the Level 2 hearing before the Hearing Officer. The decision is final and binding (LVMC 11.10.100(C)-(D)); failing to appear without first obtaining a continuance lets the Hearing Officer rule against you for the full amount.
- 8If found liable at either level, within 30 days of the decision either pay in full, sign up for an Installment Payment Plan, or (after a Level 1 decision only) escalate to a Level 2 appeal — via the AIMS Parking portal (https://lasvegas.aimsparking.com), phone, or mail. Missing that 30-day window can reverse any reduction, restart penalty accrual, and lead to DMV notice-of-nonpayment filing, collection agency referral, vehicle immobilization/towing, or a civil judgment (LVMC 11.10.080(F), 11.10.100(F)-(H)).
bring receipts
Attach this evidence.
- ✓Stolen vehicle/plates: a police report filed at or before the time of the citation
- ✓Sold/transferred vehicle: a complete, dated and signed Bill of Sale or dealer trade-in documents predating the citation, plus a completed Declaration of Non-Ownership form
- ✓DMV title/registration transfer paperwork showing the new owner as of the citation date
- ✓Any documentation resolving an "unclear transfer of ownership" if DMV records still show you as the registered owner
what Las Vegas rules say
The rule this rests on.
LVMC 11.10.080(C)(11) — Grounds for waiver: unclear transfer of ownership
Las Vegas treats stolen-vehicle and ownership-transfer scenarios as related but separately codified grounds under LVMC 11.10.080(C): stolen vehicle or stolen plates (C)(1), and "the existence of unclear transfer of ownership of a vehicle" (C)(11). The Level 1 appeal instructions separately describe a faster "Don't own the vehicle anymore" administrative-reduction path — a dated Bill of Sale or dealer trade-in documents predating the citation, plus a Declaration of Non-Ownership form, may resolve the ticket without a formal appeal.
if this doesn’t work
Your next move.
If the Level 1 decision finds you liable and you disagree, you may request a Level 2 appeal within 30 days of that decision (LVMC 11.10.080(F)(3), 11.10.100(A)) — only evidence not already submitted at Level 1 is required. Bring the completed "Appeal – Level 2 Request Form" to the Parking Services office at 350 S. City Pkwy to schedule an in-person hearing before a City-appointed Hearing Officer, an attorney licensed in Nevada. That hearing's decision is final and binding (LVMC 11.10.100(C)-(D)); failing to appear without first obtaining a continuance lets the Hearing Officer rule against you for the full amount.
questions people ask
FAQ.
I sold the car before the citation but DMV records still show me as owner — what do I file?
Submit a dated, signed Bill of Sale or dealer trade-in documents predating the citation, along with a completed Declaration of Non-Ownership form. Las Vegas also offers a faster administrative-reduction path for this exact scenario — call Parking Services first before filing a formal Level 1 appeal.
My vehicle was stolen — which ground applies?
Stolen vehicles or stolen plates are their own codified ground under LVMC 11.10.080(C)(1), separate from the ownership-transfer ground at (C)(11). File a police report as soon as possible and attach it, dated at or before the citation.
Is a formal appeal always required for a sold vehicle?
Not necessarily. The Level 1 appeal instructions describe a faster administrative-reduction path for "No Longer Own the Vehicle" cases — call Parking Services at (702) 229-4700 with your dated Bill of Sale/trade-in documents and Declaration of Non-Ownership before filing a formal appeal.
Nervous about sending it yourself?
we’ll read it over with you.
Email the situation and a volunteer attorney will respond. No commitment, no invoice, no judgment — just an honest second pair of eyes from someone who actually understands the law.
info@imfrustrated.org