Fight a broken-meter parking ticket in Los Angeles
You were cited at a metered or pay-station space, but the specific meter/pay station serving that space was inoperable — it could not accept payment in ANY form (not merely coins-only or card-only). California law lets you park up to the posted time limit in that case, and bars a nonpayment citation. A meter that accepts one payment method but not another (e.g., cards work but coins don't) is NOT considered broken.
the statement
Copy, customize, submit.
To: City of Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) — Parking Violations Bureau Re: Citation No. [CITATION NUMBER] Plate: [PLATE] ([STATE]) Date/Time: [DATE], [TIME] Location cited: [LOCATION] I am requesting an Initial Review of this citation under California Vehicle Code §40215 and ask that it be canceled. On [DATE] at approximately [TIME], I parked at [LOCATION], a metered/pay-station space. The meter/pay station serving that space could not accept payment in any form: [DESCRIBE — e.g., blank/dark screen, rejected every payment method I tried, printed no receipt, displayed an error code]. I did not merely find one payment method unavailable — no payment method worked at that meter/pay station. Under California Vehicle Code §22508.5, a vehicle may be parked at a space controlled by an inoperable parking meter or pay station up to the posted time limit without being cited for nonpayment. I ask that this citation be canceled on that basis. Attached: [time-stamped photo(s) of the inoperable meter/pay station showing the error or blank screen, a note of exactly which payment methods I attempted and that all failed, and — if I paid by credit/debit card at that meter or a nearby one and was still cited — a statement showing the first 6 and last 4 digits of the card used]. 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.
- 1Note your citation number, license plate, and the violation code/date/time/location printed on the ticket, and act within the deadline: 21 calendar days from the date the citation was issued, or 14 calendar days from the mailing date of the first delinquent/overdue notice, whichever applies.
- 2Do not simply pay the citation if you intend to contest it — per California Vehicle Code §40204, paying the parking penalty without also requesting review closes the case and forfeits your right to contest.
- 3Request a free Initial Review from LADOT's Parking Violations Bureau by web (PVB Customer Service Portal), telephone, mail, or in person. No payment is required for this step. State your reason(s) for contesting and submit your evidence — LADOT's own Initial Review/RFI Checklist lists exactly what documentation is expected for common grounds (non-ownership, stolen vehicle/plate, broken meter, prior/duplicate payment, disabled vehicle, medical emergency, equipment already corrected, etc.).
- 4Wait for LADOT to mail its Initial Review decision. If the citation is canceled, you're done. If it's upheld as valid, the decision will explain why and how to request the next step.
- 5If dissatisfied with the Initial Review, request an Administrative Hearing within 21 calendar days of the mailing date of the Initial Review decision, using the Hearing Request Form (mail, phone, in person; online hearing requests are only available for the in-person option). State law (CVC §40215(b)) requires you to first deposit (pay) the full parking penalty before the hearing is scheduled, unless you qualify for and are granted a Pre-Payment (indigency) Waiver under HUD low-income guidelines.
- 6Choose an in-person hearing or a hearing by written declaration (by mail); for a written declaration, submit your written reason for contesting plus ALL supporting evidence, since you carry the burden of proving any defense you raise. An independent Hearing Examiner decides based on a preponderance of the evidence and mails a written decision; any refund owed is mailed roughly 30 days after the decision.
- 7If you disagree with the Hearing Examiner's final decision, you may appeal to the Los Angeles Superior Court within 30 calendar days of the decision being mailed (CVC §40230); the case is heard de novo and a court filing fee applies (refundable by the processing agency if you prevail).
bring receipts
Attach this evidence.
- ✓Photos of the meter/pay station showing it was inoperable or displaying an error at the time of citation
- ✓A note of exactly which payment methods you attempted and that all failed
- ✓If you paid by credit/debit card at that meter or a nearby one and were still cited, a credit card statement showing the first 6 and last 4 digits of the card used (per LADOT's Initial Review checklist)
- ✓Timestamp/location details tying your evidence to the cited space
what Los Angeles rules say
The rule this rests on.
CVC §22508.5 — Parking at an inoperable parking meter or pay station
LADOT's own "Tips to Avoid Parking Citations" page states this qualification directly: meters/paystations are NOT considered broken unless they cannot accept payment in any form; if one payment method still works, there is no defense. LADOT's Initial Review/RFI Checklist has a dedicated "METER" category for payment-issue or still-has-time disputes.
if this doesn’t work
Your next move.
If LADOT's Initial Review upholds the citation, you may request an Administrative Hearing within 21 calendar days of the mailing date of the Initial Review decision, using the Hearing Request Form. State law (CVC §40215(b)) requires you to deposit the full parking penalty before the hearing is scheduled, unless you qualify for a Pre-Payment (indigency) Waiver under HUD low-income guidelines. An independent Hearing Examiner decides based on a preponderance of the evidence and mails a written decision. If you disagree with that decision, you may appeal to the Los Angeles Superior Court within 30 calendar days of the decision being mailed (CVC §40230); the case is heard de novo and a court filing fee applies, refundable by the processing agency if you prevail.
questions people ask
FAQ.
Does it count if only one payment method at the meter was broken?
No. LADOT's own guidance is explicit that a meter or pay station is NOT considered broken unless it cannot accept payment in any form. If cards worked but coins didn't (or vice versa), this defense does not apply.
I paid by card at that meter and was still cited — what do I attach?
LADOT's Initial Review checklist asks for a credit card statement showing the first 6 and last 4 digits of the card used, so the reviewer can match your payment to the citation.
Where does LADOT list exactly what evidence it wants for a broken-meter dispute?
LADOT's Initial Review/RFI Checklist (PDF) has a dedicated "METER" category covering payment-issue and still-has-time disputes — match your evidence to that category before submitting.
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