Fight a broken-meter parking ticket in Philadelphia
You were ticketed for a meter- or kiosk-related violation (e.g., failure to pay, overtime meter, invalid kiosk receipt), but the specific meter or pay-by-space kiosk you used was defective.
the statement
Copy, customize, submit.
To: City of Philadelphia — Bureau of Administrative Adjudication (BAA) Re: Ticket No. [TICKET NUMBER] Plate: [PLATE] ([STATE]) Date/Time: [DATE], [TIME] Location cited: [LOCATION] I am submitting this Answer under Phila. Code §12-2806, denying liability for this violation, and respectfully request that it be dismissed. On [DATE] at approximately [TIME], I attempted to pay for parking at [LOCATION] using the meter/kiosk serving that spot, but it was defective: [DESCRIBE — e.g., blank screen, rejected every payment method I tried, printed no receipt, displayed an error message]. I reported this to the Philadelphia Parking Authority's Parking Violations Branch (PVB) on [DATE OF COMPLAINT] by [phone / email to ppa@philapark.org], which PVB fields directly as one of its four specific claim types. Under Phila. Code §12-2807, and consistent with PPA's own published dispute ground allowing a direct claim for "a broken parking meter" through its Parking Violations Branch, I ask that this violation be dismissed based on the malfunctioning meter/kiosk at this location. Attached: [date- and time-stamped photo(s) of the broken meter/kiosk and any error message it displayed, a copy of my complaint to PPA, and any partial receipt or transaction record the malfunctioning meter/kiosk produced]. 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.
- 1Locate your parking ticket number and confirm the violation code, date, time, and location printed on it. Do not pay a ticket you intend to dispute — the Philadelphia Code and Charter treat payment as an admission of guilt and liability.
- 2If your claim is one of four specific types — a broken parking meter/kiosk, a valid kiosk payment receipt, a valid permit or disabled placard for that location, or a sign discrepancy — you can raise it directly with PPA's Parking Violations Branch (PVB) by phone (215-222-9100 option 1, or 888-591-3636), email (ppa@philapark.org), or mail (Parking Violations Branch, PO Box 41818, Philadelphia, PA 19101-1818).
- 3For any other basis for dispute, submit an "Answer" under Philadelphia Code §12-2806 denying liability and requesting a hearing — either a hearing by mail/electronic submission of written testimony and evidence, or (if eligible under the disability-parking provision) a telephone hearing — within 15 days of the date the ticket was served, to avoid late fees per Code §12-2804(4) and PPA's own guidance.
- 4Submit online at the City's online parking dispute portal, or by mail to the Bureau of Administrative Adjudication (48 N. 8th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107) with your written testimony and copies of your evidence (photos, receipts, police reports, etc.) attached.
- 5While your online or mail submission is pending, a "suspend" is placed on the ticket — no additional penalties, noticing, or collection activity occur until a Parking Hearing Examiner issues a decision, which typically takes 4–6 weeks for mail/online hearings.
- 6If you disagree with the Hearing Examiner's decision, you may appeal to a Parking Appeals Panel by serving a written notice of appeal on the Parking Authority within 30 days of the entry of the final determination (Code §12-2808(3)); the appeal is heard by a different hearing examiner and may be conducted in person if you request it in your notice.
- 7If you disagree with the Parking Appeals Panel's decision, your remaining option is a further appeal to the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas (a court filing fee applies, borne by the losing party per Code §12-2808(6)).
bring receipts
Attach this evidence.
- ✓Date- and time-stamped photos of the broken meter or kiosk and any error message it displayed
- ✓A complaint filed with PPA reporting the broken meter/kiosk (by phone at 215-222-9100 option 1, or 888-591-3636, or by email to ppa@philapark.org) to initiate PPA's investigation
- ✓Any partial receipt or transaction record the malfunctioning meter/kiosk produced
what Philadelphia rules say
The rule this rests on.
Phila. Code § 12-2807 — Adjudications (general hearing/evidence procedure)
PPA's Parking Violations Branch (PVB) — a distinct front-end channel from the Bureau of Administrative Adjudication (BAA) — specifically handles "a broken parking meter" as one of four claim types it will investigate directly, separate from the general BAA hearing process used for all other dispute grounds.
if this doesn’t work
Your next move.
If the Hearing Examiner finds you liable, you may appeal to a Parking Appeals Panel by serving a written notice of appeal on the Parking Authority within 30 days of the entry of the final determination (Phila. Code §12-2808(3)); the appeal is heard by a different hearing examiner and may be conducted in person if you request it in your notice. If the Parking Appeals Panel also rules against you, your remaining option is a further appeal to the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas — a court filing fee applies, borne by the losing party (Phila. Code §12-2808(6)).
questions people ask
FAQ.
Do I need to report the broken meter to PPA before disputing the ticket?
It strengthens the claim significantly. PPA's Parking Violations Branch investigates broken-meter claims directly — reach them at 215-222-9100 option 1, 888-591-3636, or ppa@philapark.org, and keep a record of when you reported it.
Can I raise this directly with PPA instead of filing a BAA Answer?
PPA's PVB fields "a broken parking meter" as one of four claim types it will investigate directly. If PVB doesn't resolve it in your favor, you still have the right to file a formal Answer and request a BAA hearing.
What if the kiosk gave no error message at all?
Photograph the blank or non-responsive screen anyway, note the time, and describe in your Answer exactly what you tried (which payment methods, how many attempts). A dead screen with no receipt output is still evidence of malfunction.
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