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Philadelphia parking defense

Fight a Philadelphia parking ticket after the registered owner's death

The registered owner of the vehicle died, and the ticket concerns a parking violation that occurred before their death.

Jump to statementHow to submitEvidenceLegal basisIf this doesn’t workFAQ

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, on behalf of the registered owner, and respectfully request that this violation be dismissed.

The registered owner of this vehicle, [REGISTERED OWNER'S NAME], died on [DATE OF DEATH], which was before this ticket's violation date of [DATE]. I am submitting this Answer and letter of request as [YOUR RELATIONSHIP TO THE REGISTRANT]. [IF APPLICABLE: There is no surviving co-owner of this vehicle.]

Under Phila. Code §12-2807, and consistent with PPA's own published guidance that a ticket for a violation occurring before the owner's death may be disputed on the late owner's behalf when a death certificate is submitted with a letter of request, I ask that this violation be dismissed.

Attached: [a copy of the death certificate, submitted along with this letter of request].

Respectfully,
[YOUR NAME]
[RELATIONSHIP TO REGISTRANT]
[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.

  • ✓A copy of the death certificate, submitted along with a written letter of request to the Bureau of Administrative Adjudication

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.

Does an outstanding ticket get dismissed automatically when the registrant dies?

No. Per PPA's FAQ, nothing happens automatically — someone acting on the late owner's behalf must affirmatively submit a letter of request, ideally with a copy of the death certificate.

What if there's a surviving co-owner of the vehicle?

This defense will not succeed. PPA's FAQ states outstanding tickets will not be dismissed on these grounds if there is a surviving co-owner of the vehicle.

Who can submit this request?

PPA's guidance doesn't limit this to a specific title, but expects someone acting on the deceased owner's behalf — such as an executor, surviving spouse, or next of kin — to submit the letter and death certificate.

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
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