Fight a Philadelphia parking ticket after a medical emergency
You (or a person in your direct, immediate care) had a medical emergency requiring urgent transport or life-saving care, which caused or prevented compliance with the parking regulation.
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], I was directly involved in a medical emergency involving [MYSELF / NAME OF PERSON IN MY DIRECT, IMMEDIATE CARE] requiring urgent transport / life-saving care: [DESCRIBE THE EMERGENCY]. This emergency directly caused/prevented my compliance with the parking regulation at [LOCATION] because [EXPLAIN]. Under Phila. Code §12-2807, and consistent with PPA's own published guidance recognizing a documented medical emergency involving urgent transport or life-saving care as a potentially valid excuse, I ask that this violation be dismissed based on the emergency described above. Attached: [ambulance run sheet or EMS/hospital records documenting the emergency and its timing, and any documentation showing I was directly involved in the emergency transport or life-saving care]. 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.
- ✓Ambulance run sheet or EMS/hospital records documenting the emergency and its timing
- ✓Any documentation showing you were directly involved in the emergency transport or life-saving care (not merely responding afterward)
what Philadelphia rules say
The rule this rests on.
Phila. Code § 12-2807 — Adjudications (general hearing/evidence procedure)
PPA's FAQ distinguishes strong from weak cases: a heart attack with ambulance/hospital documentation is "more likely to succeed"; a known pre-existing condition without reasonable precautions, or rushing to support a loved one without being "directly involved in emergency transport or life-saving care," is "unlikely to succeed."
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.
What makes a medical-emergency defense strong in Philadelphia?
PPA's FAQ gives a heart attack with ambulance and hospital documentation as an example "more likely to succeed." Documented, urgent transport or life-saving care is the key.
Does rushing to help a family member in an emergency qualify?
Only if you were directly involved in the emergency transport or life-saving care itself. PPA's FAQ states that merely rushing to support a loved one, without that direct involvement, is "unlikely to succeed."
What if I have a known pre-existing condition that caused the emergency?
PPA's FAQ notes that a known pre-existing condition, without evidence you took reasonable precautions, weakens this defense. Focus your documentation on the urgency and timing of the emergency itself.
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