Fight a Philadelphia parking ticket on a stolen vehicle or tag
Your vehicle or its license plate/tag was stolen at the time the ticket was issued.
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], the vehicle bearing plate [PLATE] — or its license plate/tag — was stolen. The theft was reported to the [POLICE DEPARTMENT / CITY OR TOWNSHIP WHERE THE THEFT OCCURRED] on [DATE OF POLICE REPORT], before this ticket was issued on [TICKET DATE]. [IF RECOVERED: The vehicle/tag was recovered on [RECOVERY DATE].] [IF NOT YET RECOVERED: As of this Answer, the vehicle/tag has not yet been recovered.] Under Phila. Code §12-2807(4), and consistent with PPA's own published guidance that a vehicle owner is generally not responsible for violations occurring while the vehicle or tag was stolen, I ask that this violation be dismissed based on the theft documented in the attached police report. Attached: [a legible copy of the police stolen vehicle/tag report showing the date and time of the theft, and documentation of the vehicle/tag's recovery date if applicable]. 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.
- ✓A legible copy of the police stolen vehicle/tag report (the report number alone is not sufficient) showing the date and time of the theft
- ✓Documentation of the vehicle/tag's recovery date, if it was recovered by the time of your hearing
- ✓If not yet recovered, documentation showing that as well
what Philadelphia rules say
The rule this rests on.
Phila. Code § 12-2807 — Adjudications (default vacatur; notice-of-violation limitations)
Per PPA's FAQ: "Generally speaking, no [you are not responsible]... Please keep in mind that regardless of where you live or where the vehicle is registered, the stolen vehicle/tag report is issued by the city or township in which the theft occurred." Separately, Code §12-2807(4) limits a related ground — never having received a mailed notice of violation is NOT itself a valid defense unless the vehicle owner can prove a state DMV was notified of a change of address before the violation date.
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.
Is a full police report required, or is the report number enough?
A legible copy of the actual stolen vehicle/tag report is required — the report number alone is not sufficient per PPA's guidance.
Which police department should have filed the report?
The stolen vehicle/tag report must come from the city or township where the theft actually occurred, regardless of where you live or where the vehicle is registered.
I never received the ticket in the mail — is that a separate defense?
Not on its own. Code §12-2807(4) makes clear that never receiving a mailed notice of violation is not itself a valid defense, unless you can prove a state DMV was notified of your change of address before the violation date.
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