PARKING CITATIONS

To pay your parking citation(s), you may mail your citation(s) with your personal check or money order to the Finance Department, P. O. Box 1996, Salinas, CA 93902 or you may pay your citation(s) in person at the Finance Department in City Hall located at 200 Lincoln Avenue. Office hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

An Administrative Review Process is available if you would like to dispute your citation(s). The first step is to complete the Administrative Review Form. On this form, you should describe the circumstances surrounding the issuance of the citation and why you are seeking an administrative review of the violation(s) charged. Attach all relevant documents or other evidence, which may support your claim. You must request an administrative review within twenty-one (21) days of the date the citation was issued. The Administrative Review Form, including relevant documents, should be mailed to the Finance Department, City of Salinas, 200 Lincoln Avenue, Salinas, CA 93901. You will be notified by mail of the results of the Administrative Review.

If your Administrative Review is denied, you may request an Administrative Hearing. You must complete the Administrative Hearing Form and return it to the Finance Department, City of Salinas, 200 Lincoln Avenue, Salinas, CA 93901 within fifteen (15) days of the date the Administrative Review results were mailed to you. An Administrative Hearing will provide you with the opportunity to contest your citation(s) directly with the City through an Administrative Hearing Officer.

The Administrative Hearing can be handled by mail or you may appear in person before the Hearing Officer. If you wish to appear in person, you will be notified of the appearance date by return mail. You must attach to the Administrative Hearing Form, your original citation(s), a check for the amount of the penalty and a written explanation as to why you feel the citation(s) is unwarranted. You may "admit" to the citation(s) with an explanation of the circumstances when you received the citation(s) or you may "deny" the citation(s). If you "deny" the citation(s), you must submit factual evidence to support your position. You will receive the Hearing Officers decision by mail. If you prevail and the citation(s) is suspended, your penalty deposit will be refunded by the City. If you are found liable for the citation(s), your penalty will have been paid.

If you are found liable for the citation(s), you may request a review through the Court system. To request a Court review, you must file a request with the Monterey County Municipal Court within twenty (20) days of the date the Hearing Officers decision is mailed to you. The Court’s address is 3180 Del Monte Blvd, Marina, CA 93933. The Court review requires the payment of a twenty-five dollar ($25) filing fee. This is a "de novo" review. This means that the Court will review the citation(s) and either sustain it or suspend the citation(s) and the parking penalty and the twenty-five dollars ($25) will be refunded to you by the City. The Court will rely on the information contained in the Administrative Review and the Administrative Hearing. The Court will render a decision and notify you and the City.

Finally, there are no provisions in the Vehicle Code, nor is the City required to conduct the Administrative Review or Hearing Process if the mandated time limits are not followed.

Questions regarding the payment of parking citations or the Administrative Review Process may be directed to the Finance Department at 831-758-7211.