How to Pay a Parking Ticket from the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA)

If you receive a parking ticket in San Francisco, you’ll need to pay or contest it through the city’s transportation agency, SFMTA. Read on for a step-by-step guide to paying SFMTA parking tickets quickly and easily.

Overview of SFMTA Parking Tickets

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) oversees parking enforcement and ticketing in San Francisco SFMTA parking control officers (PCOs) issue citations for violations like

  • Expired meters
  • Street cleaning
  • Parking in taxi stands
  • Blocked driveways
  • Parking in disabled zones without a placard

Tickets can range from $35 to over $100 depending on the violation. If left unpaid, late fees accrue and the citation is sent to collections.

Checking Your SFMTA Parking Ticket

After receiving a parking ticket in San Francisco, you should locate it and record the citation number. This number allows you to check the status online.

Go to www.sfmta.com/pay-parking-ticket and enter the citation number and license plate. This will pull up details like the fine amount, issue date, and due date.

You can also contest a ticket using this lookup tool. The deadline to contest is 21 days after issuance.

Paying Your SFMTA Parking Ticket Online

Paying your SFMTA parking ticket online is the fastest way to avoid late fees. Online payments post same-day.

To pay online, go to https://wmq.etimspayments.com/pbw/include/sanfrancisco/input.jsp. You’ll need to enter the citation number, license plate, and issue date again.

Select your payment method. You can pay by Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, or electronic check. Enter your payment info and submit.

Print or save the receipt that appears after paying. Your ticket is now closed out and your vehicle registration won’t be impacted.

Paying Your SFMTA Parking Ticket by Mail

To pay your parking ticket by mail, use the pre-printed envelope that came with your citation. Include a check or money order payable to “SFMTA” and write the citation number in the memo line.

If you don’t have the envelope, mail payment to:

SFMTA Customer Service Center
11 South Van Ness Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94103

Allow 5-7 days for mailed payments to process. Late fees apply 21 days after ticket issuance, so mail immediately to avoid additional charges.

Paying Your SFMTA Parking Ticket by Phone

You can pay SFMTA parking tickets by phone using a credit/debit card. Call 415-701-3000 or 800-531-7357 and select the payment option.

Provide the citation number, card details, and other required information. Save the confirmation number for your records. Phone payments post same-day like online payments.

Paying in Person at SFMTA

To pay your parking ticket in person, visit the SFMTA Customer Service Center at 11 South Van Ness Avenue in San Francisco. The office is open Monday-Friday from 8am-5pm, excluding holidays.

Bring your ticket or citation number. You can pay using credit/debit cards, cash, or check. Get a receipt as proof of payment.

In-person payments immediately close out tickets, so this is a smart option if your registration hold needs to be released quickly.

Setting Up a Payment Plan

If you need help paying off your parking ticket, SFMTA offers payment plans. You’ll need to pay 50% upfront and the balance within 6 months. Email [email protected] or visit the customer service center to set up a plan.

Payment plans can only be established for active citations. Tickets must not already be delinquent or in collections.

Avoiding Registration Holds and Late Fees

To avoid having a hold placed on your DMV registration and vehicle renewal, pay your SFMTA parking ticket within 21 days. Late fees start accruing after this 3 week deadline.

If you contest your ticket and lose the dispute, you’ll need to pay immediately before late penalties apply. Regularly check citation statuses online to stay on top of due dates.

By promptly paying your SFMTA parking ticket through the available online, phone, mail, or in-person options, you can avoid headaches from collections agencies down the road. Don’t let a simple parking fine turn into a serious financial burden.

sfmta parking ticket payment

$89 SFMTA Parking Ticket Paid in 7500 Pennies and 56 Quarters

FAQ

What happens if you don’t pay SFMTA parking ticket?

If you receive a parking or transit citation you must pay or protest the citation by the due date, or you will be subject to late fees and collections fees. Vehicles with five or more parking citations will be subject to booting and/or towing.

How to get out of SFMTA parking ticket?

How to fight a San Francisco parking ticket. Once you receive a parking ticket in San Francisco, you have three weeks to dispute it. The first step is to request an SFMTA administrative review; cited motorists can submit any photos, receipts or other evidence they have to bolster their claim online or through the mail.

How to pay parking tickets sf?

Phone: Call 415.701.3099 or 800.531.7357. Mail: Using the pre-printed envelope provided, send check or money order payable to “SFMTA” (include citation number on check). If you do not have the pre-printed envelope, mail payment to SFMTA Customer Service Center, 11 South Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94103.

What happens if you don’t pay a parking ticket in California?

Parking tickets are not criminal offenses in the State of California and you will not be arrested for your unpaid parking ticket. However, there is an additional $27 fine for tickets that are not paid on time and you may be subject to a $3 DMV fee if a hold is placed on the registration of your vehicle.

How much does SFMTA charge for parking citations?

Customers must pay an enrollment fee ranging from $26-$77 depending on the total dollar amount of citations enrolled. This is not an option if your vehicle has been booted or towed. SFMTA’s Payment Plan provides customers an option to enroll parking citation and transit violations in a monthly payment plan.

Does SFMTA have a payment plan?

SFMTA’s Payment Plan provides customers the option to enroll parking and transit citations in a monthly payment plan. Customers who enroll must make minimum monthly payments based on the total amount enrolled. Look up citation information online. Citations associated with failed payment plans cannot be re-enrolled.

How do I pay a SFMTA citation?

Web: For same day payment posting and electronic receipt Pay Online Phone: Call 415.701.3099 or 800.531.7357. Mail: Using the pre-printed envelope provided, send check or money order payable to “SFMTA” (include citation number on check).

How much does SFMTA cost?

Customers must pay an enrollment fee ranging from $5-$25. This is not an option if your vehicle has been booted or towed. SFMTA offers a variety of discounts for Individuals Experiencing Homelessness in San Francisco. Pay a Parking Ticket or Transit Citation Look up citation information and make a payment online.

How does a fake SFMTA parking ticket work?

A fake SFMTA parking citation’s official website ends with a “.app” instead of the legitimate “.com”. The QR code on the fake parking citation takes you to a homepage that looks similar to SFMTA’s, but only the “pay a parking ticket” link functions on it.

Can I use my parking meter card at SFMTA parking meters?

Customers who still have a parking meter card with stored value are able to use their card at SFMTA parking meters and paystations. We encourage you to take advantage of our credit card payment option accepted at all parking meters, or the PayByPhone program available on all iPhone or Android devices.

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