What are common reasons that would result in a parking citation being canceled?
The citation was issued in error of law.
An officer wrote the wrong license plate number.
Expired registration and it was not expired
A data entry error attributed the citation to the wrong license plate.
An error is made in State motor vehicle database records.
A vehicle is properly permitted but the permit was stolen.
Failure to display disabled person placard or license
The registered owner is not responsible for the violation
An extenuating circumstance that makes the dismissal of the citation appropriate in the interest of justice.
How do I contest and remove a citation if I have never visited Redondo Beach?
We apologize for any inconvenience this has caused.
This is usually due to a data entry error by the issuing officer or by office personnel.
If you received a notice for a delinquent parking citation, and you have never visited Redondo Beach, you may resolve this by several means.
Call the Redondo Beach Parking Enforcement Unit at (310) 318-0617 and request an Administrative Investigation Initial Review form, or click here for a copy of the form.
In some cases, based on circumstances, the Parking Enforcement staff may be able to assist you with the completion of the forms.
Complete the Administrative Investigation Initial Review form and submit it with a copy of your vehicle registration and a copy of the delinquent citation notice by mail or in person.
An investigating officer will review the documents and render a decision as to your responsibility for paying the citation.
You will receive a written response to your appeal from the Parking Enforcement Unit to advise the status of the parking citation.
What are the administrative procedures to appeal a parking citation if it was issued in error?
California Vehicle Code 40215 identifies the process to contest a citation that was issued in error.
You may contest your parking citation by following three progressive steps.
Each step must be completed before appealing at the next level:
Administrative Investigation Initial Review
Administrative Hearing
Superior Court civil court action (de novo hearing)
How to Appeal
How may I appeal a citation?
By mail
In-person
When Must I Appeal a Citation
What is the time limit to submit an appeal?
You must submit your appeal within twenty-one (21) days from the date of your parking violation or within fourteen (14) days from the mailing of the Notice of Delinquent Parking Violation to request an Administrative Investigation Initial Review.
May I appeal my citation if I am late, and it is after the 14 days from the date of the delinquent parking notice?
No.
The California Vehicle Code states that you must file your parking citation appeal within 21 days from the date the citation was issued or 14 days from the date of your delinquent parking notice. There are two possible exceptions:
A police crime report showing that the vehicle was stolen when the citation was issued
A death certificate showing that the owner of the vehicle was deceased when the citation was issued.
Levels of Review
How do I submit the appeal for a parking citation?
California Vehicle Code 40215 identifies the process to contest a citation. You may contest your parking citation by following three progressive steps:
Administrative Investigation Initial Review
First Step
Complete, sign and submit a Request for Administrative Investigation Initial Review form at the Redondo Beach City Hall, 415 Diamond Street, Door E or by mail.
You can print a copy of the Request for Administrative Investigation Initial Review here.
You can call (310) 318-0617 to request a copy of the Request for Administrative Investigation Initial Review form by mail or FAX or
You can obtain a form in-person from the Parking Enforcement office at 415 Diamond Street, Door E.
Provide a written statement on your Request for Administrative Investigation Initial Review form with a photocopy of your citation and any copies of any proof to support your appeal (e.g., receipts, photos, DP Placard, DP identification card, proof of registration, change of vehicle ownership, permit holder information, etc.).
You may submit your appeal in-person at or send them to: City of Redondo Beach, Parking Enforcement Citation Review, 415 Diamond Street, P.O. Box 270, Redondo Beach CA 90277.
You may be contacted for additional information.
Maintain copies of your Administrative Investigation Initial Review form and any documents/materials submitted to support your statement; materials submitted for review will not be returned.
You do not have to pay the citation until the Administrative Investigation Initial Review is complete, and you have been found liable to pay the citation.
A hold will be placed on your citation upon receipt of the Request for Administrative Investigation Initial Review form.
You should receive a response to your request for cancellation by mail within 21 calendar days.
If the result of the Administrative Investigation Initial Review is that you are liable to pay the citation, you may either pay the penalty to conclude the matter or request an Administrative Hearing.
If the result of the Administrative Investigation Initial Review is that you are not liable to pay the citation, you will receive written notification that the citation has been dismissed. Your citation will be canceled, and you do not have to take any further action.
Administrative Hearing
Second Step
If you are dissatisfied with the results of the Administrative Investigation Initial Review, you must within twenty-one (21) days of the mailing of the results of your Administrative Investigation Initial Review:
Make a request for an Administrative Hearing by telephone, in writing, or in person.
Complete, sign and submit a Request for Administrative Hearing form with a photocopy of your citation, and
Submit the full amount of the parking citation penalty (or verifiable and substantial proof of indigent status). All fees due from the citation must be paid before and Administrative Hearing date is provided unless indigent status is accepted.
Provide your written explanation on the form that explains why you believe the citation should be canceled. Include any documents that you feel are relevant to your appeal.
Request an in-person or mail-in hearing before a hearing examiner by:
Requesting an in-person hearing appearance by making an appointment by calling (310) 318-0617.
Requesting a review of your written appeal by the hearing officer and submitting your appeal in writing by mail or at City Hall.
Maintain copies of your Administrative Investigation Initial Review form and any evidence submitted to support your statement; materials submitted for review will not be returned.
An administrative hearing must be held within 90 calendar days following the receipt of the request for a hearing.
When can I schedule a hearing?
The independent hearing examiner normally conducts hearings on Wednesdays between 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. at the Redondo Beach City Hall.
What happens at an administrative hearing?
The Hearing Examiner will have a case folder that contains the information about your citation including:
A copy of the citation
Any correspondence from the issuing enforcement officer or City staff relevant to your citation
The results of any investigations conducted during the Administrative Investigation Initial Review process
The Hearing Examiner will review this information, listen to your explanation why the citation should be dismissed or read your written declaration if you choose not to appear for an in-person hearing.
If the Hearing Examiner determines that you are not liable for the citation, you will be issued a refund by mail.
Who is the hearing examiner, and what will they do?
The hearing examiner is not a City employee
Is appointed by the City.
Has a background and knowledge of the judicial system and hearing procedures
Will listen to the reasons and review the evidence that you show to support your reasons to cancel the citation
Will review the documentation of the City related to your violation
Will tape record the hearing for purposes of preparing their decision only
If I am having an in-person hearing, when should I arrive, and what should I bring?
Please arrive ten minutes before your scheduled hearing.
Bring any records, photos, documents or witnesses that you want to present in support of your case.
You must present all evidence in support of your statement at the hearing. The hearing examiner will not accept additional materials after the hearing. No extensions will be given to submit further documentation.
Documentation will not be returned.
You must bring an interpreter if you require one.
What if I cannot attend the hearing at the date and time of my appointment for the hearing?
You are entitled to one extension within 21 calendar days of your hearing date, if you are unable to appear on your scheduled date.
You may reschedule your hearing by contacting the Parking Enforcement Unit at (310) 318-0617 no later than seven (7) business days prior to the scheduled date and time of your hearing.
Only one continuance will be granted.
How may I schedule an Administrative Hearing if I am unable to pay my citation before the hearing due to financial hardship?
Determination of an inability to pay is governed by California Vehicle Code Section 40215(b) and may allow a waiver of the deposit of the amount due, provided that the City of Redondo Beach has sufficient proof and has granted a variance.
This waiver does NOT cancel your fine. It simply allows you to attend a Hearing without first paying the fine required by state law. If your citation is found to be valid, you still must pay the fines.
What is the process to obtain a waiver of payment for my citation before the conclusion of my Administrative Hearing?
If you would like to request a waiver, you may download a Waiver Request Form on this website, or obtain one by calling the Parking Enforcement Unit at (310) 318-0617 Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
You must complete the application in full and submit your most current IRS tax filing, disability or welfare payment stubs. Failure to complete the application and file the required information will cause an automatic denial for use of the payment agreement.
The application must be submitted at the Parking Enforcement Unit at 415 Diamond Street, Door E, Redondo Beach CA 90277 or mailed to:
City of Redondo Beach
415 Diamond Street
P.O. Box 270
Redondo Beach CA 90277
If your hearing payment waiver is granted and you are found liable, you must make the final payment within 90 days.
You will be notified whether or not you have been granted a waiver by mail. You must request that a hearing is scheduled.
When and how will I hear the results of my Administrative Hearing?
The results of the hearing will be mailed to you at the address you provide.
You will usually receive the results of your hearing within 14 days of your hearing date.
Appeal - Civil Court Action
Third Step
If you disagree with the results of the Administrative Hearing, you may appeal the hearing results in the Superior Court civil court pursuant to Vehicle Code 40230(a).
You may not request a Civil Appeal unless you have already received the results of your Administrative Investigation Initial Review and Administrative Hearing and have been found liable for the citation at each of these appeals.
You must file your civil appeal within thirty (30) calendar days from the date of the Hearing examiner’s decision at the Civil Division of the Southwest District Torrance Court and must pay a $25.00 filing fee collected by the court.
If your citation is unpaid due to a previous request for a waiver pending the decisions of your Administrative Investigation Initial Review and Administrative Hearing, you must pay your citation in full to the City of Redondo Beach before filing your civil appeal.
You may inquire about the civil court appeal at the Southwest District Torrance Court Civil Division, 825 Maple Avenue, Torrance Ca 90503.
