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Parking Enforcement

The Parking Enforcement Team consists of 12 Parking Enforcement Officers, supervised by a Police Sergeant.

To Pay

Penalties can be paid online, in person, and by mail.

Pay online, if you have your license plate number and your citation number, through our secure online payment system. If you have questions or problems using the online payment system, please call 1-866-783-1929.

Pay by mail by sending your check, money order or certified check to:

City of Santa Barbara
c/o Citation Processing Center
P.O. Box 10479
Newport Beach, CA 92658-0479

The City of Santa Barbara is transitioning to a new vendor on February 25, 2021. If you have a citation that was written before February 25 and would like to pay please check back on March 15, 2021. Late fees for citations due during the period of March 1 – March 15 will be waived during this period.

Time Limit

You have 21 days from the date the citation is issued to pay the fine which is shown on the citation (weekends and holidays are counted). For correctable citations (i.e. expired registration, improper display of California registration/no registration tabs, and no front/rear plate) these are dismissible within 30 days of the citation date with proof of compliance and payment of an administrative fee.

To Dispute a Parking Citation

If you wish to contest a citation, you must submit your request within 21 days of the date of the violation online through our Citation Processing Center and complete a review request form. If you do not do submit your request within 21 days of the date of the violation you forfeit all rights to challenge the citation. Administrative fees to dismiss citation based on proof of compliance are not subject to challenge.

Further information regarding parking citations can be obtained by contacting:

City of Santa Barbara
c/o Citation Processing Center
P.O. Box 10479
Newport Beach, CA 92658-0479
(866) 783-1929

Parking Citation Payment Plan

SBPD Payment Plan: Contact the Parking Division at (866) 783-1929.

As set forth in CVC 40220, effective July 1, 2018, the Processing Agency will allow payment plan options for people with unpaid parking tickets who can provide proof of indigency. ONLY citations issued July 1, 2018 and after are applicable for the payment plan.

Delinquent Parking Citations

Registration and Equipment Corrections

California Vehicle Code (CVC) sections 4000, 4000.4, 5200, 5201, and 5204 require correction prior to payment of the fines. The Certificate of Correction on the citation may be completed by any law enforcement agency or any DMV office. Evidence of correction must be received by the Santa Barbara Police Department by the 30^th calendar day from the date the citation was issued. If received by the 30^th day, the fee may be reduced to a $25 administrative fee for CVC §§ 4000 and 4000.4 and a $10 administrative fee for CVC §§ 5200, 5201, and 5204.

Equipment violation correctable traffic tickets (“fix-it” tickets, such as for a broken tail light) can be signed at the Police Department and then paid at Traffic Court. All other violations must be dealt with by the Traffic Court clerk or at the DMV. You can contact Traffic Court at 1-805-568-3959. More information is online at http://www.courts.ca.gov/selfhelp-traffic.htm.

Speeding, Moving Violation, and Notice to Appear Tickets

These must be handled in Traffic Court and cannot be handled at the Police Department. More information is online at http://www.courts.ca.gov/selfhelp-traffic.htm. Contact Traffic Court at 1-805-568-3959.

Contesting a Parking Citation

To contest a citation, submit your request within 21 days of the date of the violation, online at Citation Processing Center and complete a review request form. If your request is not received within 21 days of the date of the violation you forfeit all rights to challenge the citation. Administrative fees to dismiss a citation based on proof of correction are not able to be contested.

Further information regarding parking citations can be obtained by contacting:

City of Santa Barbara
c/o Citation Processing Center
P.O. Box 10479
Newport Beach, CA 92658-0479
(866) 783-1929

Retrieving a Towed Vehicle

To retrieve a towed vehicle, the registered owner should come to the Police Department.

Vehicle must have current registration
Registered owner must present a valid driver’s license
A $160 release fee must be paid, which is in addition to the fees charged by the tow company

The release fee is $215 if the vehicle was being operated by a driver without a valid driver’s license.

If your vehicle was towed for having 5 or more delinquent citations, you must also pay the citations in full to retrieve your vehicle. If the car was towed when being driven by someone without a valid driver’s license, the release fee is $215.

If the vehicle’s owner doesn’t have a valid license or the vehicle is not currently registered, please contact the Parking Section for assistance at 1-805-897-2360.

Retrieving Property from a Towed Vehicle

To retrieve property from a towed vehicle, the vehicle’s registered owner (RO) must give permission. If the RO cannot come to the Police Department, contact the Parking Section at 1-805-897-2360 for information about the necessary procedures for property release.

Reporting a Vehicle Blocking a Driveway

Contact Santa Barbara Police Communications at 1-805-882-8900 and have the vehicle’s location, license plate number, and description.

Reporting an Abandoned Vehicle or other Parking Violation

A vehicle is considered abandoned if parked longer than 72 consecutive hours on a public street (SBMC 10.44.060) or if the vehicle is wrecked or incapable of operating under its own power longer than two (2) hours on a public street (SBMC 10.44.050). To report an abandoned vehicle or other parking violation, call 1-805-897-2413 and have the vehicle’s location, license plate number, and description.

Obtaining a Repossession Receipt

If your car was repossessed, you can get a repossession receipt from the Parking Citation Section at the Police Department. The fee is $15. The license plate number or Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is required. Please contact the Parking Section for assistance at 1-805-897-2360.

Disabled Person Parking Placards and License Plates

Once you have a valid Disabled Person (DP) placard, DP plates, or Disabled Veteran (DV) plates, you may park in certain areas. See https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/?1dmy&urile=wcm:path:/dmv_content_en/dmv/pubs/brochures/fast_facts/ffvr07# for privileges and limitations in the use of these placards and plates.