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1. Can I get a payment extension?

The City does not grant payment extensions. Payment must be received within 21 days of the date the ticket was issued, or within 14 days of the date of the first overdue notice. Otherwise, late fees will be added, which often double the ticket fine. Additional collection fees and DMV fees will be added if the ticket remains unpaid after the initial late fee penalty is assessed.

2. Do you accept credit cards?

Yes. Visa or MasterCard payments can be made by telephone by calling our Customer Service Hotline, 866-420-2894. Credit and debit card payments are also accepted online and at:

Neighborhood Services
38250 Sierra Highway
Second Floor
Palmdale, CA 93550

3. I have an overdue citation. Will my car be towed away?

Your vehicle will become eligible for towing if the vehicle has five or more delinquent tickets. This may include parking tickets anywhere in California. If your vehicle is in danger of being towed, you should pay your parking tickets immediately. If you have fewer than five delinquent tickets, your vehicle will not be towed, but, a hold will be placed on your annual vehicle registration until the tickets are paid.

4. I paid my ticket at the DMV, why did I get another notice?

There is a significant delay, often 30 to 60 days, between the time a payment is made at the DMV and when the City is notified of the payment. If you paid at the DMV, you may disregard late notices.

5. I was told that it was too late to contest my ticket. How can I make an appeal?

Tickets must be contested within 21 days of the date the ticket is issued, or within 14 days of the date of the first overdue notice. Once that period of time has expired, you lose your statutory right to contest the ticket. There is no appeal. 

However, if you are contesting your ticket on the grounds that the vehicle was stolen, the vehicle no longer belonged to you at the time the ticket was issued, or the sole registered owner of the vehicle is now deceased, you have an indefinite period of time to contest the citation and request an administrative review.

6. Can I be arrested if I don't pay my ticket?

No. Parking tickets are not criminal violations in California. You will not be arrested for failure to pay parking tickets. 

However, there are substantial penalties for unpaid parking tickets. Late fees can more than double the original ticket amount. You will be unable to register your vehicle until the overdue tickets are paid.

7. Can I do community service instead of paying the fine?

No. Community service is granted by the courts as an option to pay fines for criminal offenses. Since parking tickets have been decriminalized, there is no longer an alternative payment of the fine.

8. I can't afford to pay this ticket. Can I have it cancelled?

No. Parking tickets cannot be cancelled due to inability to pay.

9. Can I make payments on my ticket?

A payment arrangement application is available for citations with a fine of $100 or more. Payment arrangement applications must be received within 21 days of the date the ticket was issued, or within 14 days of the date of the first overdue notice to be considered. Payment arrangements are approved or denied and scheduled at the discretion of the Parking Enforcement office.

10. Why was I sent to collections?

You have a delinquent parking citation with the City of Palmdale. We have attempted to collect this debt with notices to the registered owner and a hold to the annual vehicle registration, but have not received full payment.

11. I sold this car. Why am I getting tickets in the mail?

If you were the registered owner at the time the ticket was issued, you are responsible for the ticket. Registered owner information is obtained from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). When you sell a vehicle, you are responsible for notifying the DMV that the vehicle is no longer in your possession, and for providing the DMV with the name and address of the new owner. 

If you continue to receive parking tickets for this vehicle, the DMV has your name on record as the legal owner. You must go to the DMV and complete a Release of Liability. Once you have done so, you must also complete a Declaration of Non-Ownership form and mail it to:

City of Palmdale
c/o Parking Citation Service Center
P.O. Box 11923
Santa Ana, CA 92711