How long do I have to contest a parking ticket in San Francisco?

You have 21 days from the citation date to file an appeal with SFMTA, through its official appeal portal at https://www.sfmta.com/getting-around/drive-park/citations. Miss that window and the citation is normally treated as accepted, so file first and gather extra paperwork after.

What evidence do I need to fight a San Francisco parking ticket?

Include the citation number, the date and time, your license plate, and a photo of the posted sign or your paid meter receipt taken at the space. A timestamped photo showing the meter was paid, or that the posted restriction did not apply at that hour, is the evidence that decides most San Francisco, CA appeals. ParkPiggy stores those photos on your device and drafts the letter for you.

What are the parking meter hours in San Francisco?

Meters in San Francisco, CA are enforced Mon–Sat, 9:00 AM–6:00 PM. Rates run about $1.50–$8/hour. Free parking: Most meters free Sundays. Posted signs at the space always override a citywide schedule.

How do I file the appeal in San Francisco?

Write a short statement naming the citation, the space, and why the ticket was issued in error, attach your photo evidence, and submit it to SFMTA within 21 days using https://www.sfmta.com/getting-around/drive-park/citations. ParkPiggy generates that letter from your scan and photo so you only have to paste and send it.

What is the most common parking ticket trap in San Francisco?

Street cleaning is block-by-block. Signs change mid-block. Read the sign nearest your bumper, not the one you parked beside. Typical fine: $90+.

Is parking free on Sundays or holidays in San Francisco?

Most meters free Sundays Outside those times, assume meters are live during Mon–Sat, 9:00 AM–6:00 PM.

Local parking guide

Parking rules in San Francisco, CA

Meter hours, the rules that hand out the most tickets, and exactly how long you have to contest one in San Francisco. Enforced by SFMTA.

San Francisco meter hours

Enforced:: Mon–Sat, 9:00 AM–6:00 PM
Rate:: $1.50–$8/hour
Free parking:: Most meters free Sundays
Ticket risk:: Extreme
Data quality:: Verified source

How to contest a San Francisco parking ticket

You have 21 days from the citation date to file an appeal with SFMTA. Photograph the sign and your paid meter before you leave — that photo is the evidence that wins most appeals.

Draft my dispute letter Official San Francisco appeal portal

From ParkPiggy

Own a city

Geo-targeted placement next to the local rules drivers came here to read.

See city inventory

Watch it: contesting a San Francisco ticket

Two short clips — one for the photos to take at the curb, one for the appeal itself. Every step is written out under each clip, so you never need the audio.

Shoot the proof in San Francisco

5 sec

Meter screen first, then the sign above it — the two frames that win most SFMTA appeals.

Pay first, then photograph the meter or kiosk screen while the time paid is still showing.
Step back and photograph the whole sign post so every posted restriction is in one frame.
Photograph anything blocking the sign — foliage, a truck, luggage, scaffolding.
Save both photos in ParkPiggy Photos before you walk away.

How the San Francisco appeal works

10 sec

You get about 21 days from the citation date to file with SFMTA. Here's the order of operations.

Read the citation and note the date — the 21-day clock starts there, not when you found the ticket.
Attach your meter and sign photos as evidence.
Generate the dispute letter, which names the citation, the space and the rule.
Submit it through the SFMTA portal and log the filing date in your tracker.
Keep a copy. A decision can take weeks after the filing window closes.

Your San Francisco evidence checklist

Built from the 4 rules we hold for San Francisco and the 21-day SFMTA window. Tick each shot as you take it — progress is saved on this device only.

9 photos to capture

Photo of the meter or kiosk screen showing time paidShows SFMTA the exact minute you paid and how long it covered. Get the screen readable, not just the machine.
Photo of the paper receipt or the app confirmation screenA second, independent record in case the meter screen photo is hard to read.
Photo of the space or meter number next to your carTies the payment you made to the space the citation was written for.
Wide photo of every posted sign on the block faceMeters in San Francisco run Mon–Sat, 9:00 AM–6:00 PM, but the sign at your bumper overrides that. A wide shot proves what was actually posted.
Photo of anything blocking, faded or contradicting the signFoliage, a delivery truck, luggage, scaffolding or a peeling sign face is one of the strongest grounds for dismissal.
Photo of your car in the space with the curb and hydrant visibleEstablishes distance from hydrants, corners and driveways, and shows the curb colour.
Photo of the street-cleaning sign with the day and hours legibleStreet cleaning is block-by-block. Signs change mid-block. Read the sign nearest your bumper, not the one you parked beside.
Photo covering the San Francisco trap: the 'but i paid' trapPaying a meter does not override a tow-away, cleaning, or time-limit restriction on the same block.
Photo of both sides of the citation itselfYou have 21 days from the citation date to file with SFMTA, and the citation number has to be exact.

Save these photos

Set a San Francisco deadline reminder

San Francisco gives you about 21 days from the citation date to file with SFMTA. Enter the date on your ticket and ParkPiggy warns you before the window shuts.

Date printed on the citation

Citation number (optional)

Warn me this many days early

Filing deadline: 9/17/2026 · 22 days left

Open my appeal tracker

San Francisco parking rules and traps

Curb colors are law
Verified source
Red = never, yellow = commercial loading, white = passenger only, green = short term, blue = disabled placard.
Sourcefor Curb colors are law (opens in a new tab)
Street cleaning is block-by-block
Verified source
Signs change mid-block. Read the sign nearest your bumper, not the one you parked beside.
$90+
Sourcefor Street cleaning is block-by-block (opens in a new tab)
The 'but I paid' trap
Verified source
Paying a meter does not override a tow-away, cleaning, or time-limit restriction on the same block.
Sourcefor The 'but I paid' trap (opens in a new tab)
Curb your wheels on hills
Verified source
On any grade of 3% or more you must turn wheels to the curb and set the brake.
$118
Sourcefor Curb your wheels on hills (opens in a new tab)

Stella's San Francisco tips

SFMTA gives you about 21 days to protest. Start the same day you get the ticket.
Snap the curb paint in your photo — faded red paint has beaten citations here.

San Francisco parking questions, answered

How long do I have to contest a parking ticket in San Francisco?: You have 21 days from the citation date to file an appeal with SFMTA, through its official appeal portal at https://www.sfmta.com/getting-around/drive-park/citations. Miss that window and the citation is normally treated as accepted, so file first and gather extra paperwork after.
What evidence do I need to fight a San Francisco parking ticket?: Include the citation number, the date and time, your license plate, and a photo of the posted sign or your paid meter receipt taken at the space. A timestamped photo showing the meter was paid, or that the posted restriction did not apply at that hour, is the evidence that decides most San Francisco, CA appeals. ParkPiggy stores those photos on your device and drafts the letter for you.
What are the parking meter hours in San Francisco?: Meters in San Francisco, CA are enforced Mon–Sat, 9:00 AM–6:00 PM. Rates run about $1.50–$8/hour. Free parking: Most meters free Sundays. Posted signs at the space always override a citywide schedule.
How do I file the appeal in San Francisco?: Write a short statement naming the citation, the space, and why the ticket was issued in error, attach your photo evidence, and submit it to SFMTA within 21 days using https://www.sfmta.com/getting-around/drive-park/citations. ParkPiggy generates that letter from your scan and photo so you only have to paste and send it.
What is the most common parking ticket trap in San Francisco?: Street cleaning is block-by-block. Signs change mid-block. Read the sign nearest your bumper, not the one you parked beside. Typical fine: $90+.
Is parking free on Sundays or holidays in San Francisco?: Most meters free Sundays Outside those times, assume meters are live during Mon–Sat, 9:00 AM–6:00 PM.

Check the curb you're standing at

Rules change block by block in San Francisco. Snap the sign and ParkPiggy tells you whether you can park there right now.

Scan a sign

Official San Francisco parking page

Stella's note

Posted signs beat every guide, including this one. Use the San Francisco rules above to know what to look for.

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