San Francisco, CA
Deadlines checkedTickets here come from SFMTA. You can contest online or by mail.
The steps, in order
Protest (initial review)
21 days from the date on the ticket. If you missed it, a later notice opens 21 more days.
Administrative hearing
25 days from the decision on the step before.
Superior Court appeal
30 days from the decision on the step before. This is the last step.
Source: SFMTA, Contest a citation. Checked 2026-11-12. Rules change, so read your own notice too.
Low income?
You can ask to contest without paying first (Vehicle Code 40215) and to pay in installments (Vehicle Code 40220).