Parking Citation Appeals

Requirements

To submit an appeal, you will need to provide:

• Your full name and mailing address
• Your telephone number and email, if available
• Citation number and date issued
• License plate number, including the state in which the vehicle is registered
• Your parking permit number (if applicable)
• Reason(s) for appeal

Appeal Tips

• Describe the facts of the matter including: when, where, how, and/or why the incident occurred.
• If extenuating circumstances are presented as cause for appeal, supporting documentation should be included (e.g., accident reports, auto repair bills).
• Enclose a photograph, map or diagram of the parking space in question if you believe it will help the Office of the City Clerk understand the basis of your appeal.
• Explain how your action did not constitute a violation by applying the parking regulation in question to the facts you have discussed.

The Process

When an appellant submits an appeal online, the appellant will receive a confirmation email. Once a citation is appealed, the due date for the fine is nullified. Once an appeal is submitted it can take 2-4 weeks to get the appeal result.

• If the appeal is granted, the citation is dismissed and appellant will receive an email. No further action is necessary.
• If the appeal is denied, the appellant will receive an email, and a letter in the mail, with a new due date for the fine. The fine must be paid by the new due date.

The decision is final, and a violation may not be re-appealed.

Appeal Guidelines

The Office of the City Clerk uses the following guidelines to reach a decision:

• Understanding parking regulations is the responsibility of a motorized vehicle driver. Ignorance of the parking regulations is not a valid reason.
• Your past parking record may be a factor in the decision.
• Possession of a parking permit does not guarantee a parking space.
• Parking permits must be displayed correctly to be considered valid.
• The registered owner of the vehicle is ultimately responsible for the citation(s), regardless of who is driving the vehicle at the time of the violation.
• Most city parking regulations can be found in Title 15 of the Bloomington Municipal Code. 

Rationales for Appeal - Appeals may be granted for these reasons:

• There is substantial evidence that you did not commit the violation for which the citation was issued; or:
• You may have committed the violation, but experienced extenuating circumstances; and:
• Prior to being issued the citation, you made some demonstrable attempt to notify Parking Enforcement (such as a telephone call) of the situation; or:
• You can produce written verification from a source who was a party to the situation establishing that the situation was so unusual it cannot reasonably occur again.
• There may have been other extenuating circumstances that prevented you from avoiding a citation.
• You paid with Parkmobile at the time you were cited but you paid under a different license plate or with a typo in your plate by accident.

Weak Rationales for Appeal - Appeals may not be granted for these reasons:

• Lack of knowledge of the regulations
• Forgetfulness
• Parking for "just a short period"/"blinkers were on"/"parked for less than 5/10 minutes"
• Inability to find an authorized parking space
• Having the wrong permit for the space used
• Failure to obtain a temporary permit
• Failure to notice parking signs
• Failure to properly display a parking permit
• Disagreement with, or inability to pay, the fines
• Other vehicles were parked improperly
• Permission to park given by anyone other than an employee of the city of Bloomington parking services department
• Late to class or appointment
• This was the first citation received from the city
• Was not given a warning first