Arlington County Implements Changes to Parking Ticket Appeal Process

The Arlington County Police Department is currently issuing new parking tickets. The changes to the tickets reflect the modification of Arlington County Code 14.2-95. Citizens must request a court date and appear before the Arlington County General District Court in order to contest a parking ticket. The steps to contest a parking ticket are outlined below.

** EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2009, THE VIRGINIA ASSEMBLY PASSED LEGISLATION THAT AUTHORIZES COURT COSTS TO BE ASSESSED FOR VIOLATIONS OF HAVING NO OR EXPIRED VIRGINIA STATE INSPECTION EVEN IF THE VIOLATION HAS BEEN CORRECTED AND THE CITATION IS DISMISSED FOR COMPLIANCE **

The Virginia Assembly establishes Court Costs and they may mandate an increase without prior notice.  As of July 1st, 2009, court costs are $61.

To see a list of frequently asked questions (FAQ), click here.

Paying Your Parking Ticket

Unless you request a court date to contest your ticket, you may pay through the Arlington Treasurer’s Office.  Payment must be made within thirty (30) calendar days or a late fee of $25.00 will be assessed.  Make checks payable and send to:

Treasurer Arlington County

P.O. Box 1750

Merrifield, VA 22116-1750

You may also pay online at http://www.arlingtonva.us/payment or by phone at: 1-888-272-9829, use jurisdiction code 1000.

Once you have requested a court hearing, you no longer have the option to pay through the Treasurer’s Office.  You must pay through the General District Court and there is a court fee of $61*; mandated by state law.

Contesting a Parking Ticket

IPARK CITATIONS:  To contest a citation you received while using an IPark device ONLY, please contact the Treasurer’s Office at 703-228-3255 or by e-mail at treasurer@arlingtonva.us.

BROKEN PARKING METERS / RESIDENTIAL PERMIT PARKING: If you question the operation of a meter call: 703-228-3298. If you have a question about Residential Permit Parking, call (703) 228-7777.

COUNTY DECAL ENFORCEMENT: All vehicles must display a county decal as evidence that personal property taxes on the vehicle have been paid. This violation may not be discharged by payment of the fine unless the required county decal has been obtained. To register your vehicle call: 703-228-3135. For payment information call: 703-228-3166.

Requesting a Court Date

If you choose to contest your parking ticket, you must appear in General District Court, Traffic Division.  Only the registered owner can obtain a court date.  Exceptions will be permitted for leased or rented vehicles.  Once you request a court date (even if you later change your mind and decide to pay the ticket), your case becomes a General District Court case.  If you request a court date and then later decide to prepay your ticket rather than go to court, there will be $61 in court costs.  Payment of court costs is governed by Virginia state law.

To Request a Court Date

You must first complete an affidavit.  To request an affidavit, you must do one of the following:

1.  Click here for an on-line request

2.  Call 1-866-219-4912 and speak to a customer service representative

An affidavit will be mailed to you.  Once the affidavit is completed and return to the Processing Center, a Notice of Hearing will be mailed to you advising you of your court date. 

3.  You may also appear in person Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. (except holidays) at:

Arlington County Police Department

Customer Service Counter

1425 North Courthouse Road

Arlington, VA 22201

TICKETS WRITTEN IN ERROR:  Per the Arlington County Code, only tickets written in ERROR may be vacated by specifically designated personnel and avoid the need to appear in court.

Examples of tickets written in error are:

-          Receiving notice of Unpaid Parking Ticket and the vehicle described is not registered to you.

-          Construction / Utility / Landscape vehicles, engaged in work related activities, in a residentially zoned area

-          County Decal ticket issued to a vehicle not required to display one (DMV records must concur)

Examples of tickets that are NOT errors:

-          Receiving a citation for Expired Tags even if you have the temporary DMV registration.

            (Valid expiration stickers are required to be affixed to the tags)

-          Receiving a citation for Permit or Zone Violation whether or not the permit is displayed.

            (There is no documented proof that the permit was displayed, therefore a judge must decide)

-          Receiving a citation for Virginia (safety) Inspection on a new vehicle.

            (All VA Registered vehicles require current inspection sticker)

The above lists are not all inclusive.  They are for further guidance in seeking to resolve your parking citation.  If you feel you have received a ticket in error, you may leave a message for a supervisor of the Special Operations Section of the Arlington Police Department by calling (703) 228-7002.  Leave your name, violation number, officer name and ID number, contact number and a brief message regarding the ticket; a Police Department Representative will contact you.

The Hearing

Court hearings begin at 9:00 a.m.  There are generally several hundred traffic cases set for each day.  Traffic matters, including parking tickets, are heard in Courtroom 3C unless signs are posted outside the courtroom directing you to a different courtroom.  Court starts on time.  Please remember to leave enough time to find parking.  Cell phones and other electronic devices are not permitted in the courthouse.

If you are found guilty, you will be assessed court costs of $61 per citation plus any fines.  Failure to pay a fine or court cost may result in the suspension of a defendant’s privilege to drive in Virginia.

If you are unable to appear on your assigned hearing date, you must contact the General District Court clerk’s office at 703-228-7900 to request a change of date.  If you fail to appear for your hearing, a trial will be conducted in your absence and a fine and court cost assessed.  A $20 No Show fee will be assessed in addition to any fine(s) and court costs.