Updated Arlington County Parking Ticket Appeals 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 Virginia Assembly establishes Court Costs and they may mandate an increase without prior notice.  As of July 1st, 2009, court costs are $61, and must be paid if the ticket is upheld.

***If you have received a parking citation for any of the following violations:  No/Expired Decal, No/Expired Registration, No/Expired Inspection, or Expired Multi-Meter or if your ticket was issued in error per the guidelines below you may have the violation(s) handled without the need for a court appearance. See below for additional information***

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

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. *Note: This is not a multi-meter citation.

BROKEN PARKING METERS: If you question the operation of a meter, call (703) 228-3298.

RESIDENTIAL PERMIT PARKING: 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.
COMPLIANCE TICKETS: Specifically designated personnel may dismiss compliance tickets and avoid the need to appear in court. You must show proof of compliance in order to have your citation dismissed.

Examples of compliance tickets and acceptable proof of compliance are:

• No/Expired County Decal
   - County Property Tax receipt (not County Property Tax bill)
   - Temporary decal
   - Photo of current decal on vehicle

For information about Arlington County Decals, click here

• No/Expired Registration
  - Current registration
  - Temporary registration
  - Photo of registration on vehicle (license plates with current stickers)

For information about Virginia Registration, click here

• No/Expired Inspection
  - Virginia State Safety Inspection Certification
  - Photo of current Inspection sticker on vehicle

Virginia Safety Inspection FAQ

• Expired Multi-Meter
  - Valid multi-meter receipt

For information about Multi-Meters, click here

TICKETS WRITTEN IN ERROR:  Per the Arlington County Code, only tickets written in ERROR may be dismissed 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
• Vehicle make does not match what is described on the citation.
• County Decal ticket issued to a vehicle not required to display one (DMV records must concur)

Examples of tickets that are NOT errors:
• Any parking sign violation.
• Expired meter that is not a multi-meter space.
• Broken Meters. (Please call (703) 228-3298 to have your ticket addressed)

The above lists are not all inclusive. If you have received a compliance ticket or if you feel your ticket has been issued in error you can have the violation(s) reviewed to determine the need for a court appearance. You may e-mail proof to parkingtickets@arlingtonva.us, fax your information to (703) 228-4192 or bring your proof in person to the Arlington County Police Department Information Counter Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m (except holidays), and fill out an affidavit. Please note that your ticket will NOT be reviewed while you wait.

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.

How 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

** 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 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.

Paying Your Parking Ticket

Unless you request a court date to contest your ticket you must 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.