Parking Fines by City: The Complete U.S. Guide (2026)

A comprehensive, publicly available reference for parking ticket fines, appeal deadlines, and dispute processes across 5 U.S. cities. Data sourced from municipal codes and official city websites.

Last updated April 2026 · ParkingFight Research Team

5

Cities covered

$69

Avg fine amount

1530d

Appeal windows

Online or Mail

Most common method

All Cities — Parking Fine Reference Table

CityStateAvg FineAppeal DeadlineAppeal MethodViolations CoveredDetail
ChicagoIL$6021 daysOnline or Mail7View guide
Los AngelesCA$7321 daysOnline or Mail7View guide
New York CityNY$6530 daysOnline or Mail8View guide
PhiladelphiaPA$5115 daysOnline or Mail7View guide
San FranciscoCA$9421 daysOnline or Mail7View guide

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a parking ticket in New York City?

The average parking ticket in New York City is $65. Common violations include street cleaning ($65), expired meter ($65), and fire hydrant violations ($115). You have 30 days to appeal through NYC OATH.

How much is a parking ticket in Los Angeles?

The average parking ticket in Los Angeles is $73. Street sweeping violations are $73 and expired meter tickets are $63. You have 21 days to contest a ticket through LADOT.

How much is a parking ticket in Chicago?

The average parking ticket in Chicago is $60. Chicago fines can double if unpaid. You have 21 days to appeal. Chicago offers online and mail appeal options.

Which city has the most expensive parking fines?

Among cities in our database, San Francisco, CA has the highest average parking fine at $94 per ticket. Fine amounts vary by violation type — fire hydrant and double-parking violations typically carry the steepest penalties in any city.

Which city has the shortest appeal deadline?

Philadelphia, PA has one of the shortest appeal windows in our database at just 15 days. Always check your ticket for the specific deadline — and act quickly, since missed deadlines result in automatic liability.

How do I fight a parking ticket?

The most effective way to fight a parking ticket is to write a formal appeal letter that cites the specific municipal code, identifies a valid defense (such as obscured signage, broken meter, or procedural error), and is filed before the deadline. ParkingFight generates city-specific appeal letters for $14. Start at parkingfight.com/get-letter.

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