How to Fight a Speed Camera Ticket in San Francisco, CA (2026)
San Francisco is the primary launch city for California's first-ever automated speed enforcement program, operating under AB 645 (Stats. 2023, Ch. 610, signed October 13, 2023). The program is run by the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) — a transit agency, not the police department. SFMTA's initial deployment covered 33 speed cameras across eight priority corridors selected from the Vision Zero High Injury Network, the 12% of city streets that account for 68% of severe and fatal traffic injuries in San Francisco. The statutory cap allows up to 125 cameras per city. AB645 cameras issue civil citations to the registered vehicle owner — not the driver — for any vehicle clocked at 11 mph or more over the posted speed limit. There are zero DMV points, no driving-record entry, and no insurance impact. Each new camera corridor must undergo a mandatory 60-day warning-only period before civil penalties can be assessed. The AB645 pilot runs through January 1, 2032.
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San Francisco Speed Camera Fines
| Violation | Fine |
|---|---|
| Speed — 11–15 mph over the posted limitStatutory base fine set by AB645 (Sts. & Hwy. Code §22405.1(d)(1)). Income-qualified owners may reduce this 50% (at ≤200% FPL) or 80% (at ≤100% FPL) by statute. | $50 |
| Speed — 16–25 mph over the posted limitIncome-based reduction: 50% (at ≤200% FPL) = $50; 80% (at ≤100% FPL) = $20. | $100 |
| Speed — 26–40 mph over the posted limitIncome-based reduction: 50% (at ≤200% FPL) = $100; 80% (at ≤100% FPL) = $40. | $200 |
| Speed — 41+ mph over the posted limitIncome-based reduction: 50% (at ≤200% FPL) = $250; 80% (at ≤100% FPL) = $100. | $500 |
| Warning period citationsFor 60 days after each corridor activates, SFMTA mails warning notices only — no monetary penalties. Per Sts. & Hwy. Code §22405.1(e)(2). | $0 |
How to Contest a San Francisco Speed Camera Ticket
Where: SFMTA Citation Services (administrative — NOT a court)
How / where to file: SFMTA Citation Services, 11 South Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94103. Online: sfmta.com/getting-around/drive-park/citations/sfmta-citation-services. Phone: (415) 701-3000.
San Francisco Deadline
The contest deadline is printed on your citation notice. AB645 requires the notice to specify the deadline (Sts. & Hwy. Code §22405.1(g)(1)(B)). SFMTA's standard is 21 days from the date the citation is mailed, consistent with existing SFMTA parking citation practice — use the date on your notice. Missing the deadline may result in a default determination.
AB645 citations are administrative — not criminal — proceedings. There is no court, no bail, and no Notice to Appear. Two steps: Step 1 (Initial Administrative Review): submit a written statement and evidence by mail or online through SFMTA citation services. SFMTA reviews the camera evidence, speed measurement data, signage compliance, and AB645 procedural requirements. If dismissed, no further action is needed. Step 2 (Administrative Hearing): if the initial review does not resolve the citation, request an administrative hearing before an SFMTA hearing officer. If still not resolved, judicial review via writ of mandate (CCP §1094.5) to Superior Court is available but generally disproportionate to the fine. Strong grounds to raise: owner was not in possession of the vehicle (stolen, car-share, transferred title); plate or vehicle misidentification; warning-period violation (citation within 60 days of corridor activation); speed survey / 85th-percentile compliance challenge; calibration records defect; income-based reduction (50% at ≤200% FPL; 80% at ≤100% FPL).
Notable Speed Camera Locations in San Francisco
- Geary Boulevard — major crosstown arterial; historically high injury rate; Vision Zero High Injury Network priority corridor
- Mission Street — long arterial with high pedestrian density through the Mission District
- Cesar Chavez Street — Mission/Bernal Heights; designated Vision Zero High Injury Network corridor
- Folsom Street (SoMa) — high-speed one-way arterial with significant pedestrian and cyclist activity
- Howard Street (SoMa) — parallel one-way arterial; frequent speeding concerns
- Third Street (Dogpatch/Bayview) — High Injury Network designation; mixed residential/industrial
- Tenderloin / Market Street area — high pedestrian injury corridor; Vision Zero priority
- Treasure Island / I-80 connector — state-route speed concern at entry to Treasure Island
San Francisco Speed Camera — By the Numbers
California's first automated speed enforcement program began under AB 645 (Stats. 2023, Ch. 610, signed October 13, 2023), with San Francisco as the primary launch city (California Legislative Information, AB-645; SFMTA Automated Speed Enforcement page).
AB645 cameras only cite vehicles traveling 11 mph or more over the posted speed limit. Vehicles traveling 1–10 mph over are not cited under the program (Sts. & Hwy. Code §22405.1(c)(1)).
The base fine for a San Francisco AB645 speed camera citation is $50 for 11–15 mph over, rising to $500 for 41+ mph over — set by state statute, not SFMTA (Sts. & Hwy. Code §22405.1(d)(1)).
Income-qualified San Francisco residents can reduce an AB645 fine by 50% (at or below 200% FPL) or 80% (at or below 100% FPL) as a matter of state law — not a discretionary waiver (Sts. & Hwy. Code §22405.1(f)(1)–(2)).
AB645 citations carry no DMV points and are not reported to the Department of Motor Vehicles. Insurance companies cannot use them for rating purposes (Sts. & Hwy. Code §22405.1(j)(1)–(2)).
Each new camera corridor must undergo a mandatory 60-day warning-only period before civil penalties can be issued. A penalty-bearing citation issued within 60 days of a corridor's activation is a violation of the statute (Sts. & Hwy. Code §22405.1(e)(2)).
San Francisco's AB645 pilot is authorized to deploy up to 125 speed cameras across designated safety corridors (Sts. & Hwy. Code §22405.1(b)(1)).
SFMTA selected enforcement corridors from San Francisco's Vision Zero High Injury Network — the 12% of streets that account for 68% of severe and fatal traffic injuries in SF (SF Vision Zero Action Strategy; SFMTA Vision Zero page).
Which California defenses apply to your ticket?
San Francisco's AB645 speed cameras are authorized under Sts. & Hwy. Code §22405.1 (added by AB645). The California state page covers the dual-track model (Legacy RLC, SB720 RLC, AB645 speed) and state-level defenses including the owner-non-liability structure, signage requirements, speed-survey (85th-percentile) compliance, and calibration records challenges under the California Public Records Act (Gov. Code §7920.000). This page adds SFMTA's specific program scale (33 cameras across 8 Vision Zero High Injury Network corridors), the SFMTA Citation Services administrative contest process, the 60-day warning period, and the income-based fine-reduction entitlement.
See all California speed camera defenses →San Francisco Speed Camera Ticket FAQ
What is the AB645 speed camera program in San Francisco?
AB 645, signed into California law in October 2023, authorized San Francisco and six other California cities to operate automated speed cameras as a pilot — the first time California has legally permitted general speed cameras. San Francisco's program is run by the SFMTA. Cameras issue civil citations to the registered owner of vehicles clocked at 11 mph or more over the posted speed limit. There are no DMV points, no driving-record impact, and no insurance effect. The pilot runs through January 1, 2032.
How much is an SF speed camera ticket?
Fines are set by state law, not SFMTA: $50 for 11–15 mph over; $100 for 16–25 mph over; $200 for 26–40 mph over; $500 for 41+ mph over. If your household income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level, you are entitled by statute to a 50% reduction. At or below 100% FPL, the reduction is 80%. These are legal rights under AB645, not discretionary waivers.
Does an SF AB645 speed camera ticket affect my driving record or insurance?
No. AB645 citations are civil, not criminal. They are not reported to the DMV, do not add points to your license, and by statute cannot be used for insurance rating purposes. Source: Sts. & Hwy. Code §22405.1(j)(1)–(2).
How do I contest an SFMTA AB645 speed camera citation?
The process is administrative — no court, no bail. Step 1: request an Initial Administrative Review from SFMTA in writing by mail or online through SFMTA citation services. Step 2: if the initial review does not resolve it, request an administrative hearing before an SFMTA hearing officer. The deadline to request initial review is printed on your citation notice. Missing it may result in a default determination. Source: Sts. & Hwy. Code §22405.1(g); sfmta.com/getting-around/drive-park/citations/sfmta-citation-services.
I wasn't driving my car. Do I have to pay the AB645 ticket anyway?
AB645 cites the registered owner, not the driver. But the registered owner can rebut the presumption of liability with evidence that the vehicle was stolen at the time (attach a police report), that it was in a car-share or rental program, or that ownership had been transferred before the violation. Unlike California's legacy red-light camera process, you do not have to identify who was actually driving to rebut the presumption. Source: Sts. & Hwy. Code §22405.1(c)(2)–(3).
Does SF have red-light cameras?
San Francisco does not currently operate an active red-light camera program. SFMTA's current automated enforcement program is the AB645 speed camera pilot only. If you received a red-light camera ticket in California, it was either issued in a different city or from an older legacy program. See the California camera page for how to identify which track applies to your ticket.
What is the warning period for new SF speed cameras?
AB645 requires a 60-day warning-notice-only period after each camera corridor is activated. During those 60 days, SFMTA mails warning letters but no civil penalties can be assessed. Each corridor has its own 60-day clock. If you received a penalty-bearing citation within 60 days of a specific corridor's activation date, that is a statutory violation of AB645's warning-period requirement and grounds to contest the citation. Source: Sts. & Hwy. Code §22405.1(e)(2).
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ParkingFight is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Information is for informational purposes only and based on publicly available California statutes, San Francisco program documents, and primary-source research as of 2026-06-05. Verify current rules with your court or a licensed attorney.