Parking Citation Payments

Paying Your Parking Citation
You may pay your parking citation at the Customer Service Counter in the Finance Department on the second floor of the Civic Arts Plaza/City Hall (
City Hall Hours are Monday - Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and alternating Fridays 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) or call (805) 449-2600 (select 2, then 2, then 1) to pay by Visa or Mastercard.

Courtesy Notice
Registered vehicle owners of unpaid tickets will be mailed a courtesy reminder notice within one month of the citation date. If not paid after the due date on the notice, the ticket will be attached to your DMV registration in the amount of the citation, plus additional fees and penalties. Please refer to current User Fees.

Contesting a Citation
You may contest your parking ticket within 21 days of the issuance of the citation or 14 days from the mailing date of the courtesy reminder notice. You may contact our office at (805) 449-2201 or call City Hall Anytime (804) 449-2600 to request an Administrative Review form to be mailed to you. Or you may download the Citation Contest form using Adobe Acrobat Reader**. 

The State of California Department of Motor Vehicle Code mandates that anyone contesting a parking citation complete a full review process.  City employees or the City Council cannot simply dismiss a parking citation.  There is a standard appeal process that all citizens must follow.

Contesting a citation is a three-step process:

Step 1. Administrative/Initial Review more...

The Administrative Review determines if the citation was properly issued.

 1) Complete the Administrative Review form found above.

 2)  Mail the completed form to: 

City of Thousand Oaks 
Attention: Finance Customer Service
2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd.
Thousand Oaks, CA  91362

Upon receipt, the request will be sent to the Thousand Oaks Police Department.  The Traffic Bureau will review the citation based on the written information you have provided to determine if there is sufficient proof to rule that: - the violation did not occur; the registered owner was not responsible, or extenuating circumstances prevented you from complying.You can expect the results of this review mailed to you within 5 to 6 weeksIf you are found to be “Not Liable” you will be sent written notification that the citation has been dismissed. Your citation will be cancelled and you do not need to take any further action.

If you are found to be “Liable”, you may schedule an administrative hearing to be conducted by an independent hearing officer (see step 2).

Step 2. Administrative Hearing more...

If you are not satisfied with the results of the Administrative/Initial Review, you may request an Administrative Hearing either in person or by written declaration. You must request an Administrative Hearing within 21 days of the date of the Administrative/Initial Review decision. After 21 days you are no longer eligible for an Administrative Hearing.

1)  Please contact the Finance Department no later than the due date identified on the results letter for the Administrative Review to arrange a hearing and schedule the date and time of the hearing. 

2)  State Law Requires that you pay all fines owed on the citation before you can request an Administrative Hearing.  If the Hearing Officer finds in your favor, you will be issued a refund.  A deposit* in the amount of the citation fine is required prior to schedule the hearing. 

The Hearing typically runs no longer than 15 minutes and is held at the East Valley Sheriff Station.  The Hearing must take place within 90 days from the date on the Notification of the Results of the Administrative Review.  Hearings are scheduled on the first Tuesday of each month.   If the Hearing Officer determines that you should not be held liable, the fine deposit will be refunded in full. 

* If you have limited assets, you may file a form to request a waiver of the deposit.  If granted, this does not forgive the citation fine if found liable by the Hearing Officer.  It only waives the requirement to place a deposit prior to scheduling the Administrative Hearing.

What Happens At An Administrative Hearing?

The Hearing Officer (an independent third party) will be provided with a case folder which contains all information relevant to your citation, including:

· A copy of the citation
· Any correspondence received by the City of Thousand Oaks concerning the citation
· The results of any investigations conducted during the Initial Review process

The Hearing Officer will review this information, and will also listen to your explanation of why the citation should be dismissed OR read your Written Declaration. You will be notified by mail of the Hearing Officer's determination.  If the Hearing Officer determines you are not liable for the citation, you  will be issued a refund.

In-Person Hearing Proceedings

Please plan to arrive 10 minutes early. 
· 
You may bring any witnesses, records, or documents with you that are applicable to your case.
· 
Any interpreters needed, including sign language, must be provided by the respondent.
· 
Any additional documents, relating to the appeal of your citation must be submitted at the time of your hearing. No extensions will be granted to submit further documentation. Documentation will not be returned.
· 
Results of the hearing will be mailed to you at the address provided.

If you are unable to appear on your scheduled date, you may request to reschedule by contacting the City of Thousand Oaks in writing or by phone, no less than 24 hours prior to the scheduled date and time listed on your scheduled hearing appointment letter. Only one continuance will be considered.

Step 3. Appeal more...

If you are found liable by the hearing officer and wish to continue contesting the citation, you may appeal the decision at Superior Court. You must request an appeal within 30 days of the Hearing Officer's decision. You must file for the appeal in person at the Superior Court. There is a filing fee per citation required by the Court, which will be refunded to you if the commissioner rules in your favor. You will also need to present the written Administrative Hearing decision at the time the appeal is filed. The written administrative hearing decision is submitted as evidence for the court appeal.

Parking citations appeals may be filed at the address listed below:

Ventura County Superior Court Criminal Traffic Division,
Hall of Justice Room #118
800 S. Victoria Ave.
Ventura, CA  93009

Phone:  (805) 654-2611

Please contact the Court for specific instructions on how to file an appeal.  The Appeal is a hearing where the Court will review the decision of the Hearing Officer. You must complete steps 1 and 2 prior to appealing with the Superior Court.

**If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader® click below for information on how to download a free copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader to view PDF files.