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.

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.

COMPLIANCE TICKETS: You must provide proof within 30 days from the date the citation was issued that the violation has been corrected in order to have your citation dismissed. 

     Examples of compliance tickets and acceptable proof of compliance are:

No/Expired County Decal

• Property tax paperwork that the decal came on
• Copy of your temporary decal
• Photograph of current decal on vehicle, with the license plate clearly visible in the photograph
• Lease showing that you have moved to Arlington County within 60 days from the date of the citation. (Arlington County only)
• Bill of sale showing that the vehicle was purchased within 60 days from the date of the citation. (Arlington County only)
• Vehicle registration showing that the vehicle was purchased within 60 days from the date of the citation. (Arlington County only)
• Current vehicle registration with a jurisdiction code showing a jurisdiction that does not require a property tax decal. The jurisdiction code on the registration is not the listed address; it is found below the registered owner’s address. If your jurisdiction code does not accurately reflect where your vehicle is garaged, please contact Virginia DMV to change your registration before submitting compliance.

For information about Arlington County Decals, click here

No/Expired Registration

• Valid vehicle registration from DMV
• Valid temporary registration
• Photograph of current year stickers properly attached to the license plate of the ticketed vehicle

For information about Virginia Registration, click here

No/Expired Inspection

• Pink or white Virginia State Safety Inspection Certification
• Photograph of current Inspection sticker on vehicle, with license plate clearly visible in the photograph
• Registration of out-of-state vehicle that does not require inspection
• Proof from the Virginia State Police that the ticketed vehicle has an antique license plate and qualifies for an exemption from obtaining a Virginia State Safety Inspection

Virginia Safety Inspection FAQ

Expired Multi-Meter

• Parking receipt that was received from the parking meter kiosk to pay for parking during the time the citation was received. There is no grace period.

For information about Multi-Meters, click here

Zone Permit Violation

• Photograph of the permit sticker on the rear bumper of the ticketed vehicle, with the license plate clearly visible in the photograph.
• Copy of your FlexPass, with all of the information clearly readable.
• Copy of your Short Term Visitor Zone Pass, properly filled out and in pen.
• Copy of a work permit for construction, utility, and landscape vehicles engaged in work related activities, in a residentially zoned area.

Handicap Violation

• Copy of your handicap placard
• Copy of your temporary placard
• Photograph of placard or plates

No Front Tag

• Photograph of your front license plate properly attached to the front bumper of your vehicle.

If you have received one of the citations listed above you can have the violation(s) reviewed to determine the need for a court appearance. You can fill out the online form 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 the paperwork in person. Please note that your ticket will NOT be reviewed while you wait.

TICKETS WRITTEN IN ERROR:  

Examples of tickets written in error are:
• Receiving notice of Unpaid Parking Ticket and the vehicle described is not registered to you.
• Vehicle make does not match what is described on the citation.

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 feel there is an error on your citation you can have the violation(s) reviewed to determine the need for a court appearance. You can fill out the online form 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 the paperwork in person. 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. 

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. 

How To Request a Court Date

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

1.  Complete 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 via CAPP  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.