Parking violations in Phoenix involve several factors such as the availability of an early payment discount on fines, the vehicle associated with parking violations being "booted" and towed, or a civil default judgment being entered against a person cited for a parking violation if certain requirements are not met.
Information about Parking Tickets Issued in the City of Phoenix
INITIAL COURT APPEARANCES FOR PARKING TICKETS ARE NOT BEING HELD IN PERSON. YOU MUST EITHER REQUEST A HEARING, CONTACT THE COURT TO RESOLVE YOUR CHARGE(S) BEFORE THE COURT DATE LISTED ON YOUR TICKET, OR PAY YOUR FINE(S).
When a person is cited for a parking violation, a City of Phoenix parking officer will leave a Notice of Violation (known as an NOV) and envelope on the windshield of the vehicle. The NOV contains vehicle information, location of the offense, offense type, fine amount, payment instructions, and instructions for entering a plea of "Not Responsible" and requesting a hearing.
Making Payment within 1 to 50 days from date of Notice of Violation
If payment for the parking offense is received by the City of Phoenix Finance Department within 21 calendar days from the date of the violation, a $20 discount is allowed. If payment for the violation has not been received within the early 21-day payment discount period, the owner registration information for the vehicle will be obtained from the Arizona Department of Transportation's Motor Vehicle Division (MVD). The Finance Department will forward a payment reminder notice to the vehicle owner as identified by MVD.
Not Making Payment within 50 days from date of Notice of Violation
If payment for the offense is not received by the Finance Department within 50 calendar days of the date of violation, the Phoenix City Code mandates that a Parking Summons and Complaint be issued by the Phoenix Municipal Court to the person or persons in whose name the vehicle is registered. The Summons and Complaint provide a court date, fine amount due, vehicle description, violation date, and the violation for which the vehicle was cited. The Phoenix City Code also provides that all persons in whose name or names such vehicle is registered are presumed responsible both jointly (together) and separately for a parking violation and are subject to the listed fine.
If a vehicle owner fails to pay the amount due, or fails to appear in court on or before the scheduled court date, a civil default judgment may be entered both for the sanction (fine) amount and any additional fees, including any imposed collection fees.
Boot and Tow
Persons with three or more unpaid City of Phoenix parking complaints are notified by the Phoenix Municipal Court that their vehicles may be "booted." A person may request a "pre-boot" hearing within 21 days of the date of the notification letter to challenge booting. If the fines remain unpaid, or the request for a pre-boot hearing is not satisfactorily made, the vehicle is placed on a "boot" eligibility list. Once Phoenix Police Department personnel identify a vehicle from the boot list, verify the registration with MVD, and the unpaid status with the Court, a boot is placed on the vehicle. If payment or payment arrangements are not made with the Court by the end of the business day (5:00 p.m.), the vehicle will be towed by 6:00 p.m. Payment or payment arrangements can be made in person at the Phoenix Municipal Court, 300 West Washington Street, Phoenix, AZ. Full payment can be made by credit card by calling the court at (602) 262-6421. For persons desiring to contest the booting, a post-boot hearing will be scheduled during normal Court business hours.