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Parking Citations / Appeals

Parking Enforcement

The parking enforcement division of the University of Washington Police Department administers parking enforcement and the administrative hearing process for the Seattle campus. The Parking and Traffic Rules on the University of Washington--Seattle are under WAC 478-116 and can be found here.

Getting a Parking Violation Citation

If you receive a Parking Violation Citation, it is important to respond to the Parking Enforcement Office within the initial response period of twenty (20) calendar days from the citation date to avoid being assessed an additional $25 Late Penalty. A list of the motor vehicle fines and penalties can be found here.

Download a Parking Citation Petition Form.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How do I respond correctly before the response period expires?

You can respond to a Parking Violation Citation by:

  • Paying the Fine, or
  • Contesting the issuance of the Parking Violation Citation

Please contact the Parking Enforcement Office to pay or contest your Parking Citation. Payment by phone is not available.

Helpful Hint: Anytime you contact the Parking Enforcement Office, please have your license plate or citation number available. All citations include the license plate number and a designated citation number on the ticket.

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What happens if I don't respond in time?

Parking Violation Citations that have not been paid or appealed by the response date are placed in default. Once in default, a late penalty of $25.00 is accessed, the vehicle becomes subject to impoundment at the registered owners expense when found on campus property; the registered owner becomes subject to action by a collection agency, and campus parking permits and/or permit applications are subject to recall or denial.

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How do I pay for a Parking Citation?

Payments are received in the Parking Enforcement Office. Please make your check or money order payable to: University of Washington. To insure proper credit please write the citation number and/or vehicle license number on the check or money order, and include the Parking Citation notice with the payment. Please do not send cash through the mail.

*PLEASE NOTE: The Parking Enforcement Office has moved to 3901 University Ave. Payments can be mailed or delivereed in person to the new location. see map

Commuter Services
Parking Enforcement
Box 351107
3901 University Way
Seattle, WA 98105-6613

  • If mailed, the postmark date is used as the date a payment is recorded by Parking Enforcement.
  • In person payments are accepted during Parking Enforcement Office business hours of 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday. The office is closed Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays.
  • Credit Card payments (Visa, MasterCard) are also accepted at the Enforcement Office but must be made in person, no phone-in payments please.

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How do I contest the issuance of a Parking Citation?

Parking Citations are contested through written Parking Citation Petitions or in-person hearings. Completed Petitions must be received in the Parking Enforcement Office and in-person hearings scheduled for a hearing date occurring within the 20 day response period:

  • Petitions delivered in person must be submitted during regular Parking Enforcement Office business hours between 7:30 am and 5:00 pm Monday through Friday. The office is closed Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays.
  • Petitions sent through US Mail or by Fax transmission (206) 616-9456, must be respectively postmarked or received in the Enforcement Office no later than 11:59 pm of the 20th day.
  • Only signed forms (by mail or hand delivery) or signed Fax transmission copies are accepted. E-mail submissions are not accepted as a signature is required on the valid petition.
  • Requests for in-person hearings must be made through the Citation Hearing Office by calling 206-543-3205 or visiting the office during business hours. In-person hearings are scheduled upon availability.

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How do I receive a Parking Citation Petition Form?

  • Forms can be picked up in the Parking Enforcement Office during business hours
  • By calling Parking Enforcement at 206-543-9008 and requesting a form be mailed to you (staff will ask you for your current address)
  • By downloading a PDF form online. It is a write-only form that must be printed and cannot be electronically saved. Additional pages can be attached if you need more space. Click here for the form.

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If I want to appeal, and have requested a petition form to be mailed to me, is my deadline to respond extended?

  • No. It is still your responsibility to respond by the 20th day from citation issuance. The form is also available online by clicking here if you wish to have a form sooner or are close to the deadline. If you have requested an appeal form and have not received it within a week of your request, please contact the Parking Enforcement Office at 206-543-9008.

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What if there were extenuating circumstances that made it difficult or impossible for me to submit my petition on time?

  • There is a 21 day application period after the Response Date has passed which you can submit a "Good Cause" statement along with your petition to apply for late acceptance. A Hearing Officer will review your Good Cause statement and determine whether the late petition is accepted. Late Petitions which have been denied will receive a written notification.

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How do I find out the status of my petition if I responded on time?

  • Please call the Parking Enforcement office (206-543-9008) for the status of your Petition. Once received, a petition is entered into our data base and then processed through the Citation Hearing Office.

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Helpful Hints if you choose to Contest a Parking Citation

  • The most efficient and time saving way to contest a parking citation is to fill out a Parking Citation Petition form. Submit the completed form before the Response Date (20 days from the citation issuance) to avoid a $25 late penalty.
  • Please explain your basis for appeal with as much detail as possible.
  • Please include with your petition any originals of documents or evidence such as Parking Permits, Photographs, maps, letters or drawings
  • Please keep a copy of the entire petition and any evidence for your records. Parking Enforcement uses the "postmark" or fax transmittal date/time as the received date.
  • Request in-person hearings as soon as possible after your citation date.

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I think my vehicle has been impounded, how do I verify this?

Please contact the UW Police Department at 206-543-9331 and/or Parking Enforcement at 206-543-9008 (7:30 am - 5:00 pm) to verify if your vehicle has been towed.

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What are the reasons my vehicle can be impounded?

A vehicle found on University of Washington property can be impounded in cases of:

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I've discovered my vehicle has been impounded, how do I get it back?

Anyone whose vehicle has been impounded for failure to pay parking fines must redeem their vehicle at the Parking Enforcement Office during normal Business Hours or at the UW Police Department after hours, weekends and holidays. Impounded vehicles are released only to the Registered Owner. If you are not the Registered Owner, you must provide the Police Department with a notarized statement from the Registered Owner authorizing you to take possession of the vehicle from the Police Department. A valid driver's license is required.

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Can I promise to pay my impound fees later with a “Promissory” Note?

No.   The extension of credit through the practice of pay agreements or promissory notes for outstanding Parking Fines and towing fees has been discontinued.   All applicable fines and towing charges must be paid prior to redemption of an impounded vehicle.

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Do I have the right to contest my vehicle's impoundment?

Yes, if your vehicle has been impounded you have the right to contest the validity of impoundment or the amount of towing and storage charges within 20 days of the impoundment.

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Can I contest the past due fines for which my vehicle was impounded?

No, the appeal period expired for these fine amounts.

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