City of Costa Mesa
Home MenuParking Enforcement
What is the Law?
Parking control officers are tasked with enforcing Costa Mesa Municipal Code and California Vehicle Code laws. Parking control officers drive white pick-up trucks typically equipped with amber-colored overhead rotor lights. They wear uniforms issued by the Costa Mesa Police Department. When a parking violation is seen, a parking control officer issues a citation, which is typically placed on the windshield of the vehicle. Some common Costa Mesa Municipal Code and California Vehicle Code parking violations are:
Click here for ordinance handout.
|
Costa Mesa Municipal Code (CMMC) Sections |
|
|---|---|
|
10-184(c) |
Posted "No Parking Anytime" |
| 10-184(d) | Posted "No Parking," "Street Sweeping," or "Restricted Parking" |
| 10-185(d) | Using street for storage: No parking RV, over-sized vehicle, campers or unattached trailers |
| 10-185(b) | Parking in excess of 72 hours |
| 10-185(e) | Commercial vehicle parked off truck route |
| 10-185(f) | Commercial vehicle parked overnight |
| 10-185(g) | Commercial vehicle parked over 3 hours |
| 10-186 | Advertising sale or event |
| 10-208(a) | One-hour parking |
| 10-209(a) | Two-hour parking |
| 10-212(b) | Vehicle not within single parking space |
| 10-215 | Posted "No Parking" |
| 10-221 | Special permit parking |
| 10-226(d) | Red/yellow/white curb |
| 10-230 | Parking in alley |
| California Vehicle Code (CVC) Sections |
|
|---|---|
| 4000(a) | Expired registration |
| 5200 | No front or rear license plate |
| 5204(a) | No current registration tabs |
| 22500(a) | Parking in intersection |
| 22500(b) | Parked blocking crosswalk |
| 22500(e) | Parked blocking driveway |
| 22500(f) | Parked blocking sidewalk |
| 22500(g) | Parked blocking traffic |
| 22500(h) | Double parked |
| 22500(i) | Parked blocking wheelchair access |
| 22500.1 | Parked in a designated fire lane |
| 22502(a) | Parked in excess of 18 inches from curb |
| 22507.8(a) | Parked in a handicapped parking stall |
| 22507.8(b) | Blocking a handicapped parking stall |
| 22507.8(c) | Blocking handicapped access |
| 22514 | Parked within 15 feet or adjacent to a fire hydrant |
Information on Your Parking Citation and/or How to Pay Parking Tickets Online:
www.citationprocessingcenter.com
To pay by any major credit card, debit card, or by check, call:
(800) 989-2058
Online hotline: (714) 754-5290
Or
Mail Parking Ticket Payments to:
City of Costa Mesa
c/o Citation Processing Center
P.O. Box 10479
Newport Beach, CA 92658-0479
* The Costa Mesa Police Department does not accept payments at the front desk.
Payment Plans
Beginning July 1, 2018, the City of Costa Mesa will offer Payment Plans to Indigent Registered Owner(s)/Lessee(s) with unpaid parking citations issued on or after July 1, 2018 for amounts of $300.00 or less.
If you wish to apply for an Indigent Payment Plan, you must request the application within 60 calendar days of issuance of the citation, or within 10 days of Administrative Hearing determination, whichever is later.
An Indigent Payment Plan provides the option to pay your parking citation in up to $25.00 monthly increments, and shall be paid off within 18 months of the Payment Plan approval date. Upon approval, a non-refundable Payment Plan fee of $5.00 will be assessed to the total Payment Plan amount and all late fees and penalties shall be waived. Waived late fees and penalties may be reinstated if the person falls out of compliance with the Payment Plan.
The Registered Owner/Lessee must demonstrate that he or she is indigent by providing either of the following information as applicable:
(A) Proof of income from (3) most recent pay stubs that show the individual meets the income criteria set forth in subdivision (b) of Section 68632 of the Government Code.
(B) Proof of receipt of benefits under the programs described in subdivision (a) Section 68632 of the Government Code. Proof of receipt will consist of a copy of the most recent: Verification of Benefits Form or Award Letter for Social Security.
(C) If the Registered Owner(s)/Lessee(s) does not have income or receives public assistance, a copy of their annual earnings from the Social Security Department is required.
Request a Payment Plan
- To request a Payment Plan, please read and sign the Payment Plan Terms and Conditions (available from www.citationprocessingcenter.com and/or the front desk of the Costa Mesa Police Department) and submit with a signed Request for Indigent Payment Plan & Payment Plan Terms and Conditions Application (available from www.citationprocessingcenter.com and/or the front desk of the Costa Mesa Police Department) by mail or in-person.
By Mail:
City of Costa Mesa
c/o Citation Processing Center
Parking Citations
P.O. Box 10479
Newport Beach, CA 96258-0479
In Person:
Costa Mesa Police Department
Front Desk
99 Fair Dr.
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
For further information on Indigent Payment Plans, please call (714) 754-5280.
Parking Citation Hearings
Parking citations must be contested within 21 calendar days of the issuance of the parking violation or 14 calendar days from the mailing of a "Notice of Delinquent Parking Violation." No exceptions or requests may be made after this time. All will be automatically denied pursuant to California Vehicle Code Section 40215(a).
Step 1: Administrative Review
To contest a parking citation please utilize the Data Ticket website at www.citationprocessingcenter.com. Using this website you can provide a written statement and attach photographs if you wish. If you do not have computer access or would prefer to provide a hand written statement, you can obtain an Administrative Review Form at the front desk of the Costa Mesa Police Department. After the review is complete, a notice will be sent through the mail informing you of that decision. If you are dissatisfied with the findings of the administrative review, please proceed to STEP 2.
Step 2: Administrative Hearing
A request for an administrative hearing must made be no later than 21 calendar days after the results of the administrative review are mailed to you. The total amount due on the citation must be submitted with the written “Administrative Hearing Request” unless an indigent form is filed and accepted proving inability to pay. Prepayment of these fines can only be waived if the citizen provides verifiable and substantial written proof of inability to deposit the full amount due. All requests must be approved by the Traffic Safety Bureau sergeant or the bureau commander. You may send your request by mail or it can be submitted and paid online through Citation Processing Center.
You may select one of the following procedures for the administrative hearing:
- An in-person hearing with the hearing officer
- A hearing appointment with the hearing officer on a toll-free telephone line
- A written hearing by the hearing officer
The hearing will be scheduled and you will be notified if you requested an in-person or phone appointment hearing by mail. Following the hearing, you will be notified in writing of the results and the decision, either “Citation Upheld” or “Citation Dismissed.” If the citation is upheld, information for further appeal will be attached with the decision and you can proceed to Step 3. If the citation is dismissed, a refund request will be generated for a city refund of the total amount paid for the dismissed citation.
Step 3: Judicial Review
The hearing examiner's decision is final for the administrative adjudication process. You do, however, have the right to judicial review at the municipal court. To exercise this right, a request for review must be filed at the Harbor Justice Center, Civil Division; 4601 Campus Drive, Newport Beach within 30 calendar days after the final decision from Step 2 is mailed or personally delivered to you. If the court rules in favor of the contestant, the city must refund the filing fee in addition to any and all fines collected for the dismissed violations. If you are found liable for the violation, all deposited fees will be retained by the court.