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Page last updated on March 6, 2023 at 3:01 pm

If you believe your citation was issued in error, you have the option to appeal to the Office of the City Clerk within fourteen (14) calendar days from the date the citation was issued. Please keep in mind that submitting an appeal does not guarantee a dismissal of your citation.

Requirements

To submit an appeal, you will need to provide:

  • Your full name and mailing address
  • Your telephone number and email, if available
  • Citation number and date issued
  • License plate number, including the state in which the vehicle is registered
  • Your parking permit number (if applicable)
  • Reason(s) for appeal

Appeal Tips

  • Describe the facts of the matter including: when, where, how, and/or why the incident occurred.
  • If extenuating circumstances are presented as cause for appeal, supporting documentation should be included (e.g., accident reports, auto repair bills).
  • Enclose a photograph, map or diagram of the parking space in question if you believe it will help the Office of the City Clerk understand the basis of your appeal.
  • Explain how your action did not constitute a violation by applying the parking regulation in question to the facts you have discussed.

Appeal in person at:

Office of the City Clerk
401 N. Morton St., Suite 110
Bloomington, IN 47404

The Process

When an appellant submits an appeal, the citation in question is marked to show it is on appeal. This annotation prevents the appellant from being billed before a decision is reached. It also freezes the fine for the duration of the appeals process.

When the appeal is decided, the appellant will be informed by mail or email. The decision is final, and a violation may not be re-appealed.

Appeal Guidelines

The Office of the City Clerk uses the following guidelines to reach a decision:

  • Understanding parking regulations is the responsibility of a motorized vehicle driver. Ignorance of the parking regulations is not an excuse.
  • Your past parking record may be a factor in the decision.
  • Possession of a parking permit does not guarantee a parking space.
  • Parking permits must be displayed correctly to be considered valid.
  • The registered owner of the vehicle is ultimately responsible for the citation(s), regardless of who is driving the vehicle at the time of the violation.

Two Possible Appeal Outcomes

Granted: If your appeal has been granted, the parking citation was dismissed and there will be no further action required on your part. You will, whenever possible, receive written notification of the decision.

Denied: If your appeal has been denied, this means that the Parking Enforcement Office considers you responsible for the fine and expects you to pay the entire parking violation fine by the date listed on the notification of decision letter.

Rationales for Appeal

Appeals may be granted for these reasons:

  • There is substantial evidence that you did not commit the violation for which the citation was issued; or:
  • You may have committed the violation, but circumstances were not under your control; and:
  • prior to being issued the citation, you made some demonstrable attempt to notify Parking Enforcement (such as a telephone call) of the situation; or:
  • you can produce written verification from a source who was a party to the situation establishing that the situation was so unusual it cannot reasonably occur again.
  • There may have been other extenuating circumstances that prevented you from avoiding a citation.

Weak Rationales for Appeal

Appeals may not be granted for these reasons:

  • Lack of knowledge of the regulations
  • Forgetfulness
  • Parking for "just a short period"
  • Inability to find an authorized parking space
  • Having the wrong permit for the space used
  • Failure to obtain a temporary permit
  • Failure to notice parking signs
  • Failure to properly display a parking permit
  • Disagreement with, or inability to pay, the fines