Parking Tickets (pay a ticket/appeal a ticket/frequently asked questions)
Parking Tickets - 5 options
- Pay online
- Pay by mail (check or money order): make a check or money order payable to City Treasurer and mail to PO Box 20, Madison, Wisconsin 53701-0020 (write the citation number in the memo area of the check). No cash is accepted via mail.
- Pay in-person at our downtown Madison Police Department building located at 210 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd and follow the signs to the ground floor, Room GR-10. Open Monday-Friday 8am-4pm. Accepted forms of payment: cash, money order, check, Visa or Mastercard.
- Consent the parking ticket: call 608-266-4170 to request a court date to consent a parking ticket.
- Request a review of your parking ticket: If you think a parking ticket was issued in error, you need to set-up a court date with Court Services to be seen in Municipal Court. If you would like to have your ticket reviewed for error, then fill out the Parking Ticket Review Form. You must submit this form ten (10) days from the date the ticket was issued and provide an explanation of why you believe the ticket was issued in error. Parking tickets will only be dismissed, if the Madison Police Department determines that the ticket has been issued in error.
Late Fees: Failure to pay within 10 days of issue date will result in additional forfeitures. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation will suspend your vehicle registration and refuse renewal of any of your vehicles if you fail to pay or contest this ticket within 38 days from issue date. Vehicles illegally parked, having unpaid tickets, may be towed. To avoid costly towing and storage fees, pay tickets promptly or contest the ticket in one of the ways described above to avoid additional forfeitures or registration suspension.
Parking tickets will not be dismissed for the following reasons:
- I was just there for a short time
- Lack of legal parking space
- Lack of convenient parking space
- Time constraints ("only a minute late")
- Lack of funds ("no change")
- No one else got a ticket
- Didn't see the sign
- Parked in same area and never received ticket before
- Ignorance of City of Madison Parking Regulations
- If your vehicle was unattended, it was parked
- I didn't intend to do it
The fine is too much
Parking on Private Property
The Madison Police Department may only ticket vehicles on private property on complaint of the property owner/manager. If the property owner/manager had given you permission to park there and is willing to send a letter on their letterhead requesting the withdrawal of the parking ticket, the Property Owner/ Manager may submit a letter on their letterhead to request the ticket be withdrawn.
If the parking ticket is withdrawn no late fees will accumulate. If the property owner/manager is unwilling to submit a request for review and you wish to contest the parking ticket further you may call (608) 266-4170 and request a court date.
Report an abandoned vehicle on private property.
Check if you have any parking ticket balances here: City of Madison Parking Tickets
If you received a parking ticket on a vehicle that you sold see more information here on what to do next: Sold Vehicle Form
Frequently Asked Parking Questions
Q. Many parking meters note that they aren't enforced on "City Holidays." What are the "City Holidays?"
A: City holidays are as follows: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday (the third Monday in January), Memorial Day (the last Monday in May), Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. It is important to note that there are more holidays that are classified as Federal Holidays (i.e. President's Day, Veteran's Day) that are NOT city holidays. Parking meters ARE enforced on these days!
Q: Why did I receive an alternate side parking ticket last night when it didn't even snow?
A: The purpose of this regulation is to allow access by plows when it does snow. Tickets are issued consistently throughout the winter to ensure compliance on those nights when it is needed for snow clearing. For more information on snow regulations, call (608) 261-9111 or go to: City of Madison Winter.
Q: Some streets around my child's school are posted "no stopping, standing, or parking." Can't I just stop for a moment to drop off my child?
A: Streets around schools are becoming increasingly congested as less children walk to school. Parking regulations are designed to provide a safe environment. A "no parking" sign allows for drop off from an attended vehicle. No Stopping, Standing or Parking means just that, but safe alternatives are available.
Q: I have a disabled parking permit. What are my requirements when I park at a meter?
A: Individuals with disabled permits are exempt from depositing fees in those meters that are at least 30 minutes in duration.
Q: I recently received a street storage warning for my vehicle which was parked right in front of my house. What am I required to do and why?
A: Vehicles can not be left continuously standing on a street for more than 48 hours. This is typically enforced on a complaint, or when it becomes an obvious violation due to multiple meter/hour tickets or accumulated snow. This regulation facilitates street cleaning, snow removal, and identification of abandoned vehicles.
Q: Can I return to a meter and put in additional coins to extend my allowed parking time?
A: You are limited to the total parking time listed on the meter. Shorter meters are designed for turnover of parking spaces to increase access in high demand areas, for example near a Post Office branch.
Q: How do I obtain a residential parking permit?
A: Permits can be obtained from the
Madison Department of Transportation
215 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Suite 109
Hours: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm
Go to the City of Madison Parking Utility for specific information about cost, identification necessary, and other requirements.
Q: What is the parking restriction at a Metro bus stop?
A: Stopping, standing or parking of vehicles in a bus stop is restricted between the bus stop sign and nearest intersection - or between the bus stop sign and another no parking sign in the middle of a block. If passengers can not safely board or exit a bus because of a vehicle blocking a bus stop, the vehicle may be towed.