Why is there an extra charge on your Sacramento parking ticket? We break down the cost
.JPG "A parking enforcement officer issues a warning for a car parked on 24th Street in midtown Sacramento in 2020.")
Parking fines in Sacramento are roughly $40 to $50, depending on the violation. But other charges that get tacked onto the ticket often make paying for a parking ticket in the state more expensive.
In California, drivers have to pay a state charge of $12.50 in addition to the local fine for a parking violation.
This parking ticket surcharge went into effect in 2008 and goes directly toward the state of California, according to the City of Sacramento website. The surcharge represents an accumulation of funds for various state services like the courthouse and other criminal justice facilities.
The state also imposes a 20% charge on traffic ticket violations. Originally instituted as a temporary measure in 2002 to help close the state’s $24 billion budget deficit, the surcharge remains in place after lawmakers voted to make the measure permanent.
In 2020, Assemblyman Adam Gray (D-Merced) put forth a bill to eliminate the surcharge on traffic tickets. But the legislation did not move forward.
How to pay for your parking ticket
Payments are due within 21 days of receiving the ticket. Be sure to have your citation number and credit or debit card handy.
You can pay for your city citation and county citation online.
To pay by phone, you can call 1-888-266-1314.
If you prefer to send a check or money order to pay for your ticket, you can mail it to the City of Sacramento Revenue Services at P.O. Box 2551, Sacramento, CA 95812-2551.
Paying in-person is still not an option.
This story was originally published April 20, 2022 at 8:24 AM.