When a non-criminal administrative citation is issued by a City department, the cited party has the right to appeal. There are often questions about the process which are usually answered by section 1.24 of the City Municipal Code or the appeal form, but helpful information is shared below as well.

How long do I have to turn in my appeal?

From the date your citation was issued (placed in your hand, placed in the mail, or otherwise posted) you have ten (10) calendar days to submit an appeal, should you wish to do so. Your appeal must be received by the City Clerk no later than the tenth day. If that tenth day is a weekend or holiday, your last day to appeal becomes the next business day (City Muni Code section 1.20.030).  Late appeals will be rejected.

Why do I have to pay a fee to appeal?

In October 2024 the City Council, as part of the citywide fee schedule update, adopted a fee to appeal an administrative citation to a hearing officer. Prior to that fees to appeal to the Construction Board of Appeals or Administrative Review Board had existed for many years. At this time the current fees can be found in page 3 of the directions of the appeal form.

Can I pay my appeal fee online?

Not at this time. You may contact the Finance Department (by phone (805)781-7144, or email ar@slocity.org) to arrangement payment by credit card but your appeal fee cannot be paid online.

Can the appeal fee be waived?

No. The City Council adopted appeal fee cannot be waived.

What should I include in my appeal?

Everything you want the Hearing Officer or appeals board to consider. That includes statements, photos, video, etc.; any document or record of any kind that you believe supports your request for an appeal to be granted and for your citation to be revoked. If you realize later (after your initial submission) that you have further evidence to submit, you may do so as long as it is at least ten (10) calendar days prior to your appeal hearing (City Muni Code section 1.24.110(F)).

I know I violated the Municipal Code but I believe my fine is too high. Who do I ask to lower my fine?

The City Council sets fine amounts. Neither a Hearing Officer nor either of the appeal boards has the authority to reduce your fine. Their role is only to determine whether or not the violation you were cited for occurred. If you need more time to pay your fine, you may contact the City's Finance Department and arrange a payment plan. The public counter for the Finance Department is at 990 Palm Street, open Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and can be accessed in person, by phone (805)781-7144, or email ar@slocity.org.

What is a Safety Enhancement Zone and why did it increase my fine?

Please see the Respect SLO page for information on Safety Enhancement Zones and other Neighborhood Wellness questions.

Can I do community service instead of paying my fine?

Not at this time. If, in the future, the City establishes a process by which community service could be used to pay fines, information on that process will be posted here.

More Questions?

If you find you need to appeal an administrative citation and have questions that are not answered by the information above, please contact the City Attorney's Office at (805)781-7140 or by emailing city_attorney@slocity.org.