CALIFORNIA – A new law that went into effect January 1 allows drivers who can prove an inability to pay to have a parking ticket waived or reduced.

Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D-Culver City), the bill’s author, said parking tickets can create significant financial strain for people with low incomes and may escalate from an initial $52 fine to a vehicle registration hold.

“For situations where a parking ticket can push an individual from poverty to financial crisis, local jurisdictions should have the ability to do what is best for their constituent,” Bryan said.

The change comes under Assembly Bill 1299, which expands when and how local governments may offer relief to drivers who cannot afford parking fines.

The law applies to drivers who can show financial hardship, including low income, homelessness, or other extenuating circumstances that affect their ability to pay. Proof requirements and approval remain at the discretion of the issuing agency.

Permanent loss of transportation

According to a 2019 report, vehicles towed for unpaid parking tickets are several times more likely to be sold at lien sale than the average towed vehicle, often resulting in permanent loss of transportation.

The law does not automatically cancel parking tickets and does not require cities or counties to grant waivers. Instead, it gives local agencies broader authority to offer relief on a case-by-case basis.

The bill also removes the previous 120-day deadline to request a payment plan, allowing drivers to apply at any time.

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