San Francisco Department of Sidewalk Parking: How much is a sidewalk parking ticket?

According to Article 300 of the San Francisco Municipal Code, it currently is at $100, making it one of the more expensive parking tickets you can get in the city.

What you can do

Report sidewalk parking at the DPT Dispatch number:

415-553-1200

In most cases, they will come and ticket all cars parked on the sidewalk on the entire block. The tickets will say that they are due to a complaint, but they will NOT identify you in any way. It is our Department's position that it's best to not confront people about their sidewalk parking before you call the DPT, because they might figure out it was you who called and be misguided enough to retaliate against your person or property.

The SFDSP also recommends that you not feel bad for calling the DPT on your fellow residents. It is they who are breaking the law and imposing their will on the rest of the neighborhood, by endangering others, and by degrading the looks and value of the public realm for their own short-term gain. The sidewalks are public space and it is illegal to park on any portion of it. The tickets are well deserved and also mean revenue for the city. If you don't complain to the authorities, if you don't make it known that you don't want cars on the sidewalks, nothing will ever change. In DPT spokesperson Maggie Lynch's own words:

"If there's a problem on your street, draw our attention to it. Let us know."

We also encourage you to send emails to the Mayor and the Board of Supervisors. The more political pressure there is in favor of a crack down on sidewalk parking, the higher the chances of things actually changing.

What the law says

California Vehicle Code Section 22500:

No person shall stop, park, or leave standing any vehicle whether attended or unattended, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the directions of a peace officer or official traffic control device, in any of the following places:

[...]

(f) On any portion of a sidewalk, or with the body of the vehicle extending over any portion of a sidewalk, except electric carts when authorized by local ordinance, as specified in Section 21114.5. Lights, mirrors, or devices that are required to be mounted upon a vehicle under this code may extend from the body of the vehicle over the sidewalk to a distance of not more than 10 inches.

San Francisco Department of Sidewalk Parking

January 9, 2010

How much is a sidewalk parking ticket?

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