Parking and Traffic FAQs

You have two options for paying your parking citation:

• Option 1: Pay Online (Recommended)

  You can quickly pay your fine online through the official San Ramon Remit-Online Portal .

• Option 2: Pay by Mail

  Place the citation along with a check or money order in the envelope provided. Make the check payable to Citation Processing Center, and write both the citation number and your vehicle's license plate number on the check. Please note: Do not mail cash.

If you receive a parking ticket, you have 21 days from the citation date to either pay it or file a dispute. If you leave the citation unpaid and do not contest it within this 21-day window, the citation will be referred to a collection agency or to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for a registration hold.

If you have a valid reason to contest the ticket, you must submit your appeal in writing. Please note that appeals cannot be handled over the phone.

Please mail your written appeal to:

APPEALS
c/o Citation Processing Center
PO Box 22814
Denver, CO 80222

For additional information regarding the appeals process, you can call (510) 423-7275 between 7 a.m. and 2 p.m., Monday through Friday.

How you report a parking issue depends on whether the problem is ongoing or happening right now:

• Ongoing (Chronic) Problems: Please send an email to police@sanramon.ca.gov. To help us address the issue effectively, please include the specific location, times of day the violation typically occurs, and vehicle descriptions if possible.
• In-Progress (Intermittent) Problems: If a vehicle is actively blocking traffic or violating a parking rule right now, call our police dispatch center at (925) 973-2779 so an officer can respond.

If you believe your vehicle has been towed, please contact us through one of the following departments:

• Police Dispatch Center: Call (925) 973-2779 (Available 24/7)

• Records Division: Call (925) 973-2770 (Available during regular business hours)

Both departments maintain updated records of all vehicles towed by the police department. We are also routinely notified by private companies regarding private property tows and vehicle repossessions.

⚠️ If your vehicle is not found in the tow records: It is possible your car may have been stolen. If there is no record of a tow, the dispatch center will immediately arrange for a police officer to contact you so you can file a stolen vehicle report.

Under the California Vehicle Code, vehicles parked on public streets must be moved at least once every 72 hours.

Vehicles can be towed immediately if they are missing essential parts (like an engine, transmission, wheels, tires, or a windshield) that create a safety hazard, or if their registration has been expired for more than six months.

If the vehicle is not an immediate safety hazard, the process works as follows:

• Warning Period: An officer will check the vehicle and typically issue a warning notice.

• Towing Timeline: If the vehicle is not moved within 72 hours of the warning, it becomes eligible to be towed. Please note that exact removal times can vary based on active police emergencies and tow company availability.

How to Report: To report a suspected abandoned vehicle, please call our dispatch center at (925) 973-2779.

The City of San Ramon uses a preferential parking permit program in specific neighborhoods to manage neighborhood street parking.

Permit zones are clearly marked by street signs and curb markings. All vehicles parked within these designated areas must display a valid city-issued permit. The enforced days and hours vary by neighborhood and are listed on the signs for that specific area.

Please keep the following guidelines in mind:

• Enforcement: Permit rules are strictly enforced 365 days a year.

• Invalid Permits: Parking permits issued by the San Ramon Valley Unified School District or the Olympic Pool are not valid for street parking within city permit zones.

• Eligibility: You must live within the specific permit parking area to be eligible. To get your permit, please bring your current vehicle registration and a valid photo ID to the police department front counter.

To Report a Violation: If you notice a vehicle parked in a permit zone without a proper permit, please call our dispatch center at (925) 973-2779.

Yes. The San Ramon Police Department issues Guest RV Permits free of charge so your visitors can park near your residence.

To obtain a permit, please keep the following details in mind:

• Where to Apply: Permits must be requested in person at the San Ramon Police Department front counter.

• Business Hours: Regular hours are Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (excluding holidays).

• Cost: There is no charge for this service.

Yes. The San Ramon Police Department issues temporary parking permits free of charge so you can park your RV, trailer, or boat on the street while preparing for a trip.

To obtain a permit, please keep the following details in mind:

• Where to Apply: Permits must be requested in person at the San Ramon Police Department front counter.

• Business Hours: Regular hours are Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (excluding holidays).

• Cost: There is no charge for this service.

How you report a traffic issue depends on whether the problem is an ongoing neighborhood pattern or something happening right now:

• Ongoing (Chronic) Problems: Please send an email to police@sanramon.ca.gov. To help us address the issue effectively, please include the specific location, times of day the violation typically occurs, and vehicle descriptions if possible.

• In-Progress (Intermittent) Problems: If a driver is actively endangering others or violating a traffic law right now, please call our police dispatch center immediately at (925) 973-2779 while the violation is occurring.

Ticket sign-offs—commonly known as "fix-it tickets"—are handled based on your residency and the police agency that issued the citation:

• No Fee: For City of San Ramon residents.

• No Fee: For non-residents if the ticket was issued by a San Ramon Police Officer (SRPD).

• $29.00 Fee: For non-residents whose tickets were issued by an outside law enforcement agency.

To have your ticket signed off, please bring your citation or courtesy notice to the police department front counter. The vehicle associated with the violation must be parked in the department lot, as an officer will need to step outside to inspect the correction.

🕒 Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (excluding holidays).