An Arlington parking ticket usually costs $50, though expired meters run $35 and parking in a disabled space jumps to $500. You can pay online, by phone, by mail, or in person at the Treasurer’s Office, and you have 30 days from the issue date to contest the citation if you believe it was wrongly written.
How Much Is the Fine
Arlington County Code § 14.2-7.1 sets the fine for each type of nonmoving violation. The common ones:
- Expired meter: $35
- Parking in a restricted zone: $50
- Residential permit zone without a valid permit: $50
- Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant: $50
- Within 20 feet of a corner: $50
- Double parking: $50
- Parking in a fire lane: $50
- Blocking a driveway or obstructing traffic: $50
- Parking on private property without consent: $50
- Commercial vehicle in a residential zone: $50
- Parking on a weather emergency street: $60
- Parking in a space reserved for disabled persons: $500
Any nonmoving violation not specifically listed elsewhere in the code defaults to $50.1Arlington County. Arlington County Code Chapter 14.2 – Motor Vehicles and Traffic
How to Pay
You’ll need the 10-digit citation number printed at the top of the ticket. Arlington offers four payment methods.2Arlington County Virginia Government. Parking Ticket Payments
- Online, through the county’s payment portal, by credit card or e-check. You can also look up the citation and view details before paying.
- By phone, at 888-272-9829, any time, by credit card.
- By mail, with a check or money order payable to the Arlington County Treasurer, sent with the citation slip to the Treasurer’s Office.
- In person, at the Treasurer’s Office, 2100 Clarendon Blvd., Suite 201, Arlington, VA 22201, by cash or card.
Keep your confirmation number or receipt. That’s your proof the fine has been paid if a balance resurfaces later.
How to Contest the Ticket
If you think the citation was issued in error, you have 30 days from the date of issuance to act. Arlington County Code § 14.2-95 sets that deadline for contesting in court.3Arlington County Virginia Government. Parking Ticket Appeals
Hearing in General District Court
After you file your intent to contest, you’ll be given a court date in the Arlington General District Court, where a judge reviews the evidence and decides whether the fine stands. Hearings are often scheduled several months after the citation. Electronics aren’t allowed in the courtroom.
Compliance Dismissal
If the ticket was for an expired or missing state inspection sticker, or for expired vehicle registration, you can usually get it dismissed by fixing the problem. Bring your photo ID, proof of compliance, and the citation to the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office in person within 30 days. The charge is dismissed with no fine if you qualify. This option isn’t available if the violation had existed for more than 90 days when the ticket was written.3Arlington County Virginia Government. Parking Ticket Appeals
Administrative Review
The county offers an administrative review for certain tickets, submitted through the online citation system. If the review is denied, you can still request a formal hearing in Arlington General District Court.4Arlington County Virginia Government. Parking Ticket FAQs
What Happens If You Ignore It
An unpaid Arlington parking ticket doesn’t just sit there quietly. The costs and consequences escalate.
Registration Holds
Virginia law names Arlington County as one of the localities authorized to block vehicle registration over unpaid parking fines. Under Virginia Code § 46.2-752, the county can refuse to issue a local vehicle license until all parking fines owed to the jurisdiction are paid. The county treasurer can also enter an agreement with the DMV Commissioner to refuse state registration renewal for the specific vehicle that incurred the violations. Rental car companies are exempt.5Virginia Code Commission. Virginia Code Title 46.2 Chapter 6 Article 11 – State and Local Motor Vehicle Registration
Booting and Towing
Virginia Code § 46.2-1216 lets localities immobilize or tow any vehicle with three or more outstanding unpaid parking violations.6Virginia Code Commission. Virginia Code Title 46.2 Chapter 12 – Abandoned, Immobilized, and Trespassing Vehicles Arlington has adopted that authority through County Code § 14.2-3.3.1Arlington County. Arlington County Code Chapter 14.2 – Motor Vehicles and Traffic Once your car is booted or towed, you owe the original fines plus removal or towing and storage fees before you can get the vehicle back.
Collections and Credit
Parking tickets are nonmoving violations, so they don’t appear on your driving record and generally won’t raise your auto insurance premiums. If an unpaid fine is sent to a collection agency, though, that collection account can show up on your credit report.
Snow Emergency Streets
Arlington designates certain streets as weather emergency routes where parking is prohibited during a declared snow emergency. Violating that restriction carries a $60 fine, and your vehicle may be towed to clear the road for plows and emergency vehicles.1Arlington County. Arlington County Code Chapter 14.2 – Motor Vehicles and Traffic The county announces snow emergencies through its website and alert systems.