Menu
HomeLaws & Enforcement
If a vehicle is parked on a public street, it MUST display a valid license plate:
Submit Investigation Request
The Philadelphia Parking Authority employs three levels of enforcement of parking regulations: issuing parking tickets to vehicles that violate regulations; applying the boot to vehicles that accumulate unpaid tickets; and, in certain cases, towing and impounding vehicles until outstanding fines and fees are paid.To request parking enforcement at a location in which the Philadelphia Parking Authority patrols, please contact the communications line at 215-683-9773.
Parking Tickets
PPA provides parking enforcement in Center City, University City and all neighborhood commercial areas. We also enforce all Residential Permit Parking and residential street cleaning districts.
Parking Enforcement Officers patrol during the following hours:
- 6AM to 10:30PM Monday – Wednesday
- 6AM to 12AM Thursday
- 6AM to 3AM Friday
- 6:30AM to 3AM Saturday
- 7AM to 11PM Sunday
Please Note: The Philadelphia Police Department also enforces parking violations. They patrol 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Additionally, illegally parked vehicles are still subject to ticketing outside of the above listed hours.
In order to help them enforce parking regulations appropriately, all PEOs receive extensive training in parking management principles, enforcement directives and customer service awareness. They are highly knowledgeable about all the parking violations they are asked to enforce.
Explanation of Parking Violations
Detailed explanations and fine information on each and every parking violation.
Blocking Driveway - Fine: $51.00*
You cannot park in front of any driveway, even if it is your own. This fine will be $25.00 higher in Center City and University City.
Blocking Mass Transit Vehicle - Fine: $101.00
Philadelphia has many narrow streets that make it difficult for mass transit to operate efficiently, particularly when other vehicles are parked carelessly. You will receive a ticket is issued for this violation if a Parking Enforcement Officer observes a mass transit vehicle that is unable to move as a result of your vehicle obstructing its path.
Bus Zone - Fine: $51.00*
A ticket will be issued immediately if your vehicle is observed to be parked in a marked Bus Zone. (You will not be ticketed simply for parking along a SEPTA route.) This fine will be $25.00 higher in Center City and University City.
Blocking HP Ramp- Fine: $76.00
A ticket will be issued immediately if your vehicle is observed to be parked blocking access to a curb cut ramp for people with disabilities.
Handicapped Space - Fine: $301.00
If your vehicle is parked in a Handicapped space and you are not displaying a valid, state-issued Disabled Person or Disabled Veteran plate or placard, you will receive a ticket.
On Crosswalk - Fine: $51.00*
A ticket will be issued immediately if your vehicle is observed to be parked within a marked crosswalk. The fine will be $25.00 higher in Center City and University City.
Sidewalk - Fine: $51.00 *
A ticket will be issued immediately if your vehicle is found to be blocking pedestrian access on a sidewalk. The fine will be $25.00 higher in Center City and University City.
Snow Route - Fine: $51.00
During declared snow emergencies, a ticket will be issued if your vehicle is parked in a posted Snow Emergency Route.
Taxi Stand - Fine: $31.00
If your vehicle does not have a Taxi license plate, a ticket will be issued if it is observed to be stopped or parked at a Taxi stand.
* Tickets for these violations in Center City or University City will be $25.00 higher.
Table of Violations and Fines
Parking violations and parking ticket fines are set by the Philadelphia City Council. This table lists current fines as well as the applicable sections of the Philadelphia Traffic Code. You can access the Philadelphia Code and Charter through the City’s website,www.phila.gov .
| Code Provision | Violation Description | Non Center City &University City Areas | Center City & University City |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12-901(1)(a) | Parked on Bridge, Viaduct, Tunnel Or Underpass | $26.00 | $26.00 |
| 12-901(1)(b) | Parked in Bus Stop | $51.00 | $76.00 |
| 12-901(1)(c) | Parked In School Zone | $36.00 | $36.00 |
| 12-901(1)(d) | Stop Prohibited | $51.00 | $76.00 |
| 12-901(2) | Moved Vehicle To Prohibited Area | $26.00 | $26.00 |
| 12-901(3) | Commercial Vehicle Parked In Residential Area | $101.00 | $101.00 |
| 12-902(1)(a) | Displaying Vehicle For Sale On Roadway | $301.00 | $301.00 |
| 12-902(1)(b) | Commercial Washing Or Repairing Vehicle On Roadway | $301.00 | $301.00 |
| 12-903(1) | Disobey Signs – Stopping, Standing, Parking | $51.00 | $76.00 |
| 12-903(2) | Disobey Signs – Standing, Parking | $51.00 | $76.00 |
| 12-903(3) | Disobey Signs– Standing, Parking | $26.00 | $36.00 |
| 12-903(6) | No Parking Street Cleaning | $31.00 | $31.00 |
| 12-904 | Contractor Placard Violation | $101.00 | $101.00 |
| 12-906(2) | Loading Zone | $31.00 | $51.00 |
| 12-908(1) | Bus Parked Other Than In Bus Stand | $251.00 | $251.00 |
| 12-908(2) | Improper Discharge Of Passengers From Bus | $251.00 | $251.00 |
| 12-908(3) | Bus Parked Improperly In Bus Zone | $251.00 | $251.00 |
| 12-908(4) | Taxi Parked Other Than In Taxi Stand | $36.00 | $36.00 |
| 12-909(1) | Parked In Taxi Stand | $31.00 | $31.00 |
| 12-912 | Stop/Block Highway | $51.00 | $76.00 |
| 12-913(1)(a)(i) | Double Parked | $51.00 | $76.00 |
| 12-913(1)(a)(ii) | On Sidewalk | $51.00 | $76.00 |
| 12-913(1)(a)(iii) | Stopped Within Intersection | $51.00 | $76.00 |
| 12-913(1)(a)(iv) | In Crosswalk | $51.00 | $76.00 |
| 12-913(1)(a)(v) | Stopped In Safety Zone | $51.00 | $76.00 |
| 12-913(1)(a)(vi) | Stopped Adjacent To Street Excavation | $31.00 | $31.00 |
| 12-913(1)(a)(vii) | Stopped On Railroad Tracks | $31.00 | $31.00 |
| 12-913(1)(a)(viii) | Stopped In Medial Strip In Center Of Divided Highway | $31.00 | $31.00 |
| 12-913)1)(a)(ix) | Disobey Sign -Stopping Prohibited | $51.00 | $76.00 |
| 12-913(1)(a)(x) | Parked Blocking Ramp For People With Disabilities | $76.00 | $76.00 |
| 12-913(1)(b)(I) | Blocking Driveway | $51.00 | $76.00 |
| 12-913(1)(b)(ii) | Fire Hydrant | $76.00 | $76.00 |
| 12-913(1)(b)(iii) | Too Close to Corner | $51.00 | $76.00 |
| 12-913(1)(b)(iv) | Too Close to Signals | $36.00 | $36.00 |
| 12-913(1)(b)(v) | Parked Too Close to Fire Station | $51.00 | $51.00 |
| 12-913(1)(b)(vi) | Obstructing Streetcar | $41.00 | $41.00 |
| 12-913(1)(b)(vii) | Parked On Limited Access Highway | $101.00 | $101.00 |
| 12-913(1)(b)(viii) | Disobey Signs – Prohibited Standing | $51.00 | $76.00 |
| 12-913(1)(c)(i) | Parked Within 50’ Of Railroad Crossing | $31.00 | $31.00 |
| 12-913(1)(c)(ii) | Parking Prohibited | $41.00 | $51.00 |
| 12-913(2) | Parked on Private Property | $26.00 | $26.00 |
| 12-914(1) | Parked Improper – Two Way Highway | $31.00 | $31.00 |
| 12-914(2) | Parked Improper – One Way Highway | $31.00 | $31.00 |
| 12-915 | Unattended Vehicle | $31.00 | $31.00 |
| 12-916(1) | Parked While License Suspended | $101.00 | $101.00 |
| 12-916(2) | Parked Unregistered Vehicle; Parked Without Driver’s License | $41.00 | $41.00 |
| 12-917(5) | No Parking Valet Zone | $31.00 | $31.00 |
| 12-917(6) | Overtime Valet Zone | $101.00 | $101.00 |
| 12-1002(1) | Parked In Unmetered Space | $26.00 | $36.00 |
| 12-1004(1) | Parked Improperly At Meter | $26.00 | $26.00 |
| 12-1004(2) | Improper Motorcycle Parking | $26.00 | $26.00 |
| 12-1005(1) | Expired Meter | $26.00 | $36.00 |
| 12-1006(1) | Parked Over Time Limit At Meter | $26.00 | $36.00 |
| 12-1008 | Damage Parking Meter | $301.00 | $301.00 |
| 12-113(3) | Trolley Stop | $31.00 | $31.00 |
| 12-117(3)(f) | Reserved Accessible Space | $301.00 | $301.00 |
| 12-1117(4)(b) | Parked In Space For People With Disabilities | $301.00 | $301.00 |
| 12-1120(2) | Abandoned Vehicle | $301.00 | $301.00 |
| 12-1123 | Unlawful Vehicle Alarm | $101.00 | $101.00 |
| 12-1124(1) | Parked Mobile Home | $51.00 | $51.00 |
| 12-1126 | Excessive Noise | $101.00 | $101.00 |
| 12-1127 | Excessive Idling of Motor Vehicles | $101.00 | $101.00 |
| 12-1128 | Owner Identification On Commercial Vehicle | $301.00 | $301.00 |
| 12-1402(3) | Illegally Placed Ticket | $51.00 | $51.00 |
| 12-1604 | Parked on Grass | $101.00 | $101.00 |
| 12-1604(2) | Parental Liability | $101.00 | $101.00 |
| 12-2502(4)(a) | Parking Snow Route | $51.00 | $51.00 |
Vehicle Towing and Impoundment
PPA tows illegally parked vehicles from designated Tow Zones in order to improve traffic flow and eliminate hazardous conditions. Towed vehicles are taken to one of PPA’s Impoundment Lots, see below.
I think my car was towed. What should I do?
Click here to locate an impounded vehicle or call us at 888-591-3636. If your car has been towed or impounded by the Philadelphia Parking Authority, we will be able to tell you where your vehicle was taken, and what to do to reclaim it.
My car was towed/impounded. How do I get it back?
In order to reclaim a towed or impounded vehicle, you must pay for all outstanding tickets as well as tow and storage fees. Payment must be made online at https://onlineserviceshub.com/ParkingPortal/Philadelphia or in person at one of the following locations:
Parking Violations Branch
913 Filbert Street
8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. weekdays
9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Saturday
Parking Authority Impoundment Lot 1
2501 Weccacoe Avenue
(near Columbus Boulevard and Oregon Avenue)
215 683-9550
Monday – Sunday 8am-9:30pm
If it is not at the Weccacoe Avenue Impoundment Lot, it will be at one of our other lots:
Lot 2
2535 Swanson Street
215-683-9563
Monday-Sunday 10am-6pm
Lot 6
4701 Bath Street
215 683-9510
Monday-Sunday 10am -6pm
Lot 7
6801 Essington Avenue
215 683-9880
Monday-Sunday 10am -6pm
Please note that you must present the following to the staff at the Impoundment Lot before your vehicle will be returned to you:
Your valid driver’s license
Current vehicle registration
Proof of current insurance for the vehicle
Cashier’s receipt(s) along with the accompanying BAA/PVB Release Authorization for payment and/or adjudication of the tow and storage charges
Release authorization from the Philadelphia Traffic Court (only applies to vehicles impounded through Live Stop)
My car was booted. Why did you tow it?
Booted vehicles may be towed for several reasons such as obstructing the rush hour traffic, or concern that damage might be done to the vehicle. The $175 tow fee does not apply until 72 hours after the vehicle has been booted.
Why did I receive a ticket after the boot was released?
Vehicle must be removed within two hours of the boot release, especially if the booted vehicle obstructs traffic.
Vehicles are not released until the driver presents certification of proper registration, insurance and driver’s license. You must also pay the total amount due, including all outstanding tickets, fees, fines and penalties, before you can take possession of your vehicle. Vehicles impounded through the Live Stop program must also satisfy all outstanding tickets at the Philadelphia Municipal Court Traffic Division. Vehicles that are not claimed within 21 days are sold at public auction.
Fees are detailed in the table below.
Towing and Impoundment Fee Table
| Description | Fee Amount |
|---|---|
| Vehicles under 11,000 pounds – Straight tows | Boot Fee – $150.00 |
| Tow Fee – $175.00 | |
| Storage Fee: $25.00 plus 25% tax for every 24 hours | |
| Vehicles under 11,000 pounds – Live Stops | Tow Fee – $210.00 |
| Storage Fee: $25.00 plus 25% tax for every 24 hours | |
| Vehicles over 11,000 pounds to 17,000 pounds – Straight tows | Boot Fee – $150.00 |
| Tow Fee – $250.00 | |
| Storage Fee: $40.00 for each 24 hours plus 25% tax. | |
| Vehicles over 11,000 pounds to 17,000 pounds – Live Stop | Tow Fee – $285.00 |
| Storage Fee: $40.00 for each 24 hours plus 25% tax. | |
| Vehicles over 17,000 pounds – Straight tows | Boot Fee – $150.00 |
| Tow Fee – $360.00 | |
| Storage Fee: $75.00 for each 24 hours plus 25% tax. | |
| Vehicles over 17,000 pounds – Live stops | Tow Fee – $395.00 |
| Storage Fee: $75.00 for each 24 hours plus 25% tax. | |
The Boot
Vehicles with three (3) or more unpaid parking or red light tickets are eligible to be booted after their owners receive a series of notices. Boot crews patrol all public roadways and PPA managed properties in Philadelphia. Please note: if your vehicle is booted, you must pay the total amount due, including all fees, fines and penalties, before the boot can be removed. This will include a $150 boot fee.
