Contest a Ticket
All dispute forms MUST be postmarked within 15 calendar days of the ticket issue date.
Consider the following questions before determining to contest a parking ticket:
- Did I enter the wrong license plate number when paying to park?
- Was I unsure of the law before choosing to park in the spot?
- Did I not see the signs in the area?
- Did I park in a handicap space when I do not have a handicap placard/license plate?
- Was I improperly parked in the handicapped space, striped access area, over the line, or taking up more than one space?
- Was my placard expired at the time of the citation?
- Was I using someone else's handicap placard?
- Did I forget to place my Vehicle registration Decal on my license plate?
Answering "yes" to any of these questions does not invalidate a parking citation. You must present your defense to the court system. Violations are photographed at the time the citation is issued.
Once Citations are Issued, the City Cannot Excuse Valid Tickets
All citation disputes must go through the court system's appeals process. You can submit your dispute online by clicking the link below. Please be sure to attach any necessary documents with your dispute.
Contest a Citation: Plea of Not Guilty & Request a Hearing
All disputes MUST be submitted within 15 calendar days of the ticket issue date. The Plea of Not Guilty is for residents of Pinellas County only.
To request a hearing, fill out this
form(PDF, 159KB) and attach with your dispute in the portal.
Affidavit of Defense: For Those Outside of Pinellas County or with Physical Hardships
All disputes must be submitted within 15 calendar days of the ticket issue date. The Affidavit of Defense is for alleged offenders who reside outside of Pinellas County OR those that are unable to appear at a hearing in person. This form must be notarized.
To request a hearing, fill out this
form(PDF, 159KB) and attach with your dispute in the portal. Additional documents can be attached with your Affidavit of Defense that you feel are relevant to your case.
This option is available only for alleged offenders who reside outside of Pinellas County OR to those with physical hardships. Fill out this form(DOCX, 32KB) .
Transfer of Liability: If Person Other than Registered Owner is Disputing Citation
A Transfer of Liability must be submitted if you are requesting a hearing and are NOT the registered owner of the vehicle. The court will not schedule a hearing without this form.
Court Hearings
Court hearings for contested parking citations are heard at the Pinellas County Government Center, 14250 49th Street N. in Clearwater, Fla. Once your court date has been scheduled, any questions regarding your “Not Guilty” plea or the scheduled hearing must be directed to the Pinellas County Clerk of the Court by calling (727) 464-7000. If you have scheduled a court date but choose to pay your ticket before the scheduled date, you must call the parking citation office at (727) 562-4094 to cancel, or you will be subject to additional fines.
Unless the judge has granted an extension to pay the fine and/or court costs, all fines imposed must be paid within 25 days of the court date, or late fees will be added. The court does not accept city of Clearwater parking citation payments.
Still Need Help?
If you still have parking ticket questions or concerns, contact our Parking Division using the Clearwater Connect online application. You also can call the Parking System Hotline at (727) 562-4094 for general parking information.