Parking enforcement starts again on 10/15; LADOT announces new economic relief & amnesty programs for parking-related fees/fines

Beginning October 15, 2020, the LA Department of Transportation (LADOT) will RESUME parking enforcement and impounding, where applicable, for the following categories:

Residential street sweeping

Expired registration on a vehicle

Overnight/Oversize parking districts

Peak/rush hour and gridlock zone parking restrictions

Ticket/tow for abandoned vehicles (72 hour rule)

Vehicles displaying recently expired permits within preferential parking districts

LADOT will DELAY impounding vehicles used for dwelling pending a report back to Council in 30-60 days. Additionally, LADOT will DELAY the booting and impounding of scofflaw vehicles until January 1, 2021.

Enforcement has been and remains ONGOING for all the following categories:

Relaxation of these restrictions was originally slated to end October 1, but the LA City Council voted on September 30 to push resuming enforcement back to October 15, to allow time for outreach to be conducted, notifying the public of the change.

Impounding of vehicles in which there is vehicle dwelling will meanwhile be delayed for 30-60 days, per the City Council, to allow time for development of a next steps plan.

Economic Relief Program for parking-related fees & fines

The City of Los Angeles offers several programs to assist low-income individuals and individuals experiencing homelessness with outstanding parking citation debt as well as relief programs to allow for citation amnesty.

With the exception of Early Pay LA – which launches November 2 – all of LADOT’s economic relief programs listed below are already currently operating:

Early Pay LA Program

Early Pay LA – which is scheduled to begin November 2, 2020 – will award a $20 discount for parking citations paid within 48 hours, at the directive of Mayor Garcetti.

Community Assistance Parking Program (CAPP)

LADOT offers the CAPP for individuals experiencing homelessness that allows them to pay their parking citations through volunteer community service or through enrollment in a homeless service program. As of June 30, 2020, LADOT assisted 1,070 participants to complete 14,238 community service hours for a total of $559,783 worth of citations converted to community service. Learn more about the Community Assistance Parking Program here:

Low-Income Installment Payment Plans

LADOT worked with the State Legislature to shape bills that created or modified payment plans for the indigent and eligible low income motorists. Depending on the existing payment plan, the City may waive all late fees for eligible motorists and allow up to 18 months to pay off the base citation fines. More info about Low-Income Installment Payment Plans can be found at: https://prodpci.etimspayments.com/pbw/include/laopm/ticket_ipp.htm

Citation Amnesty Program

The Citation Amnesty Program grants a one-time opportunity for those with citations over three years old the chance to have all late fees waived and pay the base citation amount(s) over a period of time thereby clearing DMV holds, tax intercepts, and/or tow orders. Learn more about the Citation Amnesty Program here (scroll down – #1 on the COVID-19 Payment Relief Programs list): https://www.ladotparking.org/adjudication-division/pay-a-citation/

Unemployment Citation Amnesty Program

Those who have lost their job during the pandemic may have late fees waived and pay only the base citation amount over a period of time. Learn more about the Unemployment Citation Amnesty program here (scroll down – #2 on the COVID-19 Payment Relief Programs list):

City Council files on parking enforcement during the pandemic