Fines, Impound, and Appeals

Fines

The following fines escalate in fee if the initial fine is not paid within 30 days.

Parking in Commercial Loading Zone = $25.00
Parking in Prohibited Zone = $15.00

Expired Meter Fines
As of July 1, 2009, the City of Iowa City changed the ordinance regarding expired meter violations. Instead of a flat rate system, a tiered system has been introduced that increases the dollar value of fines as the number of violations increases for an individual vehicle. This applies only to expired meter violations.

1st Offense - Warning
2nd Offense -    $5.00
3rd Offense -   $10.00
4th Offense -   $10.00
5th Offense -   $15.00
6th Offense -   $15.00
7th Offense -   $20.00
8th Offense -   $20.00
9th+ Offense - $25.00

Every July 1 and January 1, all historical records will be purged and every customer will start again with a warning if they receive an expired meter citation after those dates. Accrued fines will remain outstanding until paid. Please contact the Transportation Services department for more information.

Parking Fine Payment Options

• Mail in
• Drive-up payment drop box on east side of City Hall (410 E. Washington Street)
• City Hall Cashier (410 E. Washington Street)
• Parking Office, 300 Iowa Avenue
• Online Lookup and Payment

Cash is accepted only if paying in person. Use checks if paying through mail or drop box. Mastercard/Visa accepted also at City Hall Cashier and Parking Office.

Vehicle Impound

If $50 or more in parking fines accumulate on one vehicle and it has been at least 10 days since the last citation was issued, the vehicle is added to an impound list. Once on the list the vehicle is subject to tow and impoundment. To release a vehicle from impoundment, all parking and tow fees must be paid by cash or credit card.

Parking Ticket Appeals

If a citizen wishes to dispute the issuance of a parking ticket, a Parking Ticket Administrative Review Form should be completed with 20 calendar days from ticket issue date. The review form is then examined by a three-member panel with a determination based on the defenses or mitigating circumstances set forth. The Panel may dismiss any parking ticket for good cause and any fines already paid towards the reviewed parking ticket shall be refunded, less any unpaid parking fines then owing by the driver or vehicle owner charged. The ticket escalation schedule is frozen upon the receipt of a appeal for that ticket. Escalation will resume if a "not dismissed" decision is reached for that ticket.

View the Parking Ticket Appeals Form

Other Parking Prohibitions

• Street Storage
  No vehicle shall be parked at the same location for more than 48 hours.
• Public Right-of-Way
  Parking is prohibited in the public right of way (the area of a driveway between the sidewalk and the street).
• Residential Alleys
  There is No Parking in residential alleys.
• Commercial Alleys
  In general, 15 minute limit except if vehicle is actively loading/unloading. Exceptions to this are specifically noted by special signage on alley wall.
• Commercial Vehicle Only
  Special vehicle signage is required in order to use these zones. Time limits are signed.