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1. My neighbor keeps parking their car in front of my house, can they do that?

Parking on public streets is subject to the “first come, first served” rule. Any person can park their vehicle in an available public parking space. The best approach is to seek cooperation from the neighbor. In residential areas, the vehicle must be moved every 72 hours and can not block a driveway.

2. Do I have to park in the marked spaces?

The downtown business district parking is striped to designate the legal parking spaces. If you park anywhere other than a marked space, you may receive a citation. Each driver is responsible for legally parking their vehicle. Some of the more common citations involve cars using more than one parking space, parking too near an intersection creating a visual hazard, double parking, parked against traffic (wrong side of roadway), backing into spaces or blocking driveways and crosswalks.

3. I received a Fix-It Ticket, how do I clear it?

Bring your citation or court notice to the police department and ask for a ticket sign off. We are unable to sign-off correction citations involving the following violations:

• 12951(A) V.C. - No Driver’s License in possession
  
• 16028(A) V.C. - No proof of Insurance
  
• Child Seat Violations
  
• Or any violations that the issuing officer has indicated that the violation requires you to appear in court
  

4. Can I use disabled parking spaces?

The police department has a 0 tolerance approach to persons using disabled parking spaces without a valid placard. This includes the crosshatch area used for wheelchairs adjacent to the main disabled space. The minimum fine is $500. Enforcement of disabled spaces is also authorized on private property.

5. I got a ticket for parking in the disabled place, because I forgot to display my placard?

You are required to hang your placard on the rear view mirror or front dash so that it is visible by the enforcement officer (22511.55 (a) (1) California Vehicle Code). If the placard was not displayed as required, but is otherwise valid, you may bring it to the police department and pay a $25 fee for handling the dismissal of the parking citation (40226 California Vehicle Code). You may also appeal the citation in two ways

• By Internet: Go to www.CitationProcessingCenter.com and search for your citation; once you’ve found your citation, click the button to contest the citation
• By Mail: Include the citation and your correspondence in an envelope addressed to: City of Healdsburg, Citation Processing Center, PO Box 10479, Newport Beach, CA 92658-0479
• In your review request, you should explain the circumstances surrounding the issuance of the citation and why it should be dismissed, offering as much detail as possible.
• When your review request is received, the matter will be put on hold so that the fine amount will not increase.

If your placard is expired, then you may be faced with having to pay the $500 fine.

6. Can I use a loading zone?

The loading zones are marked with yellow curb and have either stenciled letters or a posted sign indicating a loading zone. These spaces are used for delivery or pick up of freight and merchandise. They can also be used to pick up or drop off passengers. The space may be used for no longer than the time necessary to accomplish the task. Our enforcement officer’s look for evidence of active loading and unloading.

You may be asked to produce a bill of lading or other evidence associated with freight pick up or delivery. Passenger pick up and drop off is limited to the time for the person to enter or exit the vehicle. The parking fine is $80.

7. Can I back into a parking space?

Backing into a parking space on a public street is prohibited by the California Vehicle Code Section 22502(a) and HCO 12.32.030 CA. This may be waived during special events pursuant to a permit issued by the city. The waiver is only for vehicles utilized by members of the special event. Contractors may apply for an encroachment permit during construction activities.

8. How do I pay for a parking citation?

There are three ways to pay a parking ticket you’ve received in the City of Healdsburg. Payments are not accepted at the Healdsburg Police Department so to pay your parking citation, you may

• Pay by Internet using the secure web payment service at CitationProcessingCenter.com
• Pay by Phone by calling the toll-free payment center at 1-800-989-2058
• Pay by Mail using a check or money order, payable to the "City of Healdsburg." Include the original citation and your payment in the pre-addressed envelope you received at the time of citation. If needed you may use your own envelope addressed to: City of Healdsburg, Citation Processing Center, PO Box 10479, Newport Beach, CA 92658-0479

9. I lost my parking citation, what do I do?

Your parking citation can be located by the license plate or citation number online: go to www.CitationProcessingCenter.com and search for your citation.

10. How do I contest/appeal a parking citation?

Disputing a Parking Ticket

• You may dispute your parking ticket in two ways
  • By Internet: Go to www.CitationProcessingCenter.comand search for your citation; once you’ve found your citation, click the button to contest the citation
  • By Mail: Include the citation and your correspondence in an envelope addressed to: City of Healdsburg, Citation Processing Center, PO Box 10479, Newport Beach, CA 92658-0479
• In your review request, you should explain the circumstances surrounding the issuance of the citation and why it should be dismissed, offering as much detail as possible
• When your review request is received, the matter will be put on hold so that the fine amount will not increase
• The case will be reviewed and determine whether or not the citation should be dismissed
• You will then be informed by mail as to the outcome of the review request.

11. What type of parking enforcement can the police department do on private property?

We can issues citations for vehicles parked in marked fire lanes, and properly designated disabled spaces. We are unable to help you with customers parking in employee parking spots or other private property rules.

12. My neighbors and I would like to have a block party and close the public street, how do I do this? Can we have a parade?

You must make an application for a special event through the police department or community services. This can take 30-60 days. The review by city staff needs to ensure that the proposed activity will not hinder fire/medical services, police responses and traffic safety. You may also be required to have insurance to protect against liability arising from the event.

Alcohol is prohibited on the public streets and sidewalks unless the parties have obtained a waiver by the city council. Depending on the size and nature of the event, you may be required to pay for police services.

13. What are the days and hours that parking is enforced?

The timed parking in the downtown business district is enforced 7 days a week, including Sundays and holidays from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. Specialty parking spaces like loading zones, disabled spaces, passenger zones, bus zones and taxi zones are enforced 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Parking is also prohibited 24 hours a day adjacent to fire hydrants and red zones or other places indicated by signs.