HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD 25-4970 - Ord Amendment - Parking ticket appeal process and Towing Impoundment Procedures - PUBLISH 11-26-25Ordinance No. 25-4970 Ordinance amending Title 9, entitled “Motor Vehicles and Traffic,”
Chapter 5, entitled “Parking Meter Zones and Parking Lots,” Section 6,
entitled “Penalties; Parking Tickets,” to provide for an updated and
streamlined process to appeal parking tickets and Chapter 9, entitled
“Towing and Impoundment Procedures,” Section 4, entitled
“Impoundment for Accumulated Parking Violations,” to increase the amount of accumulated parking fines that result in adding a vehicle to the impound list from $50.00 to $150.00.
Whereas, the Iowa City Code section 9-5-6 provides the process for a driver or owner of a vehicle to appeal a parking violation; and Whereas, the current Iowa City Code section 9-5-6 outlines a process that is unsustainable and said provision should be amended to update and streamline the process to allow for a more efficient, staff and customer friendly process for administrative review of parking tickets; and Whereas, Iowa City Code section 9-9-4 provides that a vehicle may be impounded for accumulated parking violations of $50.00 or more; and Whereas, it is appropriate to increase the threshold for the impoundment of a vehicle for unpaid parking tickets from $50.00 to $150.00 or more; and Whereas, it is in the best interest of the City to adopt this ordinance.
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Iowa City, Iowa: Section I. Amendment.
1. Title 9, entitled “Motor Vehicles and Traffic,” Chapter 5, entitled “Parking Meter Zones and Parking Lots,” Section 6, entitled “Penalties; Parking Tickets,”
Subsection A., entitled “Parking Violations” is amended by deleting the strike-through text as follows: The penalties for violations of parking regulations shall be as provided in the schedule of fees, title 3, chapter 4 of this code. Parking violations may be charged on a notice of fine (ticket), and if the driver or owner charged admits the violation, payment of the scheduled penalty shall be paid to the department of finance. If the driver or owner charged desires to contest the violation, the
violation may be appealed to the parking violation review panel as provided in subsection B of this section or may be charged and filed with the district court on a standard traffic citation pursuant to the code of Iowa, as amended, as provided in subsection C of this section.
2. Title 9, entitled “Motor Vehicles and Traffic,” Chapter 5, entitled “Parking Meter Zones and Parking Lots,” Section 6, entitled “Penalties; Parking Tickets,” Subsection B.,
entitled “Administrative Review” is amended by adding the underlined text and deleting the strike-through text as follows:
A driver or owner charged with a parking violation may request an administrative review within seven (7) twenty (20) calendar days of the date the parking ticket was issued. The request shall be made through the online portal accessed through the City’s website or on the form provided by the City, which can be downloaded from the City’s website or picked up at the Parking Office city and shall be reviewed by a three (3) member panel made up of the parking superintendent, a member of the police department and one other city staff member. Requests submitted with an explanation listed on the City’s website shall be reviewed by Transportation Services staff. All other reviews shall be conducted by the City Manager or City Manager’s designee. The review panel shall consider the defenses or mitigating circumstances set forth on the review request form and shall base its findings and determination thereon. The panel may dismiss Any any notice of fine (ticket) may be dismissed for good cause, and upon dismissal, the City city shall refund the
fine money paid by the appealing party, less any unpaid parking fines then owing by the driver or owner charged.
3. Title 9, entitled “Motor Vehicles and Traffic,” Chapter 5, entitled “Parking Meter Zones and Parking Lots,” Section 6, entitled “Penalties; Parking Tickets,” Subsection C., entitled “Violation Not Dismissed by Administrative Review” is amended by adding the
underlined text and deleting the strike-through text as follows: A driver or owner charged with a parking violation on a notice of fine (ticket) whose violation was reviewed but not dismissed by the administrative review panel may request that the violation be charged on a standard traffic citation and tried in magistrate court as a simple misdemeanor. This request must be made within ten (10) calendar days of the date the administrative review decision was issued. If the driver or owner is found not guilty or the charge is dismissed by the magistrate, the City city shall refund any fine money paid for the violation. If found guilty, the driver or owner shall be credited with all fine money previously paid for the violation.
4. Title 9, entitled “Motor Vehicles and Traffic,” Chapter 9, entitled “Towing and Impoundment Procedures,” Section 4, entitled “Impoundment for Accumulated Parking
Violations,” Subsection A., entitled “Determination of Towing and Impoundment” is amended by adding the underlined text and deleting the strike-through text as follows: If any vehicle has accumulated a combination of parking violations, and/or ramp charges, and/or vehicle unlock fees, totaling one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00) ($50.00) or more, such vehicle may be towed and impounded or may be impounded by use of a "Denver boot" or similar device, as hereafter provided.
Section II. Repealer. All ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict with the provision of this Ordinance are hereby repealed. Section III. Severability. If any section, provision or part of the Ordinance shall be adjudged to be invalid or unconstitutional, such adjudication shall not affect the validity of the Ordinance as a whole or any section, provision or part thereof not adjudged invalid or unconstitutional. Section IV. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall be in effect after its final passage, approval and publication, as provided by law. Passed and approved this 18th day of November 2025. s/Bruce Teague, Mayor Attest:s/ Kellie Grace, City Clerk *Submitted to publish on 11/26/2025