Administrative Citation Appeals
You can appeal an Administrative Citation from the City of Berkeley by requesting a hearing, where you may testify and present evidence to support your case.
If you have been issued an Administrative Citation, you can file an appeal by completing a request for hearing form. The City of Berkeley may issue you an Administrative Citation if you are out of compliance with an ordinance in the Berkeley Municipal Code. The City enforces the Municipal Code to protect the health and safety of the Berkeley community.
Submit a request for hearing form within 21 days
To appeal an Administrative Citation, you must:
- Complete the Request for Hearing Form
- Pay an advanced deposit of the fine (or see information about requesting a deposit waiver below)
- Submit the Request for Hearing Form and advanced deposit in person or postmarked within 21 days after the date the citation was issued
Submit a request to waive the deposit due to financial hardship within 10 days
If you are experiencing financial hardship and cannot pay the advanced deposit of your fine, you can submit a Waiver Request Form. The form must be filed with the City within 10 days of the date of the administrative citation. The City will send you a letter to let you know if your request was approved.
If denied, you will need to pay the deposit of your fine within 10 days of that notice, or within 30 days of the date the citation was issued, whichever is later. If you do not submit your deposit, you will not be entitled to a hearing.
Testify at your scheduled hearing date
If the City approves your request for a hearing, the hearing will be scheduled 15-30 days after the date you filed your request. At the hearing, you may testify and present evidence about the citation.
If you do not show up to your hearing, the City will keep the advanced deposit of your fine. You will not have any further opportunity to appeal your citation.