Got a parking ticket from Parking Enforcement or Chapel Hill Police? Find out what happens next and how to pay or appeal here.
What Happens After You Receive a Parking Ticket?
You received a ticket from Parking Services
After the Parking Enforcement Officer submits the citation, a nine‑digit “Town of Chapel Hill: Notice of Parking Citation” is printed and placed on your vehicle in a yellow envelope.
A “Statement of Outstanding Parking Citation(s)/Permit Fee(s)” is then mailed or emailed to the vehicle’s registered owner. It lists the violation, license plate number, amount due for each ticket, and the total owed.
If you pay within 21 days, no further action is needed.
If not paid or appealed within 21 days, the ticket becomes delinquent, a $10 late fee is added, and appeals are no longer allowed.
If still unpaid after another 14 days, a final $10 late fee is added.
You received a ticket from Chapel Hill Police
Everything is the same as if you received a ticket from Parking services, however, there are two differences:
After an officer writes the citation, they leave a yellow six‑digit “Town of Chapel Hill Parking Citation” envelope on your vehicle with payment instructions.
A carbon copy is sent to Parking Services to enter the ticket into the system, which then enables online viewing, payment, and appeals. Another copy is kept for police records.
Lost Parking Tickets
If you lose your ticket, you’re still responsible for payment. You can look up any outstanding tickets by entering your license plate number (no dashes or spaces) in our online portal.
How To Pay for Parking Tickets
All citations must be paid within 21 calendar days from the issue date on the citation or late fees will be assessed. Visa, MasterCard and American Express credit or debit cards accepted. Discover is not accepted.
Pay Online
Pay at our online portal, just follow our on-screen instructions to complete the transaction.
Pay by Mail
Please mail your payment to:
Town of Chapel Hill
Parking Services
125 E Rosemary St
Chapel Hill, NC 27514-3528
Enclose the citation with a personal check, money order or cashier’s check. Make checks payable to Town of Chapel Hill. Payment envelopes postmarked before the 21-day deadline will not incur late fees. It is not advised to mail cash. Cash is mailed at sender’s risk.
Pay In-Person or Dropbox
Our office is located at:
125 E Rosemary St
Chapel Hill, NC 27514-3528
The Parking Services Office is located on the outside of the parking garage, on Level P3, in between the wheelchair (accessibility) ramp and the elevator lobby. Our drop box is in the same area, but on the inside of the parking garage.
How to Appeal a Ticket
Appeal at our online portal, just follow our on-screen instructions to complete the appeal.
What Happens After You Appeal a Ticket?
Once your appeal is received, online payment and late fees are paused until an appeal decision is made. The appeal will be reviewed, taking into account the information you have provided.
If the appeal is accepted, you will be notified by email, and no further action is required.
If the appeal is not accepted, you will receive an email response asking you to pay the full amount, due within 10 days of the date of the appeals decision. After 10 days, late fees will be assessed.