Police Department Parking and Towing

The administration of parking and towing issues is handled by the central records section of the police department. They are located on the first floor of the Public Safety Building on 65th Street. The service counter is located on your left as you enter through the main entrance. The records section is open 16 hours a day during the summer, (24 hours during major summer holidays) and normal business hours during the off season. Their direct telephone number is (410) 723-6608.

PARKING

WHERE DO I PAY A PARKING CITATION?

During the summer there are two drop boxes for the payment of parking citations. One is in the parking lot of the Public Safety Building at 65th Street near the front entrance. The other is in the Inlet Parking Lot near the boardwalk train station. You may also mail in the citation, or you may pay it in person at the Public Safety Building.

HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO PAY THE CITATION?

Parking citations must be paid within 10 days of issuance. If they are not paid within that time period, a $20 late fee will be added to the fine. For citations issued for parking meter violations, the fine will be reduced from $10 to $5 if it is paid in person or placed in a drop box within 24 hours of issuance.

WHAT IF I DON'T PAY THE CITATION?

If the citation is not paid with 10 days, the Motor Vehicle Administration is given the information to begin flagging procedures. This means that you will not be able to renew your tags until the fine, plus any late charges are paid.

WHAT DO I DO IF I GET A NOTICE FROM MVA SAYING MY TAGS HAVE BEEN FLAGGED?

If the Motor Vehicle Administration has indicated on your notice that you have an outstanding obligation to us, you need to contact us immediately. After you pay your fine, we will give you a form "VR119" that you need to complete and return in person to MVA. This form advises them that your obligation to us has been settled and requests them to release your tags.

WHAT INFORMATION DO I NEED TO INQUIRE ABOUT A PARKING CITATION?

You need to know either the correct tag number and state of the vehicle to which the citation was issued, or the actual citation number.

CAN I CHALLENGE THE CITATION IN COURT?

You may request a court date by filling out the back of the citation and mailing it in. You may also request a court date in person at the records service counter. You must do so within 10 days of the issuance of the citation. Any fees will be deferred until after the trial. The case will be heard at the District Court Building adjacent to the Public Safety Building on 65th Street. The case will normally be scheduled within 30 days of your trial request.

If you fail to appear for the court date, a $20 fee will be added to the fine on the citation.

WHAT FORMS OF PAYMENT ARE ACCEPTED?

If you are mailing in your fine, you should send a check. ALWAYS WRITE YOUR TAG NUMBER AND TICKET NUMBER ON THE CHECK! If you are placing the fine in a drop box, you may pay by cash or check. If you are paying in person, you may pay by cash, check, Visa, Mastercard and Discover.

TOWING

WHAT DO I DO IF MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN TOWED?

If you want to recover an impounded vehicle, you need to come to the records service window at the Public Safety Building. You must pay the impounding fee which is normally $90 ($110 if dollies were used). A storage fee is levied on impounded vehicles that are left in the impound lot at the rate of $10 per day.

Once payment is made, the vehicle will be released provided the vehicle is not being held for investigation or drug forfeiture. If the vehicle was impounded for being unregistered, proof of current registration is required if the vehicle is to be driven, otherwise the vehicle must be towed. You must show proper identification to claim your vehicle.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A POLICE TOW AND A PRIVATE TOW?

A police tow is initiated by the police department. A private tow is initiated by a private citizen. Police tow vehicles for a number of reasons including drunk driving, parking violations, abandoned, etc. Private tows are authorized by City ordinance thereby allowing private property owners or managers to tow illegally parked vehicles. A private citizen may tow a car only if he possesses a valid Ocean City Tow Sign, and the vehicle is illegally parked on that private property. There is no difference in the towing fees or recovery procedures. Police and private tows are taken to the police impound lot on 65th Street.

AM I ENTITLED TO A HEARING TO CHALLENGE THE TOW?

You are entitled to a tow hearing for either a police or private tow if you request it. The hearing must be requested within three weeks of the tow. Tow hearings are held at the Public Safety Building. You must request this in person at the records service counter. Tow hearings will be scheduled within 72 hours. You still must pay the impound fee if you want to recover your vehicle before the hearing. If the hearing administrator waives the fee, your vehicle will be released to you at no charge. If you fail to appear at your tow hearing, a $20 fee will be added to your impound charges.

[ What's Happening | Sightseeing | Visitor Info | Calendar | Search | Council Agenda | Directory]
[ Clerk | Convention Center | Engineer | Finances | P & Z | Public Safety | Public Works | Rec & Parks]