ParkColumbia / ParkMobile Meter & App Malfunction
Columbia uses Park Columbia (City Parking Services) on-street meters and the ParkMobile app for paid parking. When a meter is jammed/inoperable or the ParkMobile app fails (server outage, payment failure not user's fault), Columbia Municipal Code §10-321 and §10-324 expressly require the motorist to attempt payment but excuse non-payment if the meter cannot accept it. Documenting the malfunction (photo of error screen, ParkMobile transaction failure notice) is grounds for dismissal at first-level review by Columbia Parking Services.
Legal basis
Columbia Municipal Code §10-321 (meter operation), §10-324 (defenses); SC Code §56-5-30 (local authority to regulate parking); ParkMobile terms requiring city to honor confirmed transactions
Sample appeal wording
TO: City of Columbia, Parking Services 820 Washington St., Columbia, SC 29201 RE: Citation No. [TICKET_NUMBER], Issued [DATE], Location [METER/ZONE] I request dismissal of the above citation under Columbia Municipal Code §10-324 (defenses) on the ground of meter/app malfunction. Facts: At [TIME] on [DATE], I attempted to pay for parking at meter/zone [#]. The [meter was jammed and would not accept payment / the ParkMobile app returned the attached error and did not complete the transaction]. I parked elsewhere within [TIME] / called the number on the meter / contacted ParkMobile support (case [#]). Attached: photograph of meter, screenshot of ParkMobile failure, ParkMobile transaction log. Under Columbia Municipal Code §10-321, a motorist may not be cited for failure to deposit when the meter is mechanically incapable of accepting payment. Respectfully request dismissal. [NAME] [ADDRESS] [DATE]
Replace [PARKING DATE], [NtK DATE] etc. with your own dates before sending.
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Scan my ticketSources
- Columbia Municipal Code Ch. 10
- Park Columbia / Parking Services policy
- ParkMobile terms of service