Three-Year Limitation on Parking Citation Collection
Civil parking citations in Virginia are subject to general civil limitations under Code of Virginia §8.01-246. While localities may pursue collection through DMV holds, the underlying obligation to pay a contested citation older than three years from the date of issuance is barred from civil enforcement. Localities still occasionally try to collect on decade-old citations when registering vehicles — these can be challenged.
Legal basis
Code of Virginia §8.01-246 (statute of limitations for written/oral contracts); §8.01-228 (general limitations); §46.2-220 (DMV registration holds); §15.2-1429 (civil penalties)
Sample appeal wording
[DATE] [LOCALITY] Treasurer / Parking Enforcement Virginia DMV (CC: as applicable) RE: Statute of Limitations Defense - Citation(s) #[LIST] from [YEARS] Dear Sir/Madam: I respectfully assert the statute of limitations as a complete defense to the citation(s) referenced above. Under Code of Virginia §8.01-246, civil obligations such as parking citations are subject to a three-year limitations period from accrual. The citation(s) at issue were issued in [YEAR/DATES], more than three years before the date of this letter. [Locality] has not, to my knowledge, filed any timely civil action or commenced judicial collection proceedings within the statutory period. While §46.2-220 permits DMV registration holds, the placement of a hold does not toll the limitations period for the underlying civil debt. I respectfully request: 1. Removal of any DMV hold associated with these citations 2. Acknowledgment in writing that the citations are uncollectable 3. If [LOCALITY] disputes this position, a bill of particulars identifying any judicial action taken to enforce these citations within the three-year window If the requested relief is not granted within 30 days, I will proceed to General District Court for declaratory relief. Sincerely, [NAME]
Replace [PARKING DATE], [NtK DATE] etc. with your own dates before sending.
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- Code of Virginia §8.01-246
- Code of Virginia §8.01-228
- Code of Virginia §46.2-220
- Code of Virginia §15.2-1429