New: Saratoga Springs Creates “Violations Bureau” Parking Ticket Disputes 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The City Council this week unanimously approved the creation of a Parking Violations Bureau as a more efficient method of adjudicating tickets issued for parking infractions. The new bureau will decide parking infraction charges prior to trial.

How it will work: anyone charged with a certain type of specific parking infractions can submit documentation or a signed and written explanation to the staff of the Bureau requesting charges be reduced or dismissed.

Assistant City Attorney Tony Izzo was named as the person to make a formal judgment or decision regarding a disputed matter at the Parking Violations Bureau. Additionally, three current employees of the city’s department of public safety will be assigned to conduct the new bureau’s work, so no additional city costs are anticipated.  

The specified violations are as follows:  

a. Parking in handicapped zone – must submit proof of a valid handicap parking tag or permit.

b. Unregistered motor vehicle – must provide photo of new valid registration or temporary registration affixed to window within 72 hours of the issuance of the ticket.

c. Failure to display current registration – must provide photo of new valid registration or temporary registration affixed to window within 72 hours of the issuance of the ticket.

d. Uninspected motor vehicle – must provide documentation that the vehicle has been inspected within 72 hours of the issuance of the ticket.

 e. Obstructing loading zone – must provide documentation that the vehicle was parked or standing temporarily to load and/or unload goods, wares or merchandise. Such documentation may include correspondence from business owners, invoices, or receipts.

f. Vehicle malfunction or breakdown – must provide documentation of services rendered to remove or repair the vehicle.

g. Medical emergency – must provide documentation from health care personnel, medical staff, or other person or persons that a medical emergency existed. A detailed description of the medical emergency is not required.

h. Death of vehicle owner – must submit reasonable proof.

After review, the person charged may either accept or reject the disposition proposed by the adjudicator, and ask for a hearing before the adjudicator, or a trial in Saratoga Springs City Court.