Columbus parking ticket fines
An expired meter costs $70 in Columbus and parking at a fire hydrant costs $90. Parking tickets go to the city, not traffic court.
Expired meter$70
Fire hydrant$90
Disabled space$500
Most expensive$500disability parking space
What does each parking ticket cost in Columbus?
The steepest Columbus parking ticket is disability parking space at $500, 7.1 times the $70 for an expired meter. The cheapest is expired or missing registration at $30.
| Ticket | Fine |
|---|---|
| Meter non-paymentStandard amount (8 to 29 days). Early $50, late $80. | $70[35] |
| Overtime parkingStandard amount (8 to 29 days). Early $50, late $80. | $70[35] |
| No parking (signed)Standard amount (8 to 29 days). Early $50, late $80. | $70[35] |
| No stopping (signed)Standard amount (8 to 29 days). Early $50, late $80. | $70[35] |
| Within 10 feet of a fire hydrantStandard amount (8 to 29 days). Early $70, late $100. | $90[35] |
| On a crosswalkStandard amount (8 to 29 days). Early $70, late $100. | $90[35] |
| Disability parking spaceStandard amount (8 to 29 days). Early $480, late $510. | $500[35] |
| Obstructing a bus loading areaStandard amount (8 to 29 days). Early $70, late $100. | $90[35] |
| Blocking a driveway or garageStandard amount (8 to 29 days). Early $50, late $80. | $70[35] |
| Permit parking areaStandard amount (8 to 29 days). Early $50, late $80. | $70[35] |
| Parking in a bike laneStandard amount (8 to 29 days). Early $70, late $100. | $90[35] |
| Parking during a snow emergencyStandard amount (8 to 29 days). Early $50, late $80. | $70[35] |
| Expired or missing registrationFlat $30 at every stage. Early discount and late fee do not apply. | $30[35] |
How do you pay or fight a Columbus parking ticket?
Who handles it
City of Columbus Division of Mobility and Parking Services[35]
Pay a Columbus parking ticket online[34]
How to contest it
Answer the ticket in person, by mail or online within 30 days of the ticket date and ask for a hearing if you want to contest it. If you do not answer, a notice follows and a default judgment can be entered.[35]
If you pay late
Pay within 30 days to avoid a $10 late penalty. The late fine amount applies at 30 days or more. Pay in the first 7 days for a $20 discount.[34][35]
How do Columbus parking fines compare with other big cities?
At $70, the Columbus expired meter fine is number 3 of 15 among the big cities listed here.
| City | Expired meter | Fire hydrant |
|---|---|---|
| Columbus, OH | $70 | $90 |
| New York, NY | $35–$65 | $115 |
| Chicago, IL | $50–$70 | $150 |
| Houston, TX | $30 | $105 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $26–$36 | $76 |
| San Diego, CA | $42.5 | $104.5 |
| Dallas, TX | $90 | Not published |
| Jacksonville, FL | $15 | $25 |
| Fort Worth, TX | $40 | $105 |
| Charlotte, NC | $25 | Not published |
| Indianapolis, IN | $20 | $75 |
| San Francisco, CA | $107–$108 | $108 |
| Seattle, WA | $65 | $69 |
| Denver, CO | $35 | $35 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $15–$24 | Not published |
Got a speeding or other moving ticket in Columbus?
Moving violations go to the courts, not the parking agency, and they can bring points and higher insurance. See the local court's fines. Ohio ticket rules. Do parking tickets affect your license?
What else do people ask?
How much is a parking ticket in Columbus?
It depends on the violation. An expired meter is $70. Parking at a fire hydrant is $90. The most expensive common ticket is disability parking space at $500.
What happens if I pay a Columbus parking ticket late?
Pay within 30 days to avoid a $10 late penalty. The late fine amount applies at 30 days or more. Pay in the first 7 days for a $20 discount.
How do I fight a Columbus parking ticket?
Answer the ticket in person, by mail or online within 30 days of the ticket date and ask for a hearing if you want to contest it. If you do not answer, a notice follows and a default judgment can be entered.
Does a parking ticket add points to my license?
No. A parking ticket is not a moving violation, so it adds no points and does not show on the driving record insurers check. Unpaid tickets can still lead to holds or a boot.
Sources (2)
- Pay a Ticket, City of Columbus.
- Columbus City Code Chapter 2150 Rules and Regulations (effective March 24, 2026), City of Columbus Department of Public Service.