Administrative Citations

PAYMENT

If you need further clarification about payment of the citation, please call 1 (800) 969-6158.

Payment must be received within 30 days of the citation issuance. Payment of the fine shall not excuse the failure to correct the violation nor shall it bar further enforcement by the City.  

Methods of Payment:

Pay Online (You will be directed to a secure third party vendor hosted website) 

Pay by Phone: 1 (800) 969-6158 

Pay by mail: Payment may be in the form of a cashier's check, money order, or personal check.  Do not send cash. Check should be made out to the City of Laguna Niguel. Please write the citation number on your check or money order. Mail payment to:

City of Laguna Niguel C/O Citation Processing Center
 P.O. Box 7275
Newport Beach, CA 92658-7275

How much is the processing fee?

The processing fee is $3.50 per credit card transaction, charged by the 3rd party vendor. There are additional fees if an installment plan is selected. The City of Laguna Niguel does not receive this money.

How long does it take for my payment to reflect in your system?

The citation is updated with your payment as soon as you successfully complete your transaction (The receipt page contains the transaction number). If you believe the payment did not complete successfully, DO NOT ATTEMPT THE SAME PAYMENT. This is to ensure you do not submit a duplicate payment. Contact Customer Service at 1 (800) 969-6158 for assistance.

HOW DO I CONTEST A CITATION?

Right to Preliminary Review

Within 7 days of the citation date you have the right to request a preliminary review if you feel this citation was made in error. The request must include the Preliminary Review form and a copy of the citation. The request shall state the reasons why there was no violation or why the citee is not the responsible person for the violation. Submit the request by email to code@cityoflagunaniguel.org or drop off at City Hall. 

Download Preliminary Review Form 

Right to Request Administrative Hearing

Click Here to Request an Administrative Hearing (You will be directed to a secure third party vendor hosted website) 

Download Hearing Request Form

Within 20 calendar days from the date the citation was issued, you have the right to appeal this administrative citation by requesting an administrative hearing. The total amount of the fine, along with the completed appeal form, must be received within 20 calendar days of the issuance of the citation. Please include your reasons for the appeal. The failure to pay the total amount of the fine or complete and attach the appeal form shall render the appeal incomplete. The violator shall then be responsible for the total amount of the fine. Failure of any person to properly file a written appeal within 20 calendar days shall constitute a waiver of that person's right to have an administrative hearing reviewing the administrative citation and to contest the amount of the fine. 

Hardship Waiver

Download Hardship Waiver Form

A person who files for a request for administrative hearing may also request, at the same time, a hardship waiver of the fine deposit. To seek such a waiver, the citee must check the box indicating this request on the administrative hearing request form and must also submit a Hardship Waiver for Administrative Hearing form. To be effective, both the completed forms must be mailed to the address below and received within 20 days of the date the citation is issued. The person requesting the waiver bears the burden of establishing by substantial evidence that he or she does not have the financial ability to make the deposit or the fine. Mail both the completed request for hearing and hardship waiver forms to: 

City of Laguna Niguel C/O Citation Processing Center
 P.O. Box 7275
Newport Beach, CA 92658-7275

Hearing Process

 A notice of the hearing will be mailed to the citee at least 10 days in advance of the hearing. The hearing shall be held within 30 days of the request for an administrative hearing. The hearing will follow the procedures set forth in LNMC Section 1-3-22. The person requesting the administrative hearing must personally attend the hearing on the date, time and place specified. A failure to personally attend the hearing will be considered a nonappearance. A nonappearance by the citee shall constitute an abandonment of the request unless the hearing is continued in accordance with LNMC Section 1-3-22.