Parking - Appeals

UNH employs a WRITTEN appeal process. 

 

You may appeal ONLINE at our ONLINE SERVICES CENTER,

Or print, complete, and send in a paper PAPER APPEAL FORM.

Why can't I just talk to someone? Several reasons: A paper audit trail is required to document tickets that get voided or altered due to the appealing process.  Also,  appeals are forwarded to an outside reviewer, not by office or enforcement personnel.  The appeal reviewer seeks only the facts, and also sometimes requires time to seek clarification or context to reach an informed decision.  This is best accomplished with a written appeal.  Well-written appeals will confine themselves to facts and circumstances, while verbal appeals tend to include common but unhelpful strong feelings.    A written appeal should be concise, precise, and set aside emotion.  Remember, enforcement officers only see empty cars, and do not know anything about you or your situation!

 

The UNH Parking Regulations are designed and enforced to make campus parking as fair and as accessible as possible, and not--as is a common belief--to hassle anyone. Although not wildly popular, it is this department's obligation to enforce the parking code established by the university. Appeals to issued tickets are considered, provided they meet certain criteria, explained below.

Hints on Writing Appeals

An appeals process is established to provide a forum for presenting evidence of enforcement errors or extreme extenuating circumstances.
Appeals presenting and/or properly documenting such situations may be accepted.

Appeals will not be accepted when what is presented simply seeks exemption/exclusion from the parking regulations.

Additionally, when writing out an appeal, you should:

• Keep it brief and to the point.
• Address the issue of your citation...do not bring up any tangential matters or other citations.
• Avoid temptation to editorialize. We are aware that convenient parking is scarce.
• Familiarize yourself with the Parking regulations (posted on line) so you know what you are contesting.
• Write neatly, and be sure to provide all the information requested on the appeal form. Attach any pertinent documentation (paper appeals only).
• Submit your appeal on time--within ten days calendar of the ticket's issue date. After that, it's too late.
• Abusive, abrasive, sarcastic or profane language will not help your appeal in any way.

What Happens Next

Tickets that are on appeal are temporarily put "in limbo". They do not accrue late fees, or count against the owner in any way.

Tickets are reviewed by an appeals agent with your circumstances, fairness for all, and the Regulations in mind. If the appeal satisfactorily presents or documents an extreme extenuating circumstance or enforcement error, the appeal is accepted and the ticket gets voided. If not, the appeal is denied, and the ticket is reinstated. In either event, a letter or return e-mail indicating the result is delivered to the address supplied by the appellant.

How to Submit an Appeal

All appeals MUST be in writing. There are no appeal hearings. If you have a question as to why you were ticketed, you may call and ask, but to contest a ticket you must write out an appeal. There are two options for submitting a written appeal:

1. Appeals online at the Online Services Center (no attachments), or
2. Appeal using the paper Citation Appeal Form: Download, print, fill & submit this form, attaching the ticket and any pertinent documentation.  This form is also available at outside the parking office service window, at the Visitor Center.
3. You may instead write out an appeal letter, but be sure to follow these guidelines, and you must remember to include your name, address, license plate number, and the number of the ticket you are contesting. Attach the ticket and any pertinent documentation.

 

APPEALS SUBMITED BEYOND 10 DAYS FOLLOWING THE CITATION ISSUANCE WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

 

IN ORDER FOR AN APPEAL BE CONSIDERED, THERE MUST BE NO OTHER UNPAID PARKING TICKETS ON YOUR ACCOUNT.

The mailing address for delivering paper appeals is:

University Transportation Services
Parking Department
295 Mast Road
Durham, NH 03824

The appeals decisions are final.

Link to the Online Appeal Form

Click here.

Download a Paper Appeal Form:

Appeal Form (MSWord .doc format, edit & print)

 

Appeal Form (Adobe .pdf format, print only)