Why LA issues nearly 2 million citations a year — and what it means for everyday drivers.
Parking in Los Angeles has always been a pain point, but many drivers don’t realize just how costly LA’s enforcement system really is. Between street sweeping, tow-away zones, expired meters, and confusing signage, the average driver can face hundreds—sometimes thousands—of dollars in annual penalties. And with more than 922,000 tickets issued in just the first half of 2024, the problem isn’t going away anytime soon.
Whether you’re a longtime LA resident or new to the city, understanding the real cost of parking enforcement can save you time, money, and a lot of frustration. Here’s the breakdown.
The average driver can face hundreds—sometimes thousands wit fines ranging from $49-$93 or more if towed.
LA Issues Almost 2 Million Tickets Every Year
According to city data, Los Angeles typically issues 1.5–2 million parking citations per year, with the most recent reports noting:
922,000 tickets issued from January–June 2024
Street sweeping remains the #1 cause of tickets
Fines range from $49 to $93 depending on the violation
Sources:
CBS News: 922,000 parking tickets issued in first half of 2024
LA City Data Portal: Parking Citations Dataset
XTown LA: Ticket spikes across LA neighborhoods
This level of enforcement equates to tens of millions of dollars in fines every year — much of it concentrated in dense neighborhoods like Echo Park, Silver Lake, Koreatown, Hollywood, and West LA.
The Hidden Cost of Getting Towed
A parking ticket is one thing — but a tow can set you back significantly more. Most LA tows include:
$200–$300 impound fee
$60–$90 storage fee per day
$80 administrative fee
Drivers often pay $350–$500 before they can get their car back.
For people who rely on street parking, this isn’t just inconvenient — it can be financially devastating.
Why LA Parking Rules Feel Impossible to Keep Up With
Los Angeles has over:
7,000+ blocks with unique restrictions
35,000+ parking signs
Dozens of overlapping rules per neighborhood
Some streets switch from legal to tow-away zones within minutes, and many residents say the signs are confusing or inconsistent.
This creates a system where even responsible drivers are frequently caught off guard
High-Risk Neighborhoods in LA
Based on public data, the highest parking-ticket neighborhoods include:
Echo Park
Silver Lake
Koreatown
Hollywood
Westwood / UCLA area
DTLA
Santa Monica
These areas have dense housing, limited parking, and some of the strictest street-sweeping schedules in the city.
This is exactly why Curbswap is launching in these zones first.
Street Sweeping: The City’s #1 Ticket Generator
Street sweeping generates more citations than any other category — especially early in the morning. Drivers who forget to move their car (or oversleep) often wake up to:
a $73 fine, or
their car being towed
Street sweeping alone accounts for hundreds of thousands of tickets a year.
It’s no surprise LA residents say they feel “punished” for parking where they live.
How Curbswap Helps Drivers Avoid These Costs
Curbswap was designed to remove the stress, the early mornings, and the constant guessing. Here’s how:
Automatic driver dispatch before restriction windows
Verified relocations with photo + GPS proof
Fallback zones when the street is full
Real-time updates so you know exactly when (and where) your car was moved
Hands-off protection every week
Instead of losing sleep or running outside before work, Curbswap moves your car for you — automatically.
Breaking the Cycle of Recurring Fines
For many LA residents, parking tickets are not a one-time event. They’re recurring.
Drivers with regular street sweeping often get:
1–2 tickets per month
$600–$900 annually
Occasional tow charges
With Curbswap, even one avoided tow covers several months of service.
And staying ticket-free all year can save $1,000+.
Final Thoughts
Los Angeles has one of the strictest parking enforcement systems in the country — and the numbers prove it. But you don’t have to be caught off guard.
Curbswap gives you predictable, reliable protection from the rules that cause most of LA’s tickets and tows.
You deserve peace of mind, not parking anxiety.
