Tell Us: Have You Gotten Ticketed for Parking Less Than the Allotted Time?

Last week, a reader was not too happy after receiving a $71 parking ticket in El Cerrito.

The reader complained that it was for parking two hours in a four-hour zone on Elm and Willow Street.

"Is this common practice in El Cerrito," the reader asked.

As it turns out, back in September 2012, El Cerrito police issued a community notice reminding residents that it's illegal to park a vehicle on the street more than 72 hours straight and to park a trailer, RV or motor home on the street more than an hour from 2-6 a.m.

We decided to check in with other local motorists on the following:

What was the most expensive ticket you got, what was it for and where?

Here are some responses we received on El Cerrito Patch Facebook's page:

• I've gotten two tickets for leaving our car parked for over 72 hours in front of our house. Last year's ticket was $62, this year's was $71.00- I fight them and lose. 
• How can you NOT park in front of your own house??? What if you don't have a garage?
• Its because it's over 72 hours....you can't go on vacation! Also, I want to mention that there were no chalk marks on the tires to prove that the car didn't move.
• That's nothing. Some years back I was ticketed for "blocking a red zone" where no red zone existed. I think it was close to $500! Oh, I did do some puckering on that day! /but, I paid the fine. I hate EC's traffic enforcement golf cart. It is the bane of my existence. 
• Our neighbor was ticketed for being more than 12 inches from the curb ( parked facing the wrong way) on a PRIVATE COURT! 
• If you did not park there for the full allotted time, fight it.
• Got a ticket in front of my house for parking more than 4hrs. I was only parked there for 30 min. I have a ATM receipt that im going to send in that shows I was at the bank 30 min before I got the ticket. Hope that works. Looks like the meter maids are hoping people just don't fight it. Not Cool!
• I got one in front of my house as I live in the four hour zone behind BART station. I was new in the neighborhood and didn't know. Had to pay it and it was not a nice welcome to the area. They should give you a chance the first time.
• And yet, it's impossible to get anyone to come out if a BART parker blocks your driveway....
• I received a ticket when parked in front of my house. Ticket said I was parked in the red zone. I WASN'T, so I took a picture and mailed it in to prove it. They denied my claim saying the picture was not date and time stamped. Guilty until proven innocent seems backwards to me!
• Call and fight it. I used to work in EC and would park in 4 hour area, only to be ticketed after 3.5 hours. This was on the regular...had to call and fight constantly. Glad I dont work there anymore! I've heard many stories of ticketing at random, I think they just hope most people pay and dont fight (which ends up happening) unfortunately.
• I got a ticket for leaving my razor scooter on a bike rack. Said it was illegal vehicle in an assigned spot. 
• Wow! This is a PR problem for EC. How embarrassing! 
• I've gotten 6-7 tickets in the last six months. One was $275!

We want to hear from you...

Have you received a ticket for parking less than the allotted time limit in a spot in El Cerrito? Did you try fighting the ticket? What happened? Tell us in the comments section below.