How Much Is a Parking Ticket in Wilmington?
Parking tickets in Wilmington range from $35 to $64. An expired meter costs $51. The most expensive violation is bus lane / bus stop at $64. Late penalties add 50% after 30 days.
Quick Answer
The most common parking ticket in Wilmington is expired meter at $51. The most expensive is bus lane / bus stop at $64.
All Parking Fine Amounts in Wilmington
| Violation | Fine | Late Fee (30+ days) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bus Lane / Bus Stop | $64 | $96 | Parked or stopped in a designated bus lane or bus stop |
| Double Parked | $63 | $95 | Parked alongside another vehicle already at the curb |
| Wrong Direction | $61 | $92 | Parked facing against the direction of traffic |
| Too Close to Intersection | $61 | $92 | Parked within 20-30 feet of an intersection (varies by city) |
| Bike Lane | $58 | $87 | Parked or stopped in a designated bicycle lane |
| Crosswalk | $58 | $87 | Parked within a marked crosswalk or within 20 feet of one |
| No Standing Zone | $56 | $84 | Vehicle stopped in a no-standing zone (driver present or not) |
| Overtime Parking | $54 | $81 | Exceeded posted time limit in a time-restricted zone |
| No Stopping Zone | $52 | $78 | Vehicle stopped for any reason in a no-stopping zone |
| Snow Emergency | $52 | $78 | Parked on a snow emergency route during a declared snow emergency |
| Expired Meter | $51 | $77 | Time on a metered space has expired |
| No Parking Zone | $51 | $77 | Parked in a signed no-parking area |
| Fire Hydrant | $50 | $75 | Parked within 15 feet (or local requirement) of a fire hydrant |
| Residential Permit Zone | $47 | $71 | Parked in a permit zone without a valid residential permit |
| Handicap Zone | $46 | $69 | Parked in an accessible space without a valid placard or plate |
| School Zone | $45 | $68 | Parked in a school zone during restricted hours |
| Blocking Driveway | $44 | $66 | Parked across or blocking a private driveway |
| Sidewalk | $40 | $60 | Vehicle parked on or blocking a sidewalk |
| Unpaid Meter | $39 | $59 | Failed to pay any amount at a metered space |
| Street Cleaning Violation | $38 | $57 | Parked during posted street sweeping hours |
| Too Far from Curb | $37 | $56 | Parked more than 12-18 inches from the curb (varies by city) |
| Expired Registration | $37 | $56 | Vehicle parked on public street with expired registration |
| Fire Lane | $36 | $54 | Parked in a designated fire lane |
| Commercial Zone | $35 | $53 | Non-commercial vehicle parked in a commercial loading zone |
Fine amounts based on published municipal fee schedules. Amounts may change. Always verify with official city sources.
Late Penalties
Unpaid parking tickets in Wilmington increase by approximately 50% after 30 days and may double after 60 days. After 90 days, additional administrative fees and collections referral may apply.
What Happens If You Don't Pay
What happens after an unpaid parking ticket in Wilmington:
Initial citation
Day 0Base fine amount due
Late penalty
+30 daysFine increases 50-100% (varies by city)
Second notice
+60 daysAdditional administrative fee ($10-25)
Collections referral
+90 daysSent to collections agency; may affect credit
Registration hold
+120 daysDMV hold — cannot renew vehicle registration
Boot/tow eligible
+150 daysVehicle subject to booting or towing at owner expense
Judgment
+180 daysCourt judgment; wage garnishment possible in some jurisdictions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most expensive parking ticket in Wilmington?
How much does an expired meter ticket cost in Wilmington?
Do parking ticket fines double in Wilmington?
Want to contest a ticket? You have 30 days. How to fight a parking ticket in Wilmington