Administrative Citations

Sonoma County Animal Services has implemented an Administrative Citation Program to support responsible pet ownership and promote the health, safety, and welfare of animals and the community.

An administrative citation, known as a Notice of Violation and Administrative Fine, is an option that may be used instead of criminal citations for some Sonoma County Code violations. These citations are authorized under Section 1-7.6 to provide Animal Control Officers with a way to address specific violations and encourage compliance.

The Citation Processing Center accepts payments, conducts administrative hearings to contest the citation, and approves financial hardship waivers. There are three ways of contacting them:

Online through the administrative citation portal
Phone (800) 969-5168
Mail sent to Sonoma County Animal Services, C/O Citation Processing Center, PO Box 7275, Newport Beach, CA 92685-7275

I received an administrative citation. What do I do now?

If you receive an administrative citation, there are two important steps you should take.

1. Correct the violation.
Confirm the information on your citation to fix the violation. Examples include:

License Required: Purchase a license online or in person. Proof of a current rabies vaccination is required to purchase a license.

Vaccination and Microchip Requirements for Dogs and Cats: Contact your preferred veterinary mobile clinic or hospital to schedule a rabies vaccination and microchip. Mobile clinics are often drop-in and first-come, first served.

Dogs at Large: Make sure your dog is properly confined and prevented from leaving your property. This may require an inspection by an Animal Control Officer once completed.

Excessive Animal Noise: Stop or reduce excessive noise, such as barking or crowing.

2. Pay the administrative citation.
Follow the instructions on the citation to make a payment. Payments can be made online, by phone or by mail through the Citation Processing Center.

Please follow the instructions included with your citation and allow enough time for mailed payments to be received by the deadline. Postmark dates are not considered meeting the payment deadline.

How long do I have to pay the Administrative Citation?

Payment must be received within 30 days from the citation date. All days count, including weekends and holidays. Postmark dates are not considered meeting the payment deadline. If paying by mail, send the payment with enough time to reach the Citation Processing Center by the due date.

Failure to pay the citation by the due date may result in collection actions.

I would like to contest the citation because I am not the person responsible for the violation or because I feel there was no violation. What can I do?

If you believe you are not the person responsible for the violation, or you would like to contest the citation, you may request an administrative hearing.

Administrative hearing requests are processed through the Citation Processing Center.

To request an Administrative Hearing:

Fill out the Administrative Citation Appeal Request form
Use the Citation Processing Center portal and upload the necessary documents
You may also call (800) 969-5168 for assistance with your citation and the hearing process

Please follow the instructions provided by the Citation Processing Center when submitting your hearing request. Payment of the citation is generally required at this time.

What if I cannot afford to pay the citation before my hearing?

If you have a qualifying financial hardship and cannot afford to deposit the fine amount before your hearing, you may request a hardship waiver. The County of Sonoma uses the State of California Department of Housing and Community Development very low income limits, per number of people in the household:

1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
$57,700	$65,950	$74,200	$82,400	$89,000	$95,600	$102,200	$108,800

To request a hardship waiver:

Complete and submit the Request for Advance Deposit Hardship Waiver form
Provide any information or documentation required to support your financial hardship claim

Important: The hardship waiver request must be submitted together with your Administrative Hearing request. Submitting the hardship request separately or after the hearing request may delay processing or may not satisfy the filing requirements.

For information about the Administrative Hearing process or available forms, contact the Citation Processing Center through their poratal or by calling at 1-800-969-5168 or visit www.CitationProcessingCenter.com.

How can I look up my citation or get information about my citation?

You can look up your citation and access available citation services online through the Citation Processing Center.

You may also contact Data Ticket Citation Processing by phone at (800) 969-5168.

Where do I send correspondence or documents related to my citation?

Documents and correspondence related to your citation may uploaded using the Citation Processing Center portal or be mailed to:

Sonoma County Animal Services
C/O Citation Processing Center
PO Box 7275
Newport Beach, CA 92685-7275

Please review the instructions included with your citation to determine whether a specific form or additional documentation is required.

I have more questions about the citation program. Is there a telephone number where I can speak to someone?

Yes. If you have general questions about the administrative Citation program, you may contact Sonoma County Animal Services at (707) 565-7100.

Please note that the staff member who answers this telephone line does not have the authority to change or waive an administrative citation and its fees, nor can they provide legal advice.