Legal Nature of the Violation
Exceeding the paid parking time limit in the Philippines is classified as an administrative violation of a local government unit (LGU) ordinance. It is not a criminal offense under the Revised Penal Code and does not carry imprisonment unless the motorist repeatedly refuses to settle the violation and the case escalates to disobedience to a person in authority under Article 151 of the Revised Penal Code (very rare).
The legal basis is Section 16 (General Welfare Clause) and Section 458(a)(1)(vi) and (a)(3)(vi) of Republic Act No. 7160 (Local Government Code of 1991), which expressly authorize cities and municipalities to regulate the use of streets, including the imposition of parking fees and penalties for violations.
National Guidelines Governing Enforcement
Although regulation is local, enforcement is subject to the following national issuances:
DILG-DOTr-MMDA Joint Administrative Order No. 2014-001 (Guidelines on Towing, Clamping, and Impounding) – still the controlling regulation as of December 2025.
- Maximum wheel clamp (boot) removal fee: ₱500.00
- Towing fees (Metro Manila rates, light vehicles):
– First 4 kilometers or fraction thereof: ₱2,400.00
– Succeeding kilometers: ₱200.00/km - Overnight impounding fee: maximum ₱500.00 per night
- Strictly prohibits “no-release” policy without payment of fine + towing/clamping fees
- Requires official receipt for every fee collected
DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2020-145 (December 2020) and subsequent reminders in 2023 and 2024 reiterating that LGUs may not impose fines higher than what is provided in their own ordinances and must observe due process.
LTO Administrative Order No. 2021-039 and JV-2023-01 (Uniform Traffic Violation Receipt system) – all parking violation tickets issued by LGUs must now be encoded in the LTO’s LERMS (Law Enforcement Records Management System) if the LGU is already connected. Failure to settle within 15 days may result in flagging of the vehicle’s registration during renewal.
Common Penalties by Major LGU (Updated as of December 2025)
| LGU | Ordinance Basis | Fine for Overstaying/Non-Payment | Clamping Fee | Towing Allowed? | Additional Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Makati City | Ordinance No. 2003-095 (as amended by Ord. 2022-116) | ₱1,000 (1st), ₱2,000 (2nd), ₱3,000 (3rd & succeeding) | ₱500 | Yes | Uses disk-based and app-based (Makati Park) system; grace period 10 minutes |
| Manila City | Ordinance No. 8092 & 8509 (Manila Traffic Management Code) | ₱1,000 | ₱500 | Yes | Uses Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau (MTPB); frequent clamping in Ermita-Malate |
| Quezon City | Ordinance SP-2996, S-2020 (as amended by SP-3195, S-2023) | ₱1,200 | ₱500 | Yes | App-based (QC e-Services Parking); 15-minute grace period |
| Taguig City (including BGC streets under city control) | Ordinance No. 28, S-2021 (as amended 2024) | ₱1,500 | ₱500 | Yes | BGC streets managed directly by city since 2023 settlement with BCDA/FBG Corp. |
| Pasig City | Ordinance No. 37, S-2019 (as amended 2023) | ₱800 | ₱500 | Yes | Uses PasigPass app; very strict enforcement |
| Mandaluyong City | Ordinance No. 756, S-2020 | ₱1,000 | ₱500 | Yes | |
| San Juan City | Ordinance No. 23, S-2022 | ₱1,500 | ₱500 | Yes | Highest fine among Metro Manila cities |
| Pasay City | Ordinance No. 5290, S-2018 | ₱1,000 | ₱500 | Yes | Heavy enforcement near Mall of Asia and airport |
| Parañaque City | Ordinance No. 22-14, S-2022 | ₱1,000 | ₱500 | Yes | Uses BF Homes and Sucat areas |
| Muntinlupa City | Ordinance No. 2023-156 | ₱800 | ₱500 | Yes | Alabang commercial district |
| Cebu City | Ordinance No. 2700 (2022) | ₱1,000 | ₱500 | Yes | Uses Cebu City Parking Management System |
| Davao City | Ordinance No. 0539-19, Series of 2019 | ₱1,200 (1st), ₱2,500 (2nd) | ₱500 | Yes | Very strict; uses Davao City Parking Ordinance |
| Bacolod City | Ordinance No. 09-16-1015 | ₱500 | Not practiced | Rarely | Mostly ticketing only |
| Baguio City | Traffic & Transport Code 2023 | ₱1,000 | ₱500 | Yes | Seasonal increase during Panagbenga |
Enforcement Procedure (Standard Across Most LGUs)
- Traffic enforcer or parking attendant photographs the vehicle showing expired disk/app payment.
- Violation ticket is issued and placed on windshield, or encoded directly in the app.
- If vehicle remains after 30–60 minutes (varies per LGU), wheel clamp is applied or vehicle is towed.
- Motorist pays the fine + clamping/towing fees at the city treasurer’s office or designated payment centers (GCash, Maya, 7-Eleven, Bayad Center now accepted in most cities).
- After payment, clamp is removed within 1–2 hours or vehicle is released from impound.
Exemptions and Discounts
- Persons with Disabilities (PWD) – 100% exemption from parking fees and penalties upon presentation of valid PWD ID (expressly provided in most ordinances and reinforced by Batas Pambansa Blg. 344 and RA 10754).
- Senior Citizens – 20% discount on parking fees (RA 9994), but penalty for overstaying is still imposed in most LGUs (the discount applies only to the fee, not to the fine).
- Government vehicles on official business – exempt if properly marked and with mission order.
- Emergency vehicles (ambulance, fire truck, police) – fully exempt.
- Electric vehicles – some LGUs (Makati, Taguig, Quezon City) grant 50–100% discount on parking fees until 2027 under RA 11697 (Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act).
Motorist’s Rights and Remedies
- Right to contest the ticket within 7–15 days (depending on ordinance) before the city/municipal traffic adjudication board.
- Right to photograph the scene and the enforcer’s ID.
- Right to demand official receipt for every peso paid.
- Clamping or towing may be declared illegal and fees refunded if:
- No visible “Paid Parking” sign within 50 meters
- No proof of expired payment (photo evidence missing)
- Clamp applied without prior ticket (violates due process)
- Fees charged exceed JAO 2014-001 limits
Several successful small claims cases (2022–2025) in Metro Manila courts have awarded damages ranging from ₱10,000 to ₱50,000 against erring enforcers/LGUs for illegal clamping.
Private Parking Operators (Malls, Condominiums, Hospitals)
Overstaying in privately operated parking areas is purely contractual. Common practices:
- Additional hourly fee (₱50–₱200 per excess hour)
- Lost card fee ₱500–₱1,000
- Overnight fee ₱500–₱2,000
- Towing at owner’s expense (₱4,000–₱8,000)
Refusal to pay may constitute unjust vexation (Art. 287, Revised Penal Code) if the operator blocks exit without legal basis, but in practice, the Supreme Court in SM malls cases (G.R. No. 198859, 2017, and subsequent rulings) has upheld the right of parking operators to deny exit until reasonable fees are paid.
Conclusion
Exceeding paid parking time limits in the Philippines carries fines ranging from ₱500 to ₱3,000 depending on the LGU and frequency of offense, plus standardized clamping (₱500) and towing fees governed by JAO 2014-001. The violation is administrative in nature, handled entirely by the LGU, and is now increasingly digital with app-based payment and ticketing. Motorists are well-advised to strictly observe time limits or avail of the maximum allowable parking duration, as enforcement has become significantly stricter and more systematic since 2023.