(a) Any aggrieved person who wishes to appeal a parking or citation assessment issued by a town, city, borough or other municipality shall file with the clerk of the court within the time limited by statute a petition to open assessment with a copy of the notice of assessment annexed thereto. A copy of the petition with the notice of assessment annexed shall be sent by the petitioner by certified mail to the town, city, borough or municipality involved.
Section 23-51.Petition To Open Parking or Citation Assessment
Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentenceThis section lets someone aggrieved by a town or municipal parking or citation assessment petition the court to open the assessment within the statutory time limit, leading to a de novo hearing without a jury.
Full Text of Section 23-51
(b) Upon receipt of the petition, the clerk of the court, after consultation with the presiding judge, shall set a hearing date on the petition and shall notify the parties thereof. There shall be no pleadings subsequent to the petition.
(c) The hearing on the petition shall be de novo. There shall be no right to a hearing before a jury.
Amendment History
(P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 546A.)
Plain-English Summary
This section covers appeals of parking and citation assessments issued by a town, city, borough, or other municipality. An aggrieved person must file a petition to open assessment with the clerk of the court within the time set by statute, attaching a copy of the notice of assessment, and must also send a copy of the petition and notice by certified mail to the municipality involved.
Once the clerk receives the petition, the clerk consults with the presiding judge, sets a hearing date, and notifies the parties. No further pleadings follow the petition. The hearing itself is de novo, meaning the court considers the matter fresh, and there is no right to a jury.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I appeal a parking ticket assessment in Connecticut?
File a petition to open assessment with the clerk of the court within the statutory time limit, attach a copy of the notice of assessment, and send a copy to the municipality by certified mail.
Do I get a jury for a parking assessment appeal?
No. Section 23-51 specifically states there is no right to a hearing before a jury for these petitions.
Are there additional pleadings after I file the petition?
No. The rule states there shall be no pleadings subsequent to the petition.
What kind of hearing will I get on my petition?
The hearing is de novo, meaning the court reviews the assessment fresh rather than deferring to the municipality's prior decision.
Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 23-51). Prescribed by the Judges of the Superior Court of Connecticut (Conn. Gen. Stat. Section 51-14). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 9, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as: parking ticket appeal CT courtpetition to open assessment Connecticutcitation assessment appealmunicipal parking fine hearing