Citations & Fees

Think your citation was issued in error? You’ve got five business days to appeal from the issue date. 

• Electronic citation: Use the link in your citation email. 
• Paper citation: Email muparking@missouri.edu with your citation number in the subject line (e.g., “Appeal for traffic citation P1234567”). 

Note: You can’t appeal a citation once your car’s been barnacled or towed. Appeals take up to six business days. If your appeal is denied, a $5 fee will be added to your citation. 

For certain parking citations, you may donate 15 full-sized, nonperishable items to Tiger Pantry instead of paying your citation. Check the “What Tickets Qualify for Donations” section below to see if your ticket is eligible. 

Donation guidelines: 

• No travel-sized items 

• Don’t open or split multi-packs. All items must be sealed and in their original packaging for safety and distribution. 

Who can donate? Anyone including students, faculty, staff and visitors. You can use this option for up to three eligible tickets per fiscal year (July 1-June 30), with up to $40 waived per ticket. 

Please note: 

• If your fees are higher than $40, only $40 can be waived with a donation.
• Citations that are under appeal aren’t eligible for donation. 

To use the donation for citations option for a parking ticket, your citation must meet these requirements: 

1. It must be a “No Permission,” “Permission Does Not Apply” or “Overtime Parking” ticket.
2. It cannot be under appeal.
3. Tickets with excessive fees or vehicles that were barnacled or towed aren’t eligible for appeal or donations. 

What to donate: 

You can donate 15 full-sized items from the list below: 

• Ready-to-eat canned soups
• Canned fruit 
• Toiletries
• Hygiene products such as tampons, pantiliners, sanitary protection and wipes
• Grains such as pasta or rice 

OR  

You can donate three meals per qualifying citation. Each meal kit should include: 

• One can of vegetables (e.g., tomatoes, chickpeas, artichokes)
• One can of protein (e.g., tuna, chicken)
• One can of fruit (e.g., peaches, pineapple, fruit cocktail)
• One grain item (e.g., bag of rice or box of pasta) 

How to donate: 

Bring your items to the Parking & Transportation office within five days of getting your citation. Staff will take your donation and clear the qualifying ticket.   

Three citations or more? You’ll get a $25 excessive violation fee on any additional citation and your vehicle also may be impounded (Find information about Tiger Towing). And if violations continue, your vehicle could get a Barnacle, which is a plastic device that blocks your windshield.

If you’ve come back to your vehicle only to find a big yellow device stuck to your windshield, you’ve met the Barnacle, which is a high-tech parking clamp. It is often used when a car racks up multiple unpaid violations but could also be used on your first parking offense. 
 
What’s a Barnacle? 
It’s a large plastic device placed on your windshield that blocks your view — i.e., your car’s not going anywhere until it’s removed. 

Why is it on my car? 
Barnacles are often used when a vehicle racks up multiple parking violations but they also may be used on your first parking offense. 

How do I get it off? 

1. Call the number listed on the Barnacle. 

2. Follow the steps to pay your outstanding fees. 

3. Once complete, you’ll be able to remove it and return it to a drop-off location. 

What if I ignore it? 

Barnacles are motion-sensitive. If you try to drive off or force it off without paying, an alarm will sound and GPS tracking kicks in. It is considered a criminal offense to forcibly remove a Barnacle without payment and also to keep a Barnacle, both actions that may result in conduct proceedings for students.  Barnacles that are not removed within 24 hours run the risk of being towed and impounded, with additional fees assigned. 
 
Where do I return it? 
Use the 24/7 drop-off box outside: 
 
Parking & Transportation 
121 General Services Building 
900 Stadium Blvd. 
Columbia, MO 65211 

The MU Police Department also may issue citations for moving violations. These can be paid through your parking account. 

Note: MU Police can issue University of Missouri, City of Columbia or State of Missouri tickets. It’s your responsibility to determine the issuing agency and take appropriate action. Call 573-882-7201 with questions.