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Code Violation Notice Policy

SEPTA is dedicated to providing safe and clean service for riders and employees. One of the ways SEPTA does this is by reinstating an enforcement policy for quality-of-life violations as part of an effort to discourage incidents, focus on repeat offenders, and enhance the customer experience. SEPTA Transit Police will issue Code Violation Notices (CVNs) for some of those low-level crimes, including alcohol consumption, public urination, smoking, littering, and other offenses.

The policy replaces the Administrative Enforcement Notice as of July 1, 2024.

The Code Violation Notice

SEPTA Transit Police issues a ticket to the offender and forwards a copy of the ticket to the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Administrative Review (OAR). Fines range from $25 to $150 for each offense.

There are two options to respond to a Code Violation Notice:

Pay the Fine

The envelope attached to the Notice can be mailed to the City of Philadelphia. It can also be paid at the Violations Branch, 913 Filbert Street, or pay by web at phila.gov.

If payment is not received within 10 calendar days, offenders are subject to additional penalties. OAR tracks unpaid fines and chronic offenders will be banned from entering SEPTA property.

Attend a Hearing

Offenders have the option to request a court date. You will be notified of the date, time, and location to appear and present a statement challenging the facts related to the issuance of the notice and fine.

The hearing officer will have the authority to uphold or nullify the notice.

Failure to pay or contest a violation may result in the filing of a Code Enforcement Complaint in Municipal Court. The Court can impose up to a maximum fine of $300, plus Court costs.

A chronic offender is a person who receives four violations and/or does not pay the fines. When you get your fourth Code Violation Notice, the Transit Officer will inform you of a SEPTA system ban, which includes property and services.

This ban can be appealed by requesting and appearing at a scheduled hearing. If you violate the ban, you will be arrested for a misdemeanor defiant trespass.

The ban will be in effect for one year from the point of notification. For chronic offenders who may be struggling with poverty, homelessness, addiction, or mental health issues, the solution will focus on the delivery of social service assistance.