You have 21 days from the issue date of a parking ticket in Oakland, CA. The issue date is the date written on the ticket; it is not the date that you saw the ticket.

The City of Oakland offers two Parking Ticket Payment Plans:

1) Income Driven Payment Plan, for individuals who receive public benefits and have verify low income status.
2) Traditional Payment Plan, that can help you avoid booting, towing, and registration problems.

You can get more information about them here. 

Failure to pay or challenge a ticket can lead to more fines. Your car may also get booted or towed. You will not be able to re-register your car until all tickets and fees are paid.

You have the following options to pay your Oakland City parking tickets: 

• Pay by Phone: You can call the Oakland City's 24/7 Parking Citation Assistance Center at (800) 500-6484 to pay with a credit or debit card.
  
• Pay by Mail: You can mail your ticket and a check or money order made to "City of Oakland" for the full amount to:
  
  Parking Citation Payment Processing Center
  PO Box 54916
  Los Angeles, CA 90054
  
  It is recommended that you always keep a copy of your ticket and check number for your records.
  
• Pay In Person: Walk in payments can be made at the Parking Citation Assistance Center located in the same plaza as Oakland City Hall. The address is:
  
  250 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Suite 6300
  Oakland, CA 94612
  
  The center accepts credit or debit card, check, money order and cash. They are open Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.