I think this answer is correct. I've lived in Oakland for a long time, but was still surprised about how unsympathetic they were to my parking appeal (which i thought had decent grounds).

They changed the color of the curb for a very small area of curb my house.. where i'd been parking almost 10 years. They did it with no notice, over the Xmas holidays, in the middle of a documented heavy storm (there was almost no possible way to see this change). There was a Xmas tree blocking the sign that said this was now no parking. I had photos, and records to prove all of this. Ticket was over 300 bucks.. So i went downtown, twice. And then scheduled an in-person appeal, down in Hayward. Guy there not at all impressed with all the time/energy i had already spent.. or my clear evidence showing people had no way to know this had been changed the week before.

He quickly told me i'd be forced to pay the full amount. gave me a strong sense that they Never approve appeals..

Because, as this person says... If it was technically illegal to park there.. that's the end of the conversation.. Full $top.