The City of Perth says it will withdraw parking fines issued to hundreds of people who attended the Anzac Day dawn service in Kings Park on Wednesday, following a deluge of criticism.

Tens of thousands of people had gathered at the State War Memorial for the annual service, only for hundreds to return to their nearby parked vehicles afterwards to discover they had been issued with $200 fines for parking illegally.

One of those fined was Alan Nelson, 75, who told ABC Radio Perth he and his 86-year-old wheelchair-bound wife parked on nearby Ord Street, and was shocked to find their car and dozens more on the street received tickets.

He said he had thought it was a valid spot to park.

"It was half past three in the morning and there were other cars parked in front of us and beside us," he said.

"The lady told us that they towed a lot of cars away and every car in that street got a ticket."

With his wife in a wheelchair, Alan Nelson parked in what he thought was an ordinary spot, but was hit with a fine. ( Supplied: Sean Pengilly )

RSL calls tickets 'disgraceful'

RSLWA president Peter Aspinall said the issuing of parking tickets was disgraceful and echoed calls for them to be cancelled.

He said in future the City of Perth should make it far more clear where people could and could not park.

"The parking opportunities around Kings Park were obviously quite difficult and to think at four o'clock in the morning people are going to be penalised, on such a day, quite frankly I think is disgraceful."

Brendan Fisher told the ABC he had been going to the dawn service for the past six years and parked in the same spot, only this year temporary "no parking" signs were set up.

Brendan Fisher found this parking ticket on his car after the dawn service. April 25, 2018 ( Supplied: Brendan Fisher )

Mr Fisher conceded he had ignored the signs, but said he was still a little shocked so many people were fined.

"There's not much I can do as I'm in the wrong, but it's pathetic to target people paying their respect to the Anzacs," he said.

Council defends dawn service parking crackdown

WA Deputy Premier Roger Cook said he understood the City of Perth's position, but questioned the need to issue fines on Anzac Day.

"I understand the City of Perth has a job to do in relation to parking fines, but people have come out today to acknowledge the human sacrifice and individuals who have served this country," he said.

"Obviously we would like a situation where people weren't slugged a fine for parking illegally, particularly if it's not getting in anyone's way.

"We don't want people to park dangerously and inconvenience others unnecessarily, but this is a great day and we don't want it to be sullied with fines being handed out."

Tens of thousands attended Kings Park for the dawn service. ( ABC News: Andrea Mayes )

In a statement late on Wednesday, the City of Perth said inspectors had used their discretion in handing out infringements, which were issued to vehicles parked in "clearly identified tow-away zones only".

However, it said "given the circumstances, fines issued will not be enforced".

"The city has liaised with event organiser RSLWA to ensure traffic management plans are clearer for residents and visitors attending future Anzac Day events in the city," the statement said.

"Traffic management plans are an important security measure, as has been highlighted through recent incidents overseas, and are set up with the intended purpose of protecting the public."