How to Fight Parking Tickets in the City of Boston
Meter Fee Unpaid
This violation occurs when you park at a metered space in Boston without paying the required fee or allowing your paid time to expire. It applies to both single-space meters and multi-space pay stations where you must display a receipt or pay via a mobile system. To avoid this, you must ensure your parking session is active for the entire time your vehicle occupies the spot.
Guide to Fighting City of Boston Meter Fee Unpaid
Parking in Boston is practically a competitive sport. Between the narrow one-way streets of the North End and the bustling avenues of Back Bay, finding a spot is a victory in itself. However, that victory is short-lived if you return to your car to find an orange envelope tucked under your wiper blade. If you are reading this, you likely received a citation for "Meter Fee Unpaid." While it is one of the most common parking violations in the city, dealing with it promptly is essential to keeping your wallet happy.
Understanding the Violation
The "Meter Fee Unpaid" ticket is exactly what it sounds like: the enforcement officer determined that the time on your meter had expired, or you never paid to begin with. In Boston, meter regulations are strictly enforced to encourage parking turnover, ensuring that customers can access local businesses. The base fine for this violation is $40.00. While this might not seem like a budget-destroyer initially, ignoring it is a bad idea. If the fine remains unpaid for 21 days after issuance, the City of Boston adds a penalty of $8.00. Furthermore, accumulating multiple unpaid tickets can lead to the dreaded parking boot or towing, which costs significantly more in time and money.
Can You Dispute It?
Yes, you can dispute a meter ticket, and sometimes it is worth the effort. Boston parking enforcement is generally efficient, but they aren't infallible. There are a few common angles for contesting this specific violation:
Broken Meters: If the meter was physically broken or the screen was unreadable, you might have a case. You usually need to report the broken meter immediately, but if you have a photo of the defect, it serves as strong evidence.
Payment App Errors: Many Bostonians use mobile payment options. If you paid via an app but still got a ticket, check your receipt. Did you enter the wrong zone number? Did you mistype your license plate? While the city isn't obligated to forgive user error, providing proof of payment for that specific time slot can sometimes result in a dismissal as a one-time courtesy.
Signage Issues: If the meter regulations were obscured or contradictory signage made it unclear that payment was required at that time, photographic evidence of the scene is your best friend.
How Busted Can Help
Dealing with municipal websites and bureaucratic appeals processes can be a headache. That is where the Busted web app comes in. We have streamlined the process of managing your parking citations. Instead of navigating confusing city portals, you can use our web-based platform to handle your ticket.
When you use Busted, we help you analyze the ticket details. If you believe the ticket was issued in error, our system can help you formulate a dispute letter based on the specific regulations of the City of Boston. We guide you on what evidence to upload—like photos of the meter or screenshots of your payment receipt—to strengthen your case. If disputing isn't the right path or if the appeal is denied, you can also pay the fine directly through our secure web interface. We handle the logistics so you can get back to navigating the city.
Late fee schedule
| Timing | Fee |
|---|---|
After 21 days A penalty of $8 shall be assessed if the fine remains unpaid 21 days after issuance of a notice of such violation. | $8.00 |