How to Fight Parking Tickets in the City of Boston

Parking in Boston is rarely a walk in the park. Between the narrow streets, the confusing signage, and the aggressive enforcement, finding a spot can feel like a victory in itself. However, that victory is short-lived when you return to your car to find an orange envelope tucked under your wiper blade. If your ticket reads "Meter Violation (Not a legal space—violation)," you might be scratching your head. You probably saw a meter, and you might have even paid it, so what gives?

This specific violation is a bit different from a standard expired meter ticket. It usually means that while a meter is physically present, the spot itself was not open for business. This often happens when meters are "bagged" (covered with a canvas or plastic hood) for construction, moving trucks, or special events. It can also happen if the meter is broken and labeled as out of order, or if the space creates a hazard despite the meter being there. Essentially, the City of Boston is saying that the space was temporarily or permanently decommissioned, and you weren't supposed to park there.

The good news is that the base fine for this violation is relatively low at $20.00. However, ignoring it is a bad idea. If the fine remains unpaid for 21 days after issuance, the city slaps on a $6.00 late penalty. While that might not sound like much, these fees can compound and lead to registration blocks if left unresolved for too long.

Can you fight it? Absolutely. Because this violation often depends on temporary conditions, evidence is your best friend. Common dispute angles involve lack of notice. For example, if the meter bag was torn off or missing, you had no way of knowing the space was restricted. Similarly, if the signage indicating a temporary suspension was obscured or knocked down, you may have valid grounds for dismissal. Photos of the meter (showing no bag) and the wider street view (showing no signs) are critical evidence.

That is where the Busted web app comes in. We know that dealing with the City of Boston's parking clerk is the last thing you want to do with your free time. You don't need to download anything; simply navigate to our website to get started. You can manage the entire process from your browser.

If you believe the ticket was issued in error, you can use Busted to submit your dispute evidence. We help format your appeal and ensure it gets to the right people. If you'd rather just pay the $20 and move on with your life, our web app handles that securely and instantly, ensuring you don't get hit with that annoying $6 late fee. We handle the bureaucracy so you can get back to driving.