How to Fight Parking Tickets in the City of Boston

Parking in Boston is known for being a competitive sport, but if you drive a commercial vehicle, the rules are even stricter. The "No Overnight Commercial Vehicles" violation is a common headache for contractors, business owners, and employees who bring their work vehicles home. Essentially, the city enforces this rule to keep residential streets clear of large work trucks and vans, aiming to preserve parking spots for residents and minimize noise in neighborhoods.

If you wake up to find an orange envelope on your windshield, you are looking at a $65.00 base fine. While it might not be the most expensive violation in the city's handbook, it is certainly enough to ruin your morning. It is important to address this quickly; ignoring the ticket won't make it go away. In fact, if the fine remains unpaid for 21 days after issuance, the City of Boston adds a $21.00 late penalty, turning a manageable expense into a much larger problem.

Why are these tickets issued? Parking enforcement officers patrol residential areas specifically looking for vehicles that display commercial lettering, have commercial license plates, or carry visible tools and racks. Even if you are parked directly in front of your own home, if the vehicle is deemed commercial and is on a public street during overnight hours, it is considered a violation.

However, you may have grounds to fight the ticket. Common dispute angles involve checking the signage and the timing. Was the street clearly marked with restrictions? Was the ticket issued outside of the specific overnight hours defined by the city? Additionally, if your vehicle does not strictly meet the definition of a commercial vehicle—despite perhaps looking like one—you may be able to contest the citation. Evidence is key, so photos of your vehicle and the surrounding signage are very helpful.

That is where Busted comes in. We know that dealing with municipal bureaucracy is time-consuming and frustrating. Our web app is designed to help you handle your Boston parking tickets without the stress. You do not need to download any software; everything can be managed directly through our website.

Since disputes are supported for this violation, you can use Busted to challenge the ticket. Simply answer a few questions about the situation and upload a photo of your citation. We can help you generate a dispute letter to send to the city. If you prefer to just pay the fine and move on, we can facilitate that as well. While we cannot guarantee a dismissal, using Busted gives you a straightforward, organized way to resolve the issue so you can get back to work.