How to Fight Parking Tickets in the City of Boston

Driving in Boston is a sport, but finding a legal place to park is a whole other league. If you have returned to your car only to find an orange envelope tucked under the wiper, you aren't alone. A "No Stopping or Standing" violation is one of the more frustrating tickets to receive because it feels incredibly strict. Even if you were just pulling over to check your GPS, drop off a friend, or answer a quick phone call, the City of Boston does not make many exceptions for this specific rule.

So, what exactly does this violation mean? Unlike a "No Parking" zone where you might get away with idling while loading groceries or waiting for a passenger, "No Stopping or Standing" is absolute. It essentially means that if your wheels aren't turning, you are breaking the law. It usually does not matter if your hazard lights were on, if the engine was still running, or if you were sitting in the driver's seat the whole time. The city designates these zones to keep traffic flowing freely, usually near intersections, fire hydrants, or on narrow, busy thoroughfares where a stopped car causes immediate gridlock.

The financial sting of this violation is real. The base fine for a No Stopping or Standing ticket in Boston is $90.00. While that hurts the wallet, ignoring it makes the situation significantly worse. If the fine remains unpaid for 21 days after the notice is issued, the city assesses a $25.00 late penalty. That turns a painful $90 ticket into a $115 headache very quickly. It is always in your best interest to address the ticket immediately, either by paying it or contesting it if you believe it was issued in error.

Is it worth fighting? That depends entirely on the circumstances. While the rule is strict, parking enforcement officers are human and can make mistakes. Common angles for disputing these tickets often involve signage issues. If the "No Stopping" sign was obscured by a tree branch, covered in graffiti, knocked down, or simply missing from the specific block where you parked, you might have a valid case. Additionally, check the ticket closely for factual errors. If the officer wrote down the wrong license plate number, or the wrong make and model of your vehicle, the ticket might be invalid. Evidence is key here, so photos of the scene and the signage are your best friend when building a defense.

If you want to handle this without the stress of navigating the city's municipal site alone, the Busted web app is here to help. We can assist you in contesting the ticket if you have valid evidence, or we can help you pay the fine securely if you would rather just move on. Our platform is designed to make the process as smooth as possible. While we cannot guarantee a dismissal—parking authorities have the final say—we can ensure your dispute is presented clearly and professionally. Just log in to our website to get started and get that ticket off your mind.