How to Fight Parking Tickets in the City of Boston

Parking in Boston is rarely a walk in the park. Between the narrow one-way streets, resident-only zones, and aggressive enforcement, finding a spot feels like a victory in itself. However, coming back to your car only to find an orange ticket tucked under your wiper blade can ruin your day in an instant. If that ticket says "Over Posted Limit," you aren't alone. This is one of the most common non-resident parking violations in the city, designed to keep traffic moving and ensure that curb space turns over for local businesses.

So, what exactly happened? Essentially, you overstayed your welcome. Boston parking zones often have strict time limits—usually two hours in commercial areas—regardless of whether you paid the meter. Many drivers mistakenly believe that as long as they keep feeding the meter via coins or an app, they are safe. Unfortunately, that is not the case. The time limit is a hard cap on how long your vehicle can physically occupy that stretch of road. Parking enforcement officers monitor this by chalking tires or, more commonly now, using digital license plate recognition to log how long a car has been stationary. If you are logged at 1:00 PM and seen again at 3:05 PM in a two-hour zone, you are getting a ticket.

The financial damage for an Over Posted Limit violation in the City of Boston is currently $40.00. While this might not break the bank, it is an annoyance you don't need. It is also important to act relatively quickly. If the fine remains unpaid for 21 days after the issuance date, the city tacks on an $8.00 late fee. Ignore it longer, and the penalties can escalate, eventually leading to a boot on your car or a hold on your registration renewal.

The good news is that you have options. You don't have to simply accept the fine if you believe it was issued in error. Valid disputes often revolve around signage visibility. Was the time limit sign obscured by a tree branch, covered in graffiti, or missing entirely? Were there conflicting signs on the same pole that made the rules impossible to understand? Additionally, factual errors on the ticket itself—like the officer noting the wrong paint color or an incorrect license plate digit—can sometimes be grounds for dismissal. Evidence is your best friend here, so photos of the car and the surrounding signage are crucial.

This is where Busted can help. We know that dealing with municipal websites and confusing dispute forms is a headache. Our web app streamlines the entire process for you. Since we support disputes for the City of Boston, you can use Busted to organize your evidence and submit your challenge. We guide you through the necessary steps to present a clear, professional argument to the parking authority. If you decide that you were technically in the wrong and just want to get it over with, you can also securely pay your fine through our platform. While we cannot guarantee a dismissal, we can ensure your case is presented effectively, saving you time and stress.