How to Fight Parking Tickets in the City of Boston

Welcome to Charlestown, where the history is rich, the streets are narrow, and the parking enforcement is incredibly efficient. If you are reading this, chances are you returned to your car only to find a bright orange envelope tucked under your wiper blade. Specifically, a Street Cleaning violation. In the City of Boston, and particularly in Charlestown, keeping the streets clear for mechanical sweepers is a top priority for the Department of Transportation. Unfortunately for drivers, this results in one of the more expensive common parking fines in the city: a base penalty of $90.00.

These tickets are issued because mechanical sweepers cannot effectively clean the curbside if vehicles are blocking the way. The city operates on a specific schedule—often differing by side of the street—and enforcement officers are usually just a few blocks ahead of the sweeper trucks. The most common reason for this ticket is simply misreading the complex signage or assuming that because the sweeper has passed, it is safe to park. In Boston, the restriction applies for the entire posted time block, regardless of the sweeper's actual location.

However, getting a ticket doesn't always mean you have to pay it immediately. There are valid reasons to dispute a Street Cleaning violation. The most common angle for dismissal involves signage visibility. If the schedule sign was missing, knocked down, heavily obscured by graffiti, or hidden behind overgrown tree branches, you may have a case. Additionally, check the timestamp on your ticket against the posted signs. If the officer issued the citation one minute before the restriction started or one minute after it ended, the ticket is invalid. Clerical errors, such as the wrong make, model, or license plate number recorded on the ticket, can also be grounds for dismissal.

Ignoring the problem will only make it more expensive. If the fine remains unpaid for 21 days, the City of Boston adds a $30.00 late fee, turning a painful $90 ticket into a $120 headache. You also risk getting booted or towed if unpaid tickets accumulate.

This is where Busted comes in. You don't need to navigate the city's bureaucratic website alone. Our web app is designed to streamline the process of managing your parking citations. If you believe your ticket was issued unfairly, Busted can help you organize your evidence and submit a dispute letter to the City of Boston. If you know you were in the wrong and just want to get it over with, we can facilitate the payment for you securely. Just log in to the Busted web app, scan your ticket, and let us help you resolve this so you can get back to your day.