How to Fight Parking Tickets in the City of Brookline

Getting a parking ticket in Brookline is never the highlight of anyone's day, especially when it is for something as momentary as double parking. We have all been there: you just need to dash into a store for ten seconds, so you pull up alongside a parked car, flip on your hazard lights, and hope for the best. Unfortunately, in the City of Brookline, that hope often turns into a $30.00 violation.

Double parking is officially defined as parking a vehicle on the roadway side of any vehicle stopped or parked at the edge or curb of a street. Essentially, if you are blocking the lane of travel or preventing a parked car from leaving, you are double parked. The city enforces this strictly to keep traffic moving and to ensure emergency vehicles can pass through narrow streets without obstruction. It is important to know that keeping your engine running or using your hazard lights does not exempt you from this rule; in fact, hazard lights are often viewed by parking enforcement officers as an admission that you know you are parked illegally.

While the base fine of $30.00 might seem manageable, ignoring the ticket makes it much more expensive very quickly. Brookline has a tiered penalty system that is strictly enforced. If the payment is not received within 21 days, a $10.00 late fee is added to the total. If you let it slide for 42 days, the situation gets significantly worse: an additional $40.00 penalty is applied, bringing the total considerably higher than the original fine. Furthermore, the matter is referred to the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV). Once it hits the RMV, they can place a non-renewal hold on your registration, meaning you will not be able to renew your tags until all fines and penalties are paid.

The good news is that you have options. If you believe the ticket was issued in error, you have the right to dispute it. While double parking is harder to contest than some other violations, there are valid angles for appeal. These might include a documented mechanical failure where your car broke down and could not be moved, a verifiable medical emergency, or if the ticket itself contains significant factual errors regarding your vehicle's make or license plate number. Evidence is key, so photos of the scene or repair receipts are vital for a successful dispute.

That is where Busted comes in. Our web app is designed to help you handle these citations without the headache of navigating complex city websites or mailing in checks. You can manage the entire process directly through your browser. If you have grounds to contest the ticket, Busted can help you organize your appeal and submit the necessary details. If you would rather just pay it and move on before those late fees kick in, we handle that too. Using the Busted web app ensures your ticket is handled correctly and helps you avoid the stress of dealing with the RMV later on.