How to Fight Parking Tickets in the City of Brookline

Parking in the City of Brookline can be a challenge, and finding a spot only to realize later that you’ve been ticketed is never a fun experience. One of the more specific violations you might encounter is for parking "On Bridges or Approaches." While it might seem like a harmless place to leave your vehicle, especially if the bridge is short or wide, the city enforces this rule strictly where posted to keep traffic moving and ensure safety.

Why is this a violation? Bridges are often choke points in local infrastructure. They tend to be narrower than standard roads and often lack shoulders. When a car is parked on the bridge deck or the approach (the road leading immediately up to the bridge), it can force other drivers to swerve into oncoming traffic or create blind spots that are dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists. The "where posted" part of the violation is key here; the city acknowledges that not every bridge requires this restriction, but where signs are present, the rule is absolute.

The base fine for this violation is $25.00. While this might sound manageable compared to some other traffic violations, ignoring it is a bad idea. Brookline has a structured penalty system for late payments. If you haven't paid or contested the ticket within 21 days, a $10.00 late fee is added to the balance. If you let it slide past 42 days, the situation gets much more serious. An additional $40.00 penalty is applied, and the matter is referred to the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV). Once the RMV is involved, a non-renewal hold is placed on your vehicle registration, meaning you won't be able to renew your tags until all fines and fees are cleared.

Can you fight it? Yes, you can. Since the violation description specifically mentions "where posted," the most common angle for a dispute revolves around signage. If the signs prohibiting parking were missing, obscured by graffiti or overgrowth, or knocked down, you may have valid grounds for dismissal. Additionally, if your vehicle was disabled due to a mechanical emergency and you were unable to move it safely, providing documentation (like a tow receipt or repair bill) can sometimes help your case.

This is where Busted comes in. We understand that dealing with municipal paperwork is a headache. You don't need to download a mobile app to get this sorted; our Busted web app is designed to handle everything directly from your browser. Whether you want to pay the fine quickly to avoid those escalating fees or you believe the ticket was issued in error and want to fight it, we can help facilitate the process. We help you gather the right information and present your argument clearly to the City of Brookline.

While we cannot guarantee a dismissal—the final decision always rests with the city's parking clerk—using Busted ensures you are putting your best foot forward without the stress of navigating the bureaucratic maze alone. Don't let a $25 ticket turn into a registration nightmare; handle it promptly using our web-based tools.