How to Fight Parking Tickets in the City of Brookline

Let’s face it, parking in the City of Brookline is competitive. Whether you are grabbing a coffee in Coolidge Corner or running errands in Brookline Village, finding a spot is a victory in itself. But returning to your car to find an Unpaid Meter violation on your windshield? That definitely ruins the vibe. While the base fine starts at a manageable $25.00, it is important to handle it quickly before it snowballs into a much larger headache.

So, why did you get this ticket? An Unpaid Meter citation is issued when a parking enforcement officer determines that the time on your meter has run out, or that payment wasn't made when you first parked. In Brookline, meters are strictly enforced to keep traffic moving and ensure spaces open up for local businesses. It might feel like they were waiting right next to your car for the minute hand to tick over, but usually, it is just a matter of bad timing on a busy patrol route.

The real danger lies in ignoring the ticket. Procrastination has a price tag here. If you wait longer than 21 days to pay or dispute, the city adds a $10.00 late fee. If you let it slide past 42 days, the situation gets serious: an additional $40.00 penalty is applied. Even worse, the violation gets reported to the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV), which places a hold on your registration renewal. Suddenly, a $25.00 ticket has become a significant financial burden that keeps your car off the road.

The good news is that you do not have to just accept it if you believe you were ticketed unfairly. Valid reasons for disputing an Unpaid Meter ticket often include broken meters that wouldn't accept payment, confusing or missing signage that didn't clearly state enforcement hours, or proof that you actually did pay (like a receipt or mobile payment confirmation) that covers the time the ticket was issued. If the meter was jammed or the screen was unreadable, the city needs to know.

This is where Busted comes in. You don't need to navigate the bureaucratic maze alone. Our web app streamlines the entire process for you. Just upload a photo of your ticket and answer a few simple questions about your situation. We can help you pay the fine instantly to avoid those nasty late fees, or we can help you assemble a dispute to send to the City of Brookline. While we can't guarantee a dismissal, we make the process approachable, logical, and stress-free.