How to Fight Parking Tickets in the City of Cambridge
Snow emergency
During a declared snow emergency in the City of Cambridge, parking is strictly prohibited on streets signed as 'No Parking During Snow Emergency' to allow plows to clear the roads. You must move your vehicle to a permitted off-street lot or a designated side street to avoid receiving a ticket and potentially being towed.
Guide to Fighting City of Cambridge Snow emergency
Winter in New England is beautiful, but parking in the City of Cambridge during a storm can quickly turn into a headache. If you have returned to your vehicle only to find a bright orange envelope tucked under your wiper blade—or worse, found an empty spot where your car used to be—you have likely run afoul of the city's Snow Emergency regulations. While a $40.00 base fine might seem manageable compared to other traffic violations, the costs and frustration can escalate quickly if you don't handle the situation promptly.
Snow Emergency tickets are issued because the city needs to clear major arteries for emergency vehicles, buses, and general traffic flow. When a snow emergency is declared, parking bans go into effect on signed streets. Unfortunately, it is easy to miss a sign when visibility is low, or to misjudge the timing of the ban declaration. The city is quite strict about these rules because a single parked car can disrupt the plowing schedule for an entire block.
However, receiving a ticket doesn't automatically mean you are out of options. There are several valid angles for disputing these citations. For instance, if the signage on your street was obscured by snow, foliage, or graffiti, you may have grounds for a dismissal. Similarly, if the ticket was issued before the ban officially went into effect or after it was lifted, you can contest the timestamp. Evidence is key here; photos of the scene and screenshots of official city announcements can bolster your case significantly.
It is crucial to act fast. The City of Cambridge imposes a strict timeline for payments and appeals. You have 21 days to either pay the fine or file a dispute. If you miss this window, a $10.00 late fee is added. Wait longer, and the penalties stack up: another $5.00 is added after 67 days, and a hefty $40.00 penalty kicks in after 104 days. This means your $40 ticket could eventually more than double in cost if ignored.
This is where Busted comes in. Our web app is designed to take the stress out of managing parking tickets. You don't need to download anything or navigate confusing municipal websites. Simply browse to our site, upload the details of your ticket, and let us help you handle the rest. If you believe the ticket was unfair, we can help you formulate your dispute letter and manage the submission process. If you prefer to just pay it and move on, we can facilitate that securely as well. While we cannot guarantee a dismissal, we can ensure your paperwork is professional, timely, and gives you the best possible chance of success without the headache.
Late fee schedule
| Timing | Fee |
|---|---|
21-67 days Tickets must be paid or appealed within 21 days to avoid the first late fee. | $10.00 |
67-104 days Tickets must be paid or appealed within 21 days to avoid the first late fee. | $5.00 |
After 104 days Tickets must be paid or appealed within 21 days to avoid the first late fee. | $40.00 |