How to Fight Parking Tickets in the City of Cambridge
Storage (over 24 hours)
In the City of Cambridge, you are not allowed to leave your vehicle parked in the same spot on a public street for more than 24 consecutive hours. This rule applies to all drivers, including residents with valid parking permits, to prevent streets from being used for long-term vehicle storage.
Guide to Fighting City of Cambridge Storage (over 24 hours)
Getting a parking ticket in the City of Cambridge is practically a rite of passage for locals and visitors alike. One moment you think you have found the perfect spot to leave your car for a few days, and the next, you return to find a ticket tucked under your wiper. If that citation is for "Storage (over 24 hours)," you might be confused, especially if you were parked in a legal zone.
Here is the deal with the storage rule: Cambridge has a strict ordinance that prohibits vehicles from remaining in the same spot on a public street for more than 24 hours at a time. This applies even if you are parked directly in front of your own house with a valid resident parking permit. The city enforces this to prevent public streets from turning into long-term storage units for cars that aren't being used. It helps identifying abandoned vehicles and ensures that parking spots turn over so they remain available for other neighbors and visitors. Usually, parking enforcement officers track this by marking tires with chalk or scanning license plates to see if a car has moved.
The base fine for a storage violation is $25.00. While that might not sound like a budget-breaker compared to some other traffic violations, ignoring it is a bad idea. Cambridge is aggressive with late fees. If you do not pay or appeal the ticket within 21 days, a $10.00 late fee is added. If the ticket remains unpaid after 67 days, another $20.00 is tacked on. If you let it slide past 104 days, you get hit with an additional $40.00 fee. Suddenly, that manageable $25 ticket has ballooned into a significant expense, and you could eventually face the risk of having your vehicle booted or towed.
Can you fight it? Absolutely. Since Busted supports disputes for the City of Cambridge, it is worth checking if you have a valid defense. If you actually did move your car and simply returned to a nearby spot, the officer may have mistakenly assumed the vehicle never moved. Perhaps the chalk marks were misread, or you were unable to move the vehicle due to a documented medical emergency or mechanical failure. While there are no guarantees in the world of parking appeals, presenting a clear, evidence-based argument is always better than ignoring the fine.
Dealing with municipal websites or mailing in checks can be a hassle. That is where the Busted web app comes in. We have streamlined the process to make handling your parking tickets as painless as possible. You can use our platform to pay your fine securely or, if you believe the ticket was issued in error, we can help you assemble and submit your dispute. You answer a few questions about your situation, and we handle the paperwork. There is no need to download anything; just access Busted directly through your browser to get that ticket off your plate.
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. | $20.00 |
After 104 days Tickets must be paid or appealed within 21 days to avoid the first late fee. | $40.00 |