How to Fight Parking Tickets in the City of Cambridge
Street cleaning
Street cleaning in Cambridge typically runs from April through December, requiring residents and visitors to move their vehicles to accommodate street sweepers during posted hours. If you park on the designated side of the street during these times, you are subject to a significant fine and a high probability of being towed. Always check the nearest signs or the city's online schedule to confirm parking is permitted before walking away from your car.
Guide to Fighting City of Cambridge Street cleaning
Parking in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is already a competitive sport, but street cleaning season adds a whole new layer of complexity. From April through December, the city aggressively sweeps streets to keep the neighborhood clean, and they have very little patience for vehicles that get in the way. If you’ve returned to your car only to find a bright orange envelope tucked under the wiper—or worse, an empty spot where your car used to be—you aren't alone. The base fine for a street cleaning violation is $100.00, making it one of the steeper parking penalties in the area.
These tickets are issued because street sweepers are large, cumbersome machines that cannot clean the curb if a car is blocking the way. To enforce this, the city doesn't just issue fines; they frequently tow vehicles to ensure the sweepers can pass. While the goal is cleanliness, the signage can sometimes be confusing, obscured by foliage, or inconsistent with the actual sweeping schedule. This confusion often leads to honest mistakes by drivers who thought they were parked legally.
However, just because you received a ticket doesn't mean you are automatically out of luck. There are valid reasons to dispute a street cleaning citation. Common angles for an appeal include lack of proper signage (if the sign was missing, knocked down, or graffiti-covered), conflicting information between signs and online schedules, or factual errors on the ticket itself, such as the wrong license plate number or vehicle color. Additionally, if your car was disabled and waiting for a tow, providing proof of that service can sometimes serve as a valid defense.
It is crucial to act quickly. Cambridge imposes a strict timeline for payments and appeals. If you do not pay or appeal the ticket within 21 days, a $10.00 late fee is added. Wait longer, and the penalties stack up: an additional $15.00 is added after 67 days, and another $40.00 is tacked on after 104 days. Ignoring the ticket won't make it go away; it just makes it significantly more expensive.
If you believe your ticket was issued unfairly, the Busted web app is here to help you manage the process. We help you gather the necessary details and formulate a professional dispute letter to send to the City of Cambridge. While we cannot guarantee a dismissal, our platform simplifies the paperwork and ensures your argument is presented clearly. If you prefer to simply pay the fine and move on, you can also handle that securely through our web interface. Don't let a $100 mistake ruin your week—handle it efficiently with Busted.
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. | $15.00 |
After 104 days Tickets must be paid or appealed within 21 days to avoid the first late fee. | $40.00 |