How to Fight Parking Tickets in the City of Providence
Parking on marked crosswalk or within intersection
In Providence, it is illegal to park your vehicle on top of a marked crosswalk or within the boundaries of an intersection. This rule applies even if you are only partially blocking the area or if you are just stopping for a few minutes. Keeping these areas clear is strictly enforced to ensure pedestrians can cross the street safely and other vehicles can turn without obstruction.
Guide to Fighting City of Providence Parking on marked crosswalk or within intersection
Parking in Providence can be a challenge, especially when you are circling the block looking for that perfect spot near your destination. However, trying to squeeze into a space at the end of a block often leads to one of the most common and expensive violations in the city: parking on a marked crosswalk or within an intersection. The city enforces this strictly because blocking these areas forces pedestrians into traffic and prevents other drivers from navigating turns safely.
Tickets for this violation are usually issued when any part of your vehicle—even just the bumper or a tire—is encroaching on the painted lines of a crosswalk or sitting past the curb line into the intersection. It doesn't matter if the rest of the car is legally parked; if you are obstructing the pedestrian path or the flow of traffic at the corner, you are liable for a citation. Parking enforcement officers in Providence are vigilant about this, as it is a major safety concern.
If you are considering fighting this ticket on your own, there are a few standard angles people typically explore. The most common defense involves the visibility of the markings. If the crosswalk paint was completely worn away or covered by snow and ice, you might have a case. Another potential angle is if your vehicle was disabled due to a mechanical emergency, requiring you to abandon it temporarily. However, keep in mind that crosswalks at intersections are legally protected even if they aren't freshly painted, so this can be a tough battle to win with the city directly.
The most critical thing to know about Providence parking tickets is the aggressive late fee structure. The city does not hesitate to increase the financial pain if you delay. The base fine for blocking a crosswalk is $102.00, which is already steep. However, if that fine remains unpaid after 14 days, it doubles to $204.00. If you let it slide past 28 days, the fine triples to a staggering $306.00. Ignoring this ticket is one of the most expensive mistakes you can make.
Since Busted does not currently support disputing this specific violation in Providence, your best strategy is often to handle the payment immediately to avoid those doubling and tripling penalties. If you don't have a concrete defense to present to the city, clearing the debt is the smartest financial move. You can use the Busted web app to pay your citation securely and instantly. Our platform is designed to help you settle your fines without the hassle of mailing checks or navigating confusing municipal websites. Just look up your ticket and pay it off in seconds so you can get on with your day.
Late fee schedule
| Timing | Fee |
|---|---|
14-28 days In the event any of the foregoing stated fines are not paid or a plea of not guilty to the citation is entered prior to the fourteenth day after date of violation, said fines shall be doubled. | $204.00 |
After 28 days In the event any of the foregoing stated fines are not paid or a plea of not guilty to the citation is entered subsequent to the fourteenth day and prior to the twenty-eighth day after date of violations, said fines shall be tripled. | $306.00 |