How to Fight Parking Tickets in the City of Providence
Parking within twenty-five (25) feet of corner
In Providence, you are prohibited from parking your vehicle within twenty-five (25) feet of a street corner or intersection. This rule is designed to maintain clear sightlines for drivers turning onto the street and to ensure pedestrians remain visible to traffic. Parking closer than this distance is considered a safety hazard and is strictly enforced.
Guide to Fighting City of Providence Parking within twenty-five (25) feet of corner
Parking in Providence can be a competitive sport, especially in neighborhoods like Federal Hill or the East Side where street space is at a premium. However, squeezing into that last spot near the end of the block can often lead to a frustrating discovery on your windshield: a violation for parking within twenty-five (25) feet of a corner. While it might look like a viable spot to you, the city enforces this buffer zone strictly to ensure safety.
Why does this rule exist? It isn't just about limiting parking; it is primarily about visibility and turning radius. When a car is parked right up to the edge of an intersection, it blocks the view for drivers trying to turn onto the street. It also creates a blind spot for pedestrians stepping off the curb. Furthermore, larger vehicles like fire trucks, buses, and snowplows need that extra clearance to make wide turns without clipping parked cars. If you are within that 25-foot zone, you are technically an obstruction.
The financial consequences of this ticket are designed to encourage prompt action. The base fine for parking too close to a corner is $52.00. While that is already an annoyance, the real danger lies in the late fees. Providence has an aggressive escalation structure for unpaid tickets. If you do not pay the fine or enter a not-guilty plea before the 14th day after the violation, the fine doubles to $104.00. If it remains unresolved past the 28th day, the fine triples to a staggering $156.00. Ignoring this ticket for a month turns a moderate fine into a significant expense.
If you believe the ticket was issued in error, there are a few common angles people use to dispute these citations directly with the city. The most common defense is measurement. Parking enforcement officers usually estimate distance, but if you can prove with photos and a tape measure that your bumper was actually 26 feet or more from the corner, you may have a case. Additionally, check for signage. While the 25-foot rule is a general ordinance that applies even without signs, conflicting signage (like a "Parking Allowed" sign placed within that zone) can sometimes be grounds for dismissal.
However, if you know you were too close to the intersection, the smartest move is to settle the debt before the price skyrockets. While Busted does not currently support disputing this specific violation in Providence, our web app is the fastest and most reliable way to handle the payment. We ensure your payment is processed correctly so you don't have to worry about mail delays or clunky city websites. There is no need to download a mobile app; you can pay your ticket instantly through our secure web portal. Don't let a $52 mistake turn into a $156 headache—clear it up today and get back to your week.
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. | $104.00 |
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. | $156.00 |