How to Fight Parking Tickets in the City of Somerville
At Traffic Island / Safety Zone
A traffic island or safety zone is a designated area on the road, often marked by raised curbs or painted diagonal lines, intended to guide traffic flow or protect pedestrians. Parking in these areas is strictly prohibited in Somerville because it blocks visibility and endangers other road users. You can be ticketed even if your vehicle is only partially encroaching on the markings.
Guide to Fighting City of Somerville At Traffic Island / Safety Zone
Let’s face it: navigating the streets of Somerville can feel like an obstacle course, and finding a legal parking spot often feels like the final boss battle. If you have returned to your car only to find a ticket tucked under your wiper for a "Traffic Island / Safety Zone" violation, you are likely frustrated. It is a specific infraction that catches many drivers off guard, but understanding why it happened is the first step to sorting it out.
So, what exactly counts as a traffic island or safety zone? In Somerville, these are specific areas on the roadway constructed or marked to channel traffic or provide a refuge for pedestrians. They might be raised concrete curbs, or they might simply be painted lines on the pavement—often diagonal yellow or white stripes. The city enforces this strictly because blocking these areas, even partially, can obscure sightlines for other drivers at intersections or force pedestrians into dangerous traffic flow. Because Somerville streets are often narrow and densely packed, these safety zones are critical for maintaining order. The base fine for this infraction is currently $50.00.
Is it worth fighting? Since Busted supports disputes for the City of Somerville, you might have a case depending on the specific circumstances of your violation. Common angles for contesting this specific ticket often revolve around visibility and signage. For example, was the paint on the safety zone faded to the point of being invisible? Was the traffic island covered in snow, leaves, or debris, making it indistinguishable from a legal parking spot? If you were forced to stop due to a documented mechanical breakdown or a medical emergency, that provides another potential avenue for appeal. Evidence is your best friend here, so clear photos of the faded markings or the specific positioning of your vehicle are crucial for a successful dispute.
However, ignoring the ticket is the only strategy guaranteed to fail. Somerville has a tiered late fee system that kicks in relatively quickly. If you do not pay or request a hearing within 21 days, a $5.00 late fee is added to your balance. Let it slide past 42 days, and another $15.00 piles on. If the ticket remains unresolved after 63 days, the Parking Clerk notifies the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV), triggering a hefty $40.00 referral fee. This also results in a "non-renewal" mark on your license and registration. That original $50 ticket can turn into a much bigger financial headache very fast.
That is where the Busted web app comes in to help. We believe dealing with parking tickets shouldn't ruin your week. Whether you want to pay the fine quickly to avoid those escalating penalties or you believe you have valid grounds to dispute the ticket, our platform streamlines the process. You do not need to download anything; just access our web app directly through your browser. We help you organize your information, upload your evidence, and submit your plea. While we cannot guarantee a dismissal, we can certainly make the administrative side of things much less painful and help you stay on top of deadlines.
Late fee schedule
| Timing | Fee |
|---|---|
21-42 days First late fee > 21 days unpaid and no hearing requested | $5.00 |
42-63 days Second late fee 21 days after the mailed notice if still unpaid (or no hearing request) | $15.00 |
After 63 days RMV referral fee - when Parking Clerk reports non-payment to Registrar of Motor Vehicles | $40.00 |