How to Fight Parking Tickets in the City of Somerville
Commercial Overnight
Commercial vehicles are generally prohibited from parking on public streets in Somerville during overnight hours to preserve space for residents. If your vehicle displays commercial plates or business markings and is parked on the street overnight, you may receive this citation. This rule helps prevent residential neighborhoods from becoming overflow parking lots for business fleets.
Guide to Fighting City of Somerville Commercial Overnight
Parking in Somerville is competitive enough without having to worry about specific restrictions for work vehicles. If you have walked out to your truck or van to find a "Commercial Overnight" ticket tucked under the wiper, you certainly aren't alone. This is a common enforcement tactic used by the city to keep residential streets clear of larger business vehicles during sleeping hours, ensuring that residents have priority for the limited curb space available.
The base fine for a Commercial Overnight violation is $50.00. While that might not seem exorbitant, ignoring the ticket is a dangerous game. Somerville employs a strict, tiered late fee structure that can double your costs quickly. If you fail to pay or request a hearing within 21 days, a $5.00 late fee is added. If the ticket remains unresolved for 42 days, a second late fee of $15.00 is applied. Finally, if you let it slide past 63 days, the Parking Clerk reports the non-payment to the Registrar of Motor Vehicles (RMV), resulting in a hefty $40.00 referral fee and a potential hold on your registration renewal.
Understanding why these tickets are issued is the first step in handling them. Generally, this rule applies to vehicles bearing commercial license plates or visible commercial markings—such as logos, business names, or phone numbers—parked on public streets during designated overnight hours. Even if you are just visiting a friend or parked in front of your own home, the commercial status of the vehicle triggers the violation.
However, valid disputes do exist. You might have grounds to contest the ticket if your vehicle is not actually a commercial vehicle (for example, if it has passenger plates and no commercial markings but was mistaken for a work truck). Other common dispute angles include obscured or missing signage regarding overnight restrictions, or proving that the vehicle was disabled due to a mechanical emergency and was awaiting a tow. In any dispute, clear photographic evidence and documentation are your best friends.
That is where Busted comes in to help. You don't need to waste time navigating confusing city websites or searching for a stamp to mail a check. Our web app streamlines the entire resolution process. Whether you decide to pay the fine immediately to avoid those escalating late fees or want to submit a dispute with your evidence, Busted handles the logistics for you. Simply log on to our website, upload your ticket information, and let us manage the paperwork. It is a modern, stress-free way to resolve your Somerville parking tickets so you can get back to work.
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 |