How to Fight Parking Tickets in the City of Somerville
Construction Zone (Posted)
You received this ticket because you parked in an area temporarily designated for construction work, which was marked by posted signs. These zones are strictly enforced to ensure safety and access for workers and heavy machinery, often overriding the usual parking regulations for that street.
Guide to Fighting City of Somerville Construction Zone (Posted)
Parking in Somerville is effectively a competitive sport, and just when you think you have found a legal spot, a construction project changes the rules. If you returned to your vehicle to find a ticket for a "Construction Zone (Posted)" violation, you are likely frustrated and confused. These tickets are issued when a vehicle blocks an area that has been temporarily reserved for roadwork, utility maintenance, or building construction.
Typically, the City of Somerville or authorized contractors will place temporary "No Parking" signs on utility poles, A-frames, or barricades to mark these zones. The base fine for this violation is $50.00. While that might not seem like a budget-breaker immediately, the city is very aggressive with penalties if you ignore it. It is important to address the ticket quickly, whether you plan to pay it or fight it.
Why these tickets happen
The most common reason drivers get these tickets is inadequate or confusing signage. Sometimes signs are posted at the last minute, or they are blown over by the wind. In other cases, the handwritten dates on the cardboard signs are illegible or ambiguous. If you parked at night when no work was visible, you might have assumed the restriction wasn't active, only to be ticketed when the crew arrived early the next morning.
Potential dispute angles
Because these zones rely on temporary signage, they are often the easiest tickets to dispute if the city failed to mark the area clearly. When you use the Busted web app to contest this ticket, we look for specific details in your defense:
- Missing Signage: Was there actually a sign visible from where you parked? If the sign was down the block or obscured by a tree, you may have grounds for dismissal.
- Fallen Signs: It is common for temporary signs to be knocked over. If the sign was face-down on the sidewalk, you couldn't have known about the restriction.
- Ambiguous Dates/Times: Did the sign say "Monday-Friday" and you were ticketed on a Saturday? Or were the dates faded and unreadable?
Watch out for late fees
Somerville has a tiered late fee structure that can turn a $50 ticket into a much larger headache. If you do not pay or request a hearing within 21 days, a $5.00 late fee is added. If the ticket remains unpaid after 42 days, a second late fee of $15.00 is tacked on.
The real danger comes after 63 days. At this point, the Parking Clerk notifies the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) of non-payment. This triggers a $40.00 RMV referral fee and prevents you from renewing your registration or license until the debt is cleared. That means your $50.00 ticket could end up costing you $110.00 plus the hassle of dealing with the RMV.
Resolve it with Busted
You don't need to navigate the City of Somerville's bureaucracy alone. You can handle everything through the Busted web app directly in your browser. If you believe the ticket was issued unfairly, we can help you generate a dispute letter and mail it to the city on your behalf. If you prefer to just settle the fine and move on, we can facilitate the payment securely. Our goal is to save you time and stress, helping you resolve the violation before those late fees kick in.
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 |