How to Fight Parking Tickets in the City of Somerville
High School Concourse
The High School Concourse regulation in Somerville restricts parking in specific areas surrounding the high school to ensure safety and traffic flow for students and staff. Violations occur when vehicles park in these designated zones without the proper authorization, permit, or outside of permitted hours.
Guide to Fighting City of Somerville High School Concourse
Parking in Somerville is rarely a walk in the park, and finding a ticket on your windshield near the high school can definitely ruin your day. If you have received a citation for a "High School Concourse" violation, you are not alone. This specific rule is designed to keep the area around Somerville High School clear for buses, staff, and student safety, but the restrictions often catch visitors and residents off guard.
Essentially, the High School Concourse designates specific zones where parking is strictly regulated. These spots are often reserved for school personnel or have very specific time restrictions to accommodate drop-offs and pick-ups. If you park here without the requisite permit, or if you linger in a live loading zone, a parking control officer will likely issue a ticket. The base fine for this violation is $50.00, which is steep enough to be annoying but not necessarily bank-breaking—unless you ignore it.
Ignoring the ticket is where things get expensive. Somerville has a tiered late fee structure that punishes procrastination. If you do not pay or request a hearing within 21 days, a $5.00 late fee is added. Wait another three weeks (42 days total), and another $15.00 is tacked on. If the ticket remains unresolved after 63 days, the Parking Clerk reports the debt to the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV), triggering a $40.00 referral fee and preventing you from renewing your license or registration.
However, you might have grounds to contest the ticket. Parking signage in Somerville can sometimes be confusing or obstructed. If the signs designating the Concourse boundaries were missing, graffiti-covered, or hidden behind overgrown tree branches, you may have a valid defense. Additionally, if you were only stopped briefly for a verifiable medical emergency or had a valid permit that wasn't clearly visible to the officer, these are details worth highlighting in a dispute.
That is where Busted comes in. We help you manage the process without the headache of navigating the city’s municipal website alone. Through our web app, you can easily pay your fine or submit a dispute letter. If you choose to contest the ticket, we help you formulate your argument based on the evidence you provide. While we cannot guarantee a dismissal, our platform is designed to present your case professionally and clearly. Whether you decide to pay the $50.00 or fight it, handling it quickly via Busted is the best way to avoid those escalating late fees.
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 |