How to Fight Parking Tickets in the City of Somerville
Invalid or Expired Inspection Sticker
In Somerville, all vehicles parked on public ways must display a current, valid Massachusetts inspection sticker on the windshield. If your sticker is missing, unreadable, or shows a date that has passed, you are liable for a citation regardless of whether you are legally parked in a spot.
Guide to Fighting City of Somerville Invalid or Expired Inspection Sticker
Seeing that distinctive orange envelope tucked under your windshield wiper is never the highlight of anyone's day, especially when you are parked in the City of Somerville. It can be even more frustrating when you realize the ticket isn't for where you parked, but for the sticker on your windshield. An "Invalid or Expired Inspection Sticker" violation is a common citation issued to ensure vehicles meet Massachusetts safety and emissions standards. Even if you have a valid resident permit and the meter is paid, an expired sticker makes you a target for enforcement officers.
Unlike moving violations, this ticket doesn't usually add points to your license, but it does come with a $50.00 base fine that demands attention. The City of Somerville is strict about timelines. If you toss the ticket in your glovebox and forget about it, the costs escalate quickly. After 21 days unpaid, a $5.00 late fee is added. If you wait another three weeks (42 days total), a second late fee of $15.00 applies. Ignore it for over two months (63 days), and the Parking Clerk reports the debt to the Registrar of Motor Vehicles (RMV). This triggers a hefty $40.00 referral fee and prevents you from renewing your license or registration until the debt is cleared.
Fortunately, you don't always have to just pay up. There are valid reasons to dispute these tickets. For example, if you actually had a valid sticker that was obscured by snow, dirt, or glare, and the officer simply missed it, you have a strong case. Additionally, if you can prove that the vehicle was inspected on the same day the ticket was issued—showing that you were in the process of rectifying the issue—some hearing officers may show leniency, though this is not guaranteed. Clerical errors, such as the officer writing down the wrong license plate number or location, can also be grounds for dismissal.
This is where Busted comes in. You don't need to navigate the City of Somerville's bureaucracy alone, and you certainly don't need to download another mobile app to clutter your phone. Our web app is designed to streamline the entire process for you. Whether you want to pay the fine securely or fight the ticket, Busted handles the heavy lifting.
If you choose to dispute, our system helps you gather the right evidence and formulates a professional defense to present to the city. If you prefer to just pay and move on, we facilitate that instantly to ensure you don't get hit with those escalating late fees. Simply browse to the Busted web app, enter your ticket details, and let us help you resolve your Somerville parking headache quickly and efficiently.
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 |