How to Fight Parking Tickets in the City of Somerville
No Stopping Zone
A "No Stopping Zone" is the strictest parking restriction, meaning you cannot bring your vehicle to a halt in that specific area for any reason. Unlike a "No Parking" zone where you might be allowed to quickly drop off a passenger or load groceries, a No Stopping zone prohibits even momentary stops to ensure traffic flow and safety.
Guide to Fighting City of Somerville No Stopping Zone
Parking in Somerville can often feel like a competitive sport, and finding a ticket on your windshield is the quickest way to ruin a good day. If you have been cited for a "No Stopping Zone" violation, you might be wondering how this differs from a standard parking ticket. It is important to understand the distinction, as this specific rule is one of the strictest in the city's traffic code.
In most places, a "No Parking" sign still allows for brief stops to load or unload passengers or merchandise. However, a "No Stopping" zone means exactly what it says: your wheels cannot stop moving in that designated area. These zones are usually established in critical areas where a stationary vehicle would block traffic flow, obstruct a narrow street, or create a dangerous blind spot near an intersection or fire hydrant. Because these violations are safety-related, enforcement is often rigorous.
The base fine for a No Stopping Zone violation in Somerville is $50.00. While this is an annoyance, the cost can escalate quickly if the ticket is ignored. Somerville applies a tiered late fee structure that punishes procrastination. If the ticket remains unpaid and no hearing is requested after 21 days, a $5.00 late fee is added. If another three weeks pass (42 days total) without resolution, a second late fee of $15.00 is applied. Finally, after 63 days, the Parking Clerk reports the non-payment to the Registrar of Motor Vehicles (RMV), triggering a $40.00 referral fee and potentially preventing you from renewing your license or registration.
Fortunately, you have options. If you believe the ticket was issued in error, you have the right to dispute it. Common valid defenses for this violation include missing or obscured signage (for example, if a tree branch was completely blocking the sign), conflicting signs (such as a parking meter present in a no-stopping zone), or a documented medical emergency that forced you to pull over immediately. Keep in mind that excuses like "I was only there for a minute" or "I stayed in the car" generally do not work for No Stopping violations.
This is where Busted can help. Our web app is designed to take the headache out of municipal fines. You can use our platform to pay your fine securely or, if you have grounds for an appeal, we can help you organize your evidence and submit a dispute to the City of Somerville. While we cannot guarantee that every ticket will be dismissed, we can ensure that the process is handled correctly and efficiently, saving you time and stress. Don't let a $50 ticket turn into a paperwork nightmare; handle it directly through the Busted web app today.
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 |