How to Fight Parking Tickets in the City of Somerville
Obstructing Driveway
You are prohibited from parking your vehicle in a way that blocks or partially obstructs the entrance to a driveway, preventing vehicles from entering or exiting the property. This rule applies to both residential and commercial driveways to ensure property owners have free access to the street. Even if your bumper only hangs over a small portion of the curb cut, you are liable to receive a citation.
Guide to Fighting City of Somerville Obstructing Driveway
Parking in the City of Somerville can often feel like a competitive sport, where finding a spot near your destination is a major victory. However, in the rush to secure a space, it is easy to misjudge the boundaries of a driveway. The "Obstructing Driveway" violation is one of the more frustrating tickets to receive because it often comes down to a matter of inches. If any part of your vehicle—usually the bumper—overhangs the "curb cut" (the dip in the curb allowing cars to enter a property), you are technically blocking access. In Somerville, this infraction comes with a steep base fine of $100.00.
Tickets for obstructing a driveway are issued because the city prioritizes the right of residents and business owners to access their property freely. While it might seem harmless to block a driveway that looks unused or to park in front of your own house, parking enforcement officers are strict about the letter of the law. They do not typically check who owns the car or the house; they simply check if the vehicle is impeding the right of way.
If you have received this ticket, you might have grounds to dispute it. Successful disputes often rely on proving that the alleged obstruction did not actually occur or that the driveway was not a legal curb cut. For example, if the paint marking the driveway boundaries was completely faded or non-existent, and the curb cut was not distinct, you might argue that the restriction was not clearly communicated. Additionally, if you can prove via photos that your vehicle was entirely within the legal parking zone and not encroaching on the slope of the driveway, you may have a case. However, simply stating that you were only there for a few minutes is rarely a valid defense.
Ignoring the ticket is not a viable strategy due to the aggressive late fee structure in Somerville. If the $100.00 fine remains unpaid for 21 days, a $5.00 late fee is added. If it remains unpaid after the mailed notice (roughly 42 days), a second late fee of $15.00 is applied. Finally, after about 63 days, the Parking Clerk will report the debt to the Registrar of Motor Vehicles (RMV), incurring a hefty $40.00 referral fee and preventing you from renewing your registration or license.
Fortunately, you don't have to navigate this process alone. The Busted web app is designed to help you manage your parking tickets without the headache. You can use our platform to pay your fine securely or to submit a dispute if you believe the ticket was issued in error. We help you organize your evidence and present your case clearly to the city authorities. While we cannot guarantee a dismissal, using Busted ensures your response is professional, timely, and handled entirely online.
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 |