How to Fight Parking Tickets in the City of Somerville
On Sidewalk
Parking on the sidewalk in Somerville is prohibited to ensure safe passage for pedestrians and accessibility for everyone. You can be ticketed even if your vehicle is only partially resting on the pavement or if you are blocking a driveway apron that crosses the sidewalk. To avoid a fine, always ensure all four tires are clearly on the roadway.
Guide to Fighting City of Somerville On Sidewalk
Let’s be honest: parking in Somerville is rarely a walk in the park. Between the street cleaning schedules, resident permit zones, and narrow one-way streets, finding a spot can feel like a victory in itself. However, that victory can turn sour quickly if you come back to find an orange envelope tucked under your wiper blade. If you’ve received a ticket for the "On Sidewalk" violation, you are looking at a $50 base fine. While it might seem like you were just tucking your car in to avoid side-swipes, the city takes pedestrian access very seriously.
So, why are these tickets issued? The City of Somerville enforces sidewalk parking rules strictly to maintain ADA compliance and pedestrian safety. This violation isn't limited to parking your entire car on the pavement. You can be cited for having just two wheels up on the curb, or for blocking the "apron" (the part of a driveway that crosses the sidewalk). Even if you think you left enough room for a person to squeeze by, enforcement officers are trained to ticket any vehicle that impedes the public right-of-way. It is about keeping the path clear for wheelchairs, strollers, and foot traffic.
Is it worth fighting? That depends on the details. While sidewalk violations are often cut-and-dry, there are valid angles for a dispute. For example, if the boundaries of the sidewalk were unclear due to construction, snow accumulation, or faded curbing, you might have a case. Additionally, if you can prove your vehicle was disabled and you were moving it to safety, or if the officer made a factual error on the ticket (like the wrong license plate or location), you should definitely consider contesting it. Evidence is your best friend here; clear photos showing the positioning of your car relative to the curb are essential.
If you decide to handle this ticket, acting fast is crucial to your wallet. Somerville has a tiered late fee structure that can nearly double your fine if you ignore it. If the ticket remains unpaid for 21 days, a $5.00 fee is added. Let it slide to 42 days? That’s another $15.00 tacked on. If you wait longer than 63 days, the Parking Clerk reports the non-payment to the Registrar of Motor Vehicles (RMV), resulting in a hefty $40.00 referral fee and the inability to renew your license or registration.
Fortunately, you don’t have to navigate the city's bureaucracy alone. The Busted web app is designed to help you manage your Somerville parking tickets without the headache. Whether you want to pay the fine instantly or submit a dispute with your evidence, you can do it all directly through our browser-based platform. We help ensure your dispute is formatted correctly and submitted on time, or get your payment processed securely so you can stop worrying about those escalating 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 |