How to Fight Parking Tickets in the City of Somerville
Over 1 ft. from Curb
In Somerville, you are required to park your vehicle so that your tires are within 12 inches of the curb. This rule is enforced to ensure that the street remains wide enough for other traffic, cyclists, and emergency vehicles to pass safely. If your car is positioned more than one foot away from the curb edge, you are liable to be ticketed.
Guide to Fighting City of Somerville Over 1 ft. from Curb
Parking in Somerville is practically a competitive sport. Between the narrow one-way streets, resident permit zones, and aggressive street sweeping schedules, finding a spot is hard enough. Landing that spot only to return to a $50 ticket for being "Over 1 ft. from Curb" feels like a low blow. However, this is a common enforcement tactic in the city, primarily designed to keep the roadways passable for emergency vehicles, buses, and the city's active cycling community.
So, what exactly does this violation mean? The rule is straightforward: when you parallel park on a public street, your passenger-side tires (or driver-side on one-way streets) must be within 12 inches of the curb edge. If you park too far out, your vehicle acts as an obstruction. In a dense city like Somerville, losing a foot of road width can make the difference between a fire truck fitting down the street or getting stuck. While it might feel like the parking officer was being petty with a tape measure, the regulation is strictly enforced to ensure traffic safety and flow.
Ignoring this ticket is a bad idea. The base fine is $50.00, but the City of Somerville has a structured escalation for unpaid citations. If you don't pay or request a hearing within 21 days, a $5.00 late fee is added. Let it slide for another three weeks (42 days total), and another $15.00 is tacked on. If the ticket remains unresolved after 63 days, the Parking Clerk notifies the Registry 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.
If you believe the ticket was issued in error, you have the right to dispute it. Successful disputes often rely on hard evidence. For example, if a snowbank physically prevented you from getting closer to the curb, photos of the conditions can help your case. Perhaps the curb itself was damaged or missing, making it impossible to gauge the distance. Or, maybe you have photo evidence showing your tires were actually within the 12-inch limit. Subjective arguments like "I was only there for a minute" usually don't work.
That is where Busted comes in. We understand that dealing with municipal bureaucracy is a headache. Our web app streamlines the entire process for you. If you want to contest the ticket, we can help you formulate your argument based on the details you provide. If you'd rather just pay it and move on, we facilitate that too. While we can't guarantee a dismissal, we can ensure your response is professional, timely, and handled entirely online so you don't have to stress about mailing checks or navigating confusing city websites.
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 |