How to Fight Parking Tickets in the City of Somerville
Over 48 Hours
In the City of Somerville, you are prohibited from parking your vehicle in the same spot on a public street for more than 48 consecutive hours. This rule applies to all drivers, including residents with valid parking permits, and is enforced to prevent vehicle abandonment and ensure parking availability.
Guide to Fighting City of Somerville Over 48 Hours
Parking in Somerville is practically a competitive sport, and getting a ticket for the "Over 48 Hours" rule is one of the most frustrating penalties to receive. Unlike a meter violation where you simply lost track of time, this violation often feels personal—like someone was watching your car. Here is the reality: Somerville enforces a strict ordinance that prohibits vehicles from remaining in the same spot on a public street for a continuous period of 48 hours. This rule applies to everyone, even if you have a valid resident parking permit displayed on your windshield.
The city enforces this primarily to prevent vehicle abandonment and to ensure parking turnover in dense residential neighborhoods. Enforcement officers often use "chalking" techniques (marking your tire with chalk) or digital license plate scanning to track how long a vehicle has been stationary. If they return 48 hours later and your car hasn't moved—or hasn't moved far enough—you get hit with a $50.00 citation. It is a common misconception that moving your car a few feet forward or backward resets the clock; usually, you need to vacate the specific parking space or block to be considered compliant.
If you found this ticket tucked under your wiper, you have a few options. The first step is to check if the ticket was issued in error. Valid dispute angles for this specific violation often rely on proof of movement. If you drove your car to work and parked in the exact same spot when you returned, the officer might have assumed the car never moved. Evidence like GPS logs, dashcam footage, or time-stamped receipts from a location away from your home can be powerful tools in a dispute. Additionally, if your vehicle was disabled or you had a documented medical emergency that prevented you from moving the vehicle, the hearing officer may show leniency.
This is where the Busted web app comes in. We know that dealing with municipal bureaucracy is a headache. You don't need to download anything to get started. Simply navigate to our website and verify your ticket details. Since Busted supports disputes for Somerville, our system can help you formulate a professional challenge letter based on the details of your situation. We guide you through the process, helping you present your evidence clearly to the Parking Clerk without the stress of navigating the legal jargon alone.
If you decide that disputing isn't the right path—perhaps the car really was there for a week while you were on vacation—it is crucial to pay the fine promptly. The base fine is $50.00, but Somerville is aggressive with late penalties. If you leave the ticket unpaid for 21 days without requesting a hearing, a $5.00 late fee is added. Wait another three weeks (42 days total), and another $15.00 is tacked on. If the ticket remains unresolved after 63 days, the city reports it to the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV), triggering a $40.00 non-renewal fee that prevents you from renewing your license or registration. You can handle the payment directly through the Busted web app to ensure it is processed correctly and you avoid those escalating costs.
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 |