How to Fight Parking Tickets in the City of Somerville
Overtime Parking
Overtime parking violations occur when a vehicle remains in a specific parking space longer than the maximum time limit posted on nearby signage, such as a two-hour limit. This rule applies even if you have paid the meter or have a permit, as the primary goal is to ensure parking turnover in high-traffic areas. To avoid this fine, you must move your vehicle to a completely different block once the time limit expires, rather than just feeding the meter.
Guide to Fighting City of Somerville Overtime Parking
Finding a bright orange envelope on your windshield is never the highlight of a day in Somerville. If you have spent any time in Davis Square, Union Square, or the surrounding neighborhoods, you know that parking enforcement here is vigilant. One of the most common surprises drivers face is the "Overtime Parking" violation. Unlike a simple expired meter ticket, this violation means you stayed in a spot longer than the posted time limit allowed—even if you kept feeding the meter. The City of Somerville enforces these time limits strictly to keep traffic moving and ensure that customers can access local businesses.
The base fine for an Overtime Parking violation in Somerville is $50.00. While that might sting, ignoring the ticket will only make the situation significantly more expensive. Somerville has a structured escalation for unpaid fines that kicks in relatively quickly. If the ticket remains unpaid for 21 days and you haven't requested a hearing, a $5.00 late fee is added. If another three weeks pass (42 days total) without payment, a second late fee of $15.00 is tacked on. The most severe consequence occurs after 63 days: the Parking Clerk reports the non-payment to the Registrar of Motor Vehicles (RMV). This triggers a $40.00 RMV referral fee and prevents you from renewing your license or registration until the debt is cleared.
However, receiving a ticket doesn't automatically mean you are guilty. There are valid reasons to contest an Overtime Parking citation. Common angles for a dispute include obscured or missing signage that failed to clearly indicate the time limit. In some cases, enforcement officers may make errors regarding how long a vehicle was actually stationary; for example, if you left the spot and returned later, but were mistaken for having never moved. Broken meters or payment kiosk malfunctions can also be grounds for dismissal if you can provide evidence. Having time-stamped photos, receipts, or witness statements can significantly strengthen your case.
Dealing with the bureaucracy of municipal parking clerks can be time-consuming and confusing. This is where the Busted web app comes in handy. We have streamlined the process of managing parking citations. Through our web-based platform, we can help you organize your evidence and submit a dispute to the City of Somerville on your behalf. If you prefer to just get it over with, we also facilitate the payment process to ensure you don't get hit with those escalating late fees or RMV holds.
While we cannot guarantee that every ticket will be dismissed, using Busted ensures that your dispute is presented professionally and correctly. We handle the heavy lifting so you don't have to spend your afternoon navigating government websites or waiting on hold. Whether you choose to fight the ticket or pay it, addressing the issue promptly via the Busted web app is the best way to put that $50 fine behind you.
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 |