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Understanding Boston Parking Tickets and How They Work

Boston parking tickets are citations issued by the City of Boston Transportation Department when vehicles violate parking regulations. Every year, the city issues hundreds of thousands of parking violations to drivers who park illegally, expire meters, or violate posted restrictions. Understanding how these tickets are issued and what information appears on them is the first step toward managing your parking situation in Boston.

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When a parking enforcement officer observes a violation, they use a handheld device or citation book to document the offense. The ticket includes specific details: your vehicle's license plate number, the location where the violation occurred, the date and time of the violation, the specific code for the violation type, and the amount owed. This information is entered into the city's parking violations database, which creates an official record.

Different types of parking violations carry different penalty amounts. For example, parking in a no-parking zone typically costs $65, while parking at an expired meter might be $40. Parking in a handicap-accessible space without proper documentation can result in fines of $100 or more. Blocking a fire hydrant or parking in a bus stop carries steeper penalties. The amount you owe depends on which specific regulation you violated.

Boston's parking system uses both traditional street parking and modern mobile payment options. Many areas require payment through the ParkBoston app or parking meters, while others have permit-only restrictions. The regulations vary by neighborhood and street, which is why violations happen frequently—drivers may not realize a particular street has changed its parking rules or that a meter has expired.

Practical takeaway: Review your ticket carefully to understand exactly which regulation was violated and confirm the vehicle information matches your car. This information will be important if you decide to respond to the citation.

How to Find Your Parking Ticket Information Online

The City of Boston provides a public online system where you can search for parking ticket information associated with your vehicle. This system allows you to look up violations by entering your license plate number. Accessing this information is free and can be done from any computer or mobile device with internet access.

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To find your ticket information, visit the Boston Parking Violations website. You'll need your Massachusetts license plate number to search. The system will display any open violations associated with that plate, including the citation number, violation date, location, violation code, and the amount owed. The search results show violations that have not yet been resolved or paid.

The information displayed includes the violation type code, which refers to specific parking regulations. For instance, code 01 means parking in a no-parking zone, code 02 means expired meter, and code 04 means parking without proper license plates. Understanding these codes helps you know exactly what regulation was violated.

You can also learn about your ticket by checking your mail. The City of Boston sends official notices for unpaid parking violations. These notices include the same information available online, plus additional details about next steps and response options. The notice typically arrives within 20-30 days of the violation date.

If you received a ticket but cannot find it in the online system, wait a few days—new violations may take time to appear in the database. If several days have passed and you still don't see it, you can contact the Boston Parking Violations office directly to confirm the violation was recorded.

Practical takeaway: Regularly search the online system for your license plate to stay informed about any violations. This helps you catch issues early and understand your ticket details before deciding how to respond.

Learning About Your Response Options

When you receive a parking ticket in Boston, you have options for how to respond. Understanding each option helps you make an informed decision based on your situation. You are not required to take any specific action immediately, but responding within the timeframe indicated on your notice is important to protect your rights.

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One option is to pay the violation. You can pay online through the Boston Parking Violations website, by mail, or in person. Payment typically resolves the violation, though paying does not constitute an admission of guilt—it simply means you are settling the matter. The website accepts credit and debit card payments. Payments made online are usually processed within a few business days.

Another option is to request a hearing to contest the violation. Boston allows drivers to explain their situation to a hearing examiner. You can request a hearing by mail, phone, or online through the violations website. The hearing gives you an opportunity to present your side of the story. For example, if you believe the parking sign was obscured, if there was an emergency situation, or if the officer made an error in documenting the violation, a hearing allows you to present this information.

You can also request a reduction in the fine amount. The city sometimes reduces penalties based on circumstances such as a clean driving record, financial hardship, or other factors. To request a reduction, you typically need to contact the Boston Parking Violations office and explain your situation.

Some violations may be dismissed if technical issues are found. For example, if the officer failed to document the violation properly, if the signage was inadequate, or if the violation was issued in error, it might be dismissed. A hearing examiner will review the evidence presented.

Practical takeaway: Review the notice you received to understand the deadline for responding. Choose your response option carefully based on whether you believe the ticket was issued correctly and what your circumstances are. Remember that parking violations can affect your vehicle registration if left unpaid.

Information About Parking Violation Codes and Regulations

Boston parking violations are categorized by specific codes that describe which regulation was violated. Learning about these codes helps you understand what went wrong and whether the citation was issued appropriately. Each code corresponds to a regulation in the Boston Parking Code.

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Common violation codes include: Code 01 (Parking in No Parking Zone) - $65, Code 02 (Expired Meter) - $40, Code 04 (No License Plates or Obscured Plates) - $100, Code 05 (Blocking Driveway) - $65, Code 06 (Double Parking) - $100, Code 08 (Blocking Fire Hydrant) - $100, Code 11 (Street Cleaning Violation) - $65, Code 12 (Reserved Parking Space Violation) - $65, and Code 13 (Parking on Sidewalk) - $100. Each code represents a different type of parking regulation.

Parking regulations in Boston exist for several reasons: to keep traffic flowing smoothly, to maintain emergency access, to ensure fair use of limited street parking, and to support street cleaning and maintenance. Understanding the reasoning behind regulations helps explain why certain areas have restrictions.

Different neighborhoods have different parking rules. Some areas allow street parking during certain hours, while others prohibit it entirely. Some neighborhoods have permit-only programs where residents and their guests can park with proper documentation. Commercial districts may have different rules than residential areas. Always check posted signs before parking.

Handicap-accessible parking spaces have strict regulations. Parking in these spaces without proper license plates or placards is considered a serious violation with higher fines. These spaces must remain available for people with disabilities, which is why the penalties are steeper.

Practical takeaway: When you receive a ticket, note the violation code and understand what regulation it corresponds to. This information helps you determine whether you believe the violation was accurate and what information you might want to present at a hearing.

Information for Resolving Multiple Violations

Some drivers accumulate multiple parking violations over time. If you have received several tickets, understanding your options for managing them all is important. Multiple unpaid violations can lead to additional consequences, including registration holds and potential debt collection actions.

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When violations remain unpaid, they continue to accrue in the city's system. The older a violation becomes, the more serious the consequences may be. After a certain period, unpaid violations may be referred to debt collection or may result in a hold on your vehicle registration renewal. These holds can prevent you from renewing your registration or obtaining a new one.

If you have multiple violations, you can address them individually or together. Some drivers choose to pay all outstanding violations at once to resolve the matter completely. Others pay them one at a time based on their financial situation. Both approaches are acceptable.

You can request hearings for multiple violations. If several tickets were issued in similar circumstances or at the same location, information from one hearing might be relevant to others. You can request hearings for each violation separately or request to combine hearings if they are related.

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