What happens after you get a parking ticket in Boston
When a Boston parking enforcement officer writes you a ticket, they place a notice on your windshield or mail it to the address on your registration. The ticket shows the violation code, the location, the date and time, and the fine amount. You have 21 days from the ticket date to either pay the fine or request a hearing to contest it. If you do neither, the city can place a hold on your vehicle registration and refer the debt to a collection agency.
The fine amount depends on the violation. Parking in a no-parking zone, expired meter, or fire hydrant typically costs between $40 and $100. Handicap space violations and blocking a driveway run higher. You can pay online through the City of Boston's parking ticket payment portal, by mail, or in person at the Boston Transportation Department office at 100 Hanover Street.
Key Takeaways
- You have 21 days from the ticket date to pay or request a hearing; after that, the city can freeze your vehicle registration.
- Payment is fastest online through the City of Boston's portal, which processes when ready and gives you a receipt.
- To contest a ticket, you must request a hearing in writing within 21 days and explain why the ticket was issued in error.
- The hearing officer will review photos, the officer's notes, and your statement, and can dismiss the ticket, uphold it, or reduce the fine.
- If you ignore a ticket, the debt can be sent to collections and affect your credit, and the city can deny you a resident parking permit.
How to pay a Boston parking ticket online
The fastest way to pay is through the City of Boston's online payment system. Go to boston.gov/parking-tickets, enter your ticket number (printed on the notice), and follow the prompts to pay by credit card or debit card. The system accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. Payment is processed when ready, and you receive a confirmation email with a receipt.
If you cannot find your ticket number, you can search by your license plate number and vehicle identification number (VIN) instead. The system will pull up all outstanding tickets on that vehicle. You can pay multiple tickets in one transaction. Keep your confirmation email as proof of payment in case there is ever a dispute about whether the city received it.
Requesting a hearing to contest your ticket
If you believe the ticket was issued in error—for example, the sign was obscured, you were parked legally, or the officer made a mistake—you can request a hearing. You must do this in writing within 21 days of the ticket date. Send a letter to the Boston Transportation Department, Parking Clerk's Office, 100 Hanover Street, Boston, MA 02108, or submit the request through the online portal.
In your letter, state your ticket number, explain why you believe the ticket is wrong, and include any evidence: photos of the parking area, a copy of the lease or permit showing you had the right to park there, or a statement from a witness. The city will schedule a hearing date, usually within 30 to 60 days, and notify you by mail. You do not need a lawyer, and you can represent yourself.
At the hearing, a hearing officer employed by the city will review the officer's notes, any photos taken at the scene, and your statement. The officer who issued the ticket may or may not attend. The hearing officer can dismiss the ticket entirely, uphold it, or reduce the fine. You will receive a written decision by mail within two weeks.
What to do if you miss the 21-day important date
If 21 days pass without payment or a hearing request, the ticket becomes a final judgment. The city will then send a second notice stating that the fine is now due when ready. At this point, you can no longer contest the ticket through the hearing process.
You can still pay the fine, but you should do so as soon as possible. If you continue to ignore it, the city will place a hold on your vehicle registration, meaning you cannot renew it. The debt may also be referred to a collection agency, which can report it to credit bureaus and affect your credit score. Additionally, if you have unpaid parking tickets, the city may deny you a resident parking permit or a commercial parking license.
Paying by mail or in person
If you prefer not to pay online, you can mail a check or money order to the Boston Transportation Department, Parking Clerk's Office, 100 Hanover Street, Boston, MA 02108. Include your ticket number and a copy of the ticket notice. Mail payment takes longer to process—allow at least two weeks—so send it early if you are near the 21-day important date.
You can also pay in person at the Parking Clerk's Office at 100 Hanover Street, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Bring your ticket and a form of payment: cash, check, or credit card. In-person payment is processed when ready, and you receive a receipt on the spot.
Understanding common parking violations in Boston
Boston's most common parking violations are expired meter (you ran out of time at a pay station or meter), no-parking zone (a sign explicitly forbids parking), and fire hydrant (within 10 feet of a hydrant). Each carries a fine of $40 to $65. Blocking a driveway, parking in a handicap space without a permit, and parking in a resident-only zone without a permit carry higher fines, typically $100 to $250.
Street cleaning violations occur when you park on a street during posted cleaning hours. The fine is usually $65, and your car may be towed if it blocks the cleaning truck. Overnight parking restrictions vary by neighborhood; some areas prohibit parking between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m., while others have different hours. Check the signs on your street or call the Boston Transportation Department at 617-635-4680 to confirm the rules for your location.
What happens if your car is towed
If your car is towed for a parking violation—usually for blocking a fire hydrant, driveway, or street cleaning, or for accumulating multiple unpaid tickets—you will receive a tow notice on your windshield or by mail. The car is taken to one of Boston's impound lots. You must retrieve it within 30 days or it may be sold at auction.
To retrieve your car, you must pay the towing fee (typically $150 to $200), the storage fee (usually $25 per day), and any outstanding parking fines. You can pay at the impound lot or online through the city's portal. Bring your driver's license and vehicle registration. If you cannot afford the fees, contact the Boston Transportation Department to ask about payment plans or hardship waivers, though these are not may provide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a ticket dismissed if I have a resident parking permit?
No, a resident permit only allows you to park in designated resident-only zones during posted hours. If you parked illegally—in a no-parking zone, at an expired meter, or in front of a fire hydrant—the permit does not protect you. However, if you received a ticket in a resident zone and you have a valid permit, you can request a hearing and provide the permit as evidence.
What if I paid the ticket but the city says I still owe it?
Check your confirmation email or receipt to verify the payment went through. If you paid online, the system should show "paid" when you search your ticket number. If there is a discrepancy, contact the Parking Clerk's Office at 617-635-4680 with your receipt and ticket number. They can investigate and correct the record.
Do parking tickets in Boston affect my driving record or insurance?
Parking tickets do not appear on your driving record or affect your car insurance rates. However, if you ignore the ticket and it goes to collections, it can appear on your credit report and lower your credit score. Unpaid tickets can also prevent you from renewing your vehicle registration or obtaining a resident parking permit.
Can I appeal a hearing decision?
The hearing officer's decision is final and cannot be appealed within the city system. However, if you believe the decision violated your rights or was based on an error of law, you may file an appeal in Boston Municipal Court within 30 days. This requires filing paperwork with the court and is more complex than a parking hearing; consider consulting a lawyer if you choose this route.
What if I was parked legally but still got a ticket?
Request a hearing within 21 days and bring evidence: photos of the parking signs, a copy of your permit if you had one, or a lease showing you had the right to park there. If the hearing officer agrees the ticket was issued in error, they will dismiss it and you owe nothing. If you have already paid, you can request a refund after the dismissal.