Where to pay your Boston parking ticket

You can pay a Boston parking ticket online through the City of Boston's Parking Clerk's office website, by mail, or in person at their office. The online option is fastest — you'll need your ticket number and the plate number of the vehicle, and payment goes through when ready. The Parking Clerk's office is located at 1010 Massachusetts Avenue in Boston's Dorchester neighborhood, and they accept cash, check, and card payments in person.

If you pay by mail, send a check or money order made out to "City of Boston" along with a copy of your ticket to the Parking Clerk's office at the same address. Mail payments take longer to process, so allow at least two weeks before assuming your payment didn't arrive.

You can also pay at any Boston Public Library branch during their regular hours — staff there can process parking ticket payments and accept cash or card. This option works well if you're already in your neighborhood and want to handle it in person without traveling to Dorchester.

Key Takeaways

  • Online payment through the City of Boston's Parking Clerk website is the fastest method and requires only your ticket number and vehicle plate number.
  • You can pay in person at the Parking Clerk's office at 1010 Massachusetts Avenue, Dorchester, or at any Boston Public Library branch.
  • Payment by mail takes two to three weeks and requires a check or money order sent to the Parking Clerk's office address.
  • Your ticket will show the amount due and the important date for payment; paying late may add additional fees or result in a boot being placed on your vehicle.

How much you owe and payment important date

The amount due appears on your parking ticket itself. Boston parking fines range depending on the violation — for example, parking in a no-parking zone costs less than parking in a handicapped space without a permit. The ticket shows both the base fine and any additional penalties that have already been added.

You have 21 days from the date on your ticket to pay before the city adds a late fee. After 21 days, an additional penalty is added to your bill. If you don't pay within a longer window (usually around 60 days), the city may place a boot on your vehicle's wheel, preventing you from driving it until you pay in full plus the boot removal fee.

If your ticket was issued more than a year ago and you haven't paid, the city may report it to a collection agency or place a hold on your vehicle registration renewal. Paying as soon as you receive the ticket avoids these escalating costs.

Paying online through the city's system

Go to the City of Boston's official parking ticket payment website. You'll enter your ticket number (found at the top of your ticket) and your vehicle's license plate number. The system will pull up your ticket details and show the exact amount due.

Once you confirm the amount, you can pay by debit card or credit card. The payment processes when ready, and you'll receive a confirmation number on screen. Save or print this confirmation — it serves as your proof of payment if any questions come up later.

If you can't find your ticket number, you can search by license plate instead. The system will show all outstanding tickets for that vehicle. This is useful if you received multiple tickets or if your ticket is lost.

Paying by mail or in person

To pay by mail, write a check or money order for the exact amount shown on your ticket. Make it payable to "City of Boston." Include a copy of your ticket (or write your ticket number clearly on the check) and mail it to: Parking Clerk, City of Boston, 1010 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA 02125.

Mail payments are slower because they have to be received, opened, and processed by hand. Send your payment at least two weeks before the 21-day important date to may support it arrives on time. If you're close to the important date, paying in person or online is safer.

For in-person payment at the Parking Clerk's office, bring your ticket and cash, check, or card. The office is open Monday through Friday during standard business hours. You can also pay at any Boston Public Library branch — they have the same payment system and can process your ticket when ready.

What happens if you dispute the ticket

If you believe the ticket was issued in error — for example, you had a valid permit, the sign was obscured, or you were parked legally — you can request a hearing before paying. You have 21 days from the ticket date to request this hearing through the Parking Clerk's office website or by mail.

When you request a hearing, explain why you believe the ticket is wrong and include any supporting evidence (photos of the parking sign, copies of permits, etc.). A hearing officer will review your case. If they agree with you, the ticket is dismissed and you owe nothing. If they disagree, you'll be told the amount due and given another important date to pay.

Requesting a hearing does not stop the clock on the 21-day payment important date — if your hearing is denied, you'll still owe any late fees that accumulated while waiting for the decision. Pay when ready after a hearing denial to avoid additional penalties.

Dealing with multiple tickets or a booted vehicle

If you have more than one unpaid parking ticket on the same vehicle, you can pay them all at once through the online system or in person. The system will show all outstanding tickets when you search by plate number, and you can pay the total amount due for all of them together.

If your vehicle has been booted, you must pay all outstanding parking tickets plus the boot fee before the boot can be removed. The boot fee is set by the city and is added on top of your ticket amounts. Once payment is confirmed, you can call the number on the boot notice to arrange removal, which usually happens within a few hours on business days.

If you believe a boot was placed in error or you've already paid the tickets, contact the Parking Clerk's office directly with your proof of payment. They can verify your account status and authorize boot removal if the debt has been cleared.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay a Boston parking ticket by phone?

The City of Boston does not currently accept parking ticket payments by phone. You must pay online, by mail, in person at the Parking Clerk's office, or at a Boston Public Library branch. Online payment is the fastest option if you want to handle it without leaving home.

What if I lost my parking ticket?

You can still pay online by searching for your ticket using your vehicle's license plate number instead of the ticket number. The system will show all outstanding tickets for that vehicle. If you can't find your ticket online, contact the Parking Clerk's office with your plate number and they can look it up for you.

Will paying a parking ticket affect my credit score?

A single unpaid parking ticket does not directly appear on your credit report. However, if the city sends your debt to a collection agency after many months of non-payment, that collection account can appear on your credit report and harm your score. Paying your ticket within the important date avoids this outcome.

Can I pay someone else's parking ticket?

Yes, anyone can pay a parking ticket for a vehicle. You'll need the ticket number or the vehicle's license plate number to look it up in the system. The payment will be applied to that vehicle's account regardless of who submits it.

What if I paid my ticket but still see it listed as unpaid?

If you paid by mail, allow at least two weeks for the payment to be processed and recorded in the system. If you paid online or in person and still see the ticket as unpaid after a week, contact the Parking Clerk's office with your confirmation number or receipt. They can verify the payment was received and update your account.