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Tips for Avoiding Parking Tickets in Boston

With its narrow, winding streets and big-city daytime traffic, finding a parking spot in Boston can be a challenge for visitors and residents alike. Before you park in a questionable spot and return to find a ticket, get to know a few tricks of the Boston parking trade.

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1. Always Check Parking Signs: Before parking a vehicle, look in both directions for any parking signs on the block. The direction to which a parking restriction applies may be indicated by an arrow. Any sign without arrows, or with arrows pointing in both directions, indicates that the restriction applies to the entire block.

2. Heed "No Stopping/Standing" Signs: In areas signed for "No Stopping", vehicles cannot stand, park, drop-off, pick-up, or load. "No Standing" areas signify that a vehicle can pull up to the curb momentarily to pick-up or drop-off a passenger. Vehicles are not permitted to park, occupied or not, in these zones. Commercial vehicles may not load or unload in a "No Standing" area.

3. Watch For Street Cleaning Regulations

Many city streets have street cleaning signs that restrict parking. With the exception of the North End neighborhood which currently operates on an extended calendar, the Daytime Neighborhood Street Cleaning Program runs from April 1st through November 30th. In winter months, street cleaning and parking restrictions are nighttime only. Via the City website, residents can search schedules for posted street sweeping, see when parking restrictions take effect and register for No-Tow email reminders.

More Information on Street Cleaning »

4. Obey Parking Meter Rules and Regulations: The price of metered parking is Boston is $1.25 per hour and the individual meter rate plate should be read to determine the hours of operation at a specific meter. As meters are intended for short-term parking purposes, parking at most meters in Boston is limited to two hours. When the time limit is up, a driver may choose to move the vehicle to another metered spot but ONLY if the second meter is on a different block from the original meter.

If a single space meter is malfunctioning, drivers are allowed to park at the meter for up to one hour free of charge. Multi-space meters, however, accept various forms of payment and if the preferred form of payment cannot be used due to a malfunction, drivers are expected to pay with one of the alternative payment options or pay at one of the other multi-space meters on that block.

It is important to note that on many of the busy Downtown Boston thoroughfares parking is prohibited at meters during the AM and/or PM rush hours to allow for an extra travel lane. Drivers are cautioned to always read both the meter rate plate as well as all posted signs on the block before leaving a vehicle unattended at a parking meter.
More Information on Parking Meters »

5. Obey Parking Restrictions in Residential Zones

Unless otherwise posted, residents who live in areas where parking is regulated for "Residents Only" must apply for a Resident Parking Permit to avoid ticketing. Commercial vehicles are exempt and allowed to park for a maximum of three (3) hours while conducting business.

More Information on Resident Parking »

6. Do Not Park on Sidewalks: Sidewalks are the area between the curb and the building property line set aside for pedestrian travel. A vehicle parked on any portion of a sidewalk can be cited for a sidewalk violation. A sidewalk violation can be given even if the pedestrian travel path is partly clear or if the vehicle is parked across a driveway. Motorcycles are not exempt from sidewalk parking regulations. Bicycles can be parked on the sidewalk but their owners must ensure that the pedestrian path is safe and clear.
More Information on Bike Parking »
More Information on Scooter & Motorcycle Parking »

7. Do Not Block Crosswalks and Intersections: Vehicles may not be parked within crosswalks nor can they be parked within twenty (20) feet of an intersection, except in an area where a single space meter is in operation. Please note that curb ramps used by persons with physical disabilities are often placed at these locations and vehicles are prohibited from blocking these as well.

8. Take Note of "Loading Zones"

Posted curbside loading zones are intended for the active loading and unloading of commercial vehicles as defined by the Boston Transportation Department Rules and Regulations.

More Information on Commercial Vehicle Parking Requirements »

9. Keep Your Inspection Current: All registered vehicles must get a safety and emissions inspection on an annual basis. In Massachusetts, driving with an expired inspection sticker is a violation of the law. Therefore, parking a vehicle without a valid inspection sticker on a public street in the City of Boston is not permissible and the vehicles are subject to being ticketed.
More Information on Vehicle Inspections »

10. Pay Attention in Snow Emergencies

When a snow emergency has been declared, parking regulations are strictly enforced to ensure that streets remain accessible for snow plows, fire vehicles and other emergency responders. During declared snow emergencies, be sure to follow parking regulations to avoid ticketing or towing.
More Information on Snow Emergency Parking »

Residents can sign up for email, text or voice notifications when a snow emergency parking ban is declared and lifted.
Register for Snow Emergency Notifications

11. Be Advised: Meter Parking on Sundays and Holidays is Free

City of Boston parking meters are free on Sundays and legal holidays* and no time limit is enforced. All other parking regulations, including rush hour restrictions at meters, remain in effect.

*It is important to note that this applies only to the day that the actual holiday falls on, not to the day that offices may be closed in celebration of the holiday. For example, if New Year's Day is Saturday but offices are closed on Friday in recognition of the holiday, parking meters will be in operation on Friday but not on Saturday.

City of Boston Holidays »

12. Bicycles Have Designated Parking Too

The City of Boston promotes cycling as a healthy, environmentally friendly method of transportation. Designated areas for bike parking to provide cyclists with safe, acceptable, and secure places to leave their bicycles. Generally, most garages and outdoor places are public. Cycling residents should be sure to check the signs posted near bike racks and garages to ensure it is not for building tenants only.

More Information on Bicycle Parking »

13. If You Do Get a Ticket, Pay It on Time: Boston drivers can now register for parking ticket notifications that will help them save time and avoid paying extra in late fees when dealing with parking tickets.
Register for Parking Ticket Notifications »
Ticket Fine Schedule »

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