Contest a Parking Ticket in Boston
Got a ticket you don't think you deserve? A short, factual written appeal with evidence is the most effective way to contest it. Answer the questions below and your letter fills itself in as you type.
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[Your mailing address]
October 15, 2026
City of Boston Office of the Parking Clerk
P.O. Box 55800, Boston, MA 02205
Re: Request for review of parking citation [Citation (ticket) number] — license plate [License plate]
To whom it may concern:
I am writing to contest parking citation [Citation (ticket) number], issued on [Date of the ticket] at [Where the ticket was issued] to the vehicle with license plate [License plate]. I respectfully ask that the citation be dismissed.
Reason for contesting: [Main reason you're contesting].
[What happened]
I am submitting this appeal within the 21 days the City of Boston allows for paying or appealing a parking ticket, by the deadline of [Date of the ticket]. Please send your decision to the mailing address above.
Please review this citation and dismiss it. I would appreciate written confirmation of your decision, sent to the address above.
Sincerely,
[Your full name]
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How to contest a parking ticket in Boston
Parking tickets in Boston are reviewed by the City's Office of the Parking Clerk. The City says you have 21 days from the date you received the ticket to pay or appeal it. After 21 days the ticket is overdue. You can still appeal an overdue ticket, but a late fee is added to the total, so appeal within that window if you can.
You can appeal with the City's online Parking Ticket Appeal Form, by letter to P.O. Box 55800, or in person at City Hall, Room 224. Include your name and mailing address, plate and registration state, the ticket number and the reason for your dispute. Video-call hearings are available for out-of-state drivers, people with disabilities and anyone over 65.
The City mails its decision, usually within seven to 10 business days. If your appeal is denied, you must pay within 10 days or request a hearing by calling 617-635-4410. Scheduled hearings take place Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. If your appeal is denied at the hearing, you can take it further by filing with the Superior Court.
What to do, step by step
Check the deadline
In Boston you generally have 21 days from the ticket date to contest it. Missing it can add late penalties.
Gather your evidence
Photograph the signs, curb markings, meter or pay station, and where your car was parked. Keep receipts, permits and any repair or police records.
Write your appeal
Answer the questions above. Keep it short and factual — reviewers read a lot of these, and a calm, specific letter with evidence is the most persuasive.
Submit it on time
Submit online through City of Boston Office of the Parking Clerk, or mail it to P.O. Box 55800, Boston, MA 02205. Keep a copy and proof that you sent it.
Follow up
If your appeal is denied, you must pay the ticket within 10 days or request a hearing with the Office of the Parking Clerk by calling 617-635-4410. If the hearing goes against you, the next step is a filing with the Superior Court.
What if your appeal is denied?
A denial at the first review isn't the end. Most cities offer at least one more level — usually a hearing in person, by phone or by mail — where a different person looks at your evidence.
In Boston: If your appeal is denied, you must pay the ticket within 10 days or request a hearing with the Office of the Parking Clerk by calling 617-635-4410. If the hearing goes against you, the next step is a filing with the Superior Court.
Keep every notice and receipt. If you win at a later stage, any amount you paid is normally refunded.
Example Boston parking ticket appeal letter
A filled-in sample with made-up details, so you can see the finished result.
Alex Morgan
410 Grand Ave, Apt 2
September 28, 2026
City of Boston Office of the Parking Clerk
P.O. Box 55800, Boston, MA 02205
Re: Request for review of parking citation 4012345678 — license plate 7XYZ442
To whom it may concern:
I am writing to contest parking citation 4012345678, issued on September 20, 2026 at 300 block of Main St to the vehicle with license plate 7XYZ442. I respectfully ask that the citation be dismissed.
Reason for contesting: The signs were missing, unclear or blocked.
The only no-parking sign on the block was covered by overgrown tree branches. Photos I took a few minutes after finding the ticket show the sign could not be seen from where I parked.
I have included the following evidence in support of this request: Two dated photos of the covered sign and a map showing where my car was parked.
I am submitting this appeal within the 21 days the City of Boston allows for paying or appealing a parking ticket, by the deadline of October 11, 2026. Please send your decision to the mailing address above.
Please review this citation and dismiss it. I would appreciate written confirmation of your decision, sent to the address above.
Sincerely,
Alex Morgan
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to appeal a parking ticket in Boston?
The City of Boston says you have 21 days from the date you received the ticket to pay or appeal it. After that the ticket is overdue. You can still appeal an overdue ticket, but a late fee is added to the total, so file within the 21 days if you can.
What do I need to include in a Boston parking appeal?
Your name and mailing address, the nature of your dispute, your registration and plate number, the state where the car is registered, the ticket number or numbers, and any supporting evidence such as photos. The same details are needed online, by mail or in person.
How long does a Boston parking appeal take?
The City says you should get a decision letter within seven to 10 business days. If an in-person hearing is scheduled, the letter with your hearing date may take several weeks to arrive. Keep your email receipt or proof of mailing.
Can I have a Boston parking hearing by video?
Yes, if you are not a Massachusetts resident and your car is registered out of state, you have a handicap placard or disability, or you are over 65. Email OPCVideoChat@boston.gov with your ticket details and evidence, and the City will schedule a time.
Is it worth contesting a parking ticket?
If you have a genuine reason and some evidence — a hidden sign, a broken meter, a valid permit or a ticket with wrong details — a written appeal costs little and succeeds often enough to be worth the few minutes it takes.
What evidence helps the most?
Clear, dated photos of the signs, curb and meter; payment receipts or permits; and anything showing the ticket's details are wrong, such as the wrong plate or vehicle make.
FairLetter is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Letters are templates you customize and send yourself.