How long do I have to contest a parking ticket in Boston?

You have 21 days from the citation date to file an appeal with Office of the Parking Clerk, through its official appeal portal at https://www.boston.gov/departments/parking-clerk. Miss that window and the citation is normally treated as accepted, so file first and gather extra paperwork after.

What evidence do I need to fight a Boston parking ticket?

Include the citation number, the date and time, your license plate, and a photo of the posted sign or your paid meter receipt taken at the space. A timestamped photo showing the meter was paid, or that the posted restriction did not apply at that hour, is the evidence that decides most Boston, MA appeals. ParkPiggy stores those photos on your device and drafts the letter for you.

What are the parking meter hours in Boston?

Meters in Boston, MA are enforced Mon–Sat, 9:00 AM–6:00 PM. Rates run about ~$1.25-$3.75/hour. Free parking: Sundays free at meters, city holidays free, free outside posted meter hours — posted signs still apply.. Posted signs at the space always override a citywide schedule.

How do I file the appeal in Boston?

Write a short statement naming the citation, the space, and why the ticket was issued in error, attach your photo evidence, and submit it to Office of the Parking Clerk within 21 days using https://www.boston.gov/departments/parking-clerk. ParkPiggy generates that letter from your scan and photo so you only have to paste and send it.

What is the most common parking ticket trap in Boston?

TD Garden / Fenway: meters stay $1.25-$3.75 — garages surge. Boston meters citywide are typically Mon-Sat 8am-8pm at $1.25-$3.75/hr with a 2-hour max, free Sundays and city holidays. Event nights at TD Garden and Fenway do not automatically change the meter rate; the North Station Garage event rate is $60 pre-purchase / $65 day-of. Read resident-permit and game-day tow signs near Fenway separately. Enforcement: Resident-permit and tow-away signs near venues. Rate: Meters unchanged; garage event $60-$65. Limit: Meter 2 hours. Schedule: Event nights · Meters unchanged; garage event $60-$65 · Meter 2 hours. Typical fine: Garage event rate or RPP ticket.

Is parking free on Sundays or holidays in Boston?

Sundays free at meters, city holidays free, free outside posted meter hours — posted signs still apply. Outside those times, assume meters are live during Mon–Sat, 9:00 AM–6:00 PM.

Local parking guide

Parking rules in Boston, MA

Meter hours, the rules that hand out the most tickets, and exactly how long you have to contest one in Boston. Enforced by Office of the Parking Clerk.

Boston meter hours

Enforced:: Mon–Sat, 9:00 AM–6:00 PM
Rate:: ~$1.25-$3.75/hour
Free parking:: Sundays free at meters, city holidays free, free outside posted meter hours — posted signs still apply.
Ticket risk:: High
Data quality:: Verified source

How to contest a Boston parking ticket

You have 21 days from the citation date to file an appeal with Office of the Parking Clerk. Photograph the sign and your paid meter before you leave — that photo is the evidence that wins most appeals.

Draft my dispute letter Official Boston appeal portal

From ParkPiggy

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Geo-targeted placement next to the local rules drivers came here to read.

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How to pay & who to call

Pay with:: ParkBoston
Agency:: Office of the Parking Clerk
Good to know:: Mon-Sat 8am-8pm. Free Sundays and city holidays incl. Evacuation Day / Bunker Hill Day.

Sources last checked Aug 28, 2026. The posted sign at your bumper always wins.

Watch it: contesting a Boston ticket

Two short clips — one for the photos to take at the curb, one for the appeal itself. Every step is written out under each clip, so you never need the audio.

Shoot the proof in Boston

5 sec

Meter screen first, then the sign above it — the two frames that win most Office of the Parking Clerk appeals.

Pay first, then photograph the meter or kiosk screen while the time paid is still showing.
Step back and photograph the whole sign post so every posted restriction is in one frame.
Photograph anything blocking the sign — foliage, a truck, luggage, scaffolding.
Save both photos in ParkPiggy Photos before you walk away.

How the Boston appeal works

10 sec

You get about 21 days from the citation date to file with Office of the Parking Clerk. Here's the order of operations.

Read the citation and note the date — the 21-day clock starts there, not when you found the ticket.
Attach your meter and sign photos as evidence.
Generate the dispute letter, which names the citation, the space and the rule.
Submit it through the Office of the Parking Clerk portal and log the filing date in your tracker.
Keep a copy. A decision can take weeks after the filing window closes.

Your Boston evidence checklist

Built from the 4 rules we hold for Boston and the 21-day Office of the Parking Clerk window. Tick each shot as you take it — progress is saved on this device only.

9 photos to capture

Photo of the meter or kiosk screen showing time paidShows Office of the Parking Clerk the exact minute you paid and how long it covered. Get the screen readable, not just the machine.
Photo of the paper receipt or the app confirmation screenA second, independent record in case the meter screen photo is hard to read.
Photo of the space or meter number next to your carTies the payment you made to the space the citation was written for.
Wide photo of every posted sign on the block faceMeters in Boston run Mon–Sat, 9:00 AM–6:00 PM, but the sign at your bumper overrides that. A wide shot proves what was actually posted.
Photo of anything blocking, faded or contradicting the signFoliage, a delivery truck, luggage, scaffolding or a peeling sign face is one of the strongest grounds for dismissal.
Photo of your car in the space with the curb and hydrant visibleEstablishes distance from hydrants, corners and driveways, and shows the curb colour.
Photo of your permit or visitor pass on the dashResident Parking Only streets are not visitor parking. Large parts of Boston neighborhoods are resident-permit-only, often 24/7. A free meter or Sunday does not authorize parking on a Resident Parking Only block without the matching neighborhood permit. Enforcement: 24/7 unless sign lists days/times.
Photo covering the Boston trap: td garden / fenway: meters stay $1.25-$3.75 — garages surgeBoston meters citywide are typically Mon-Sat 8am-8pm at $1.25-$3.75/hr with a 2-hour max, free Sundays and city holidays. Event nights at TD Garden and Fenway do not automatically change the meter rate; the North Station Garage event rate is $60 pre-purchase / $65 day-of. Read resident-permit and game-day tow signs near Fenway separately. Enforcement: Resident-permit and tow-away signs near venues. Rate: Meters unchanged; garage event $60-$65. Limit: Meter 2 hours.
Photo of both sides of the citation itselfYou have 21 days from the citation date to file with Office of the Parking Clerk, and the citation number has to be exact.

Save these photos

Set a Boston deadline reminder

Boston gives you about 21 days from the citation date to file with Office of the Parking Clerk. Enter the date on your ticket and ParkPiggy warns you before the window shuts.

Date printed on the citation

Citation number (optional)

Warn me this many days early

Filing deadline: 9/18/2026 · 22 days left

Open my appeal tracker

Boston parking rules and traps

Meters Mon-Sat 8am-8pm
Verified source
Most Boston meters operate Monday-Saturday 8:00am-8:00pm. Typical 2-hour maximum. Rates about $1.25-$3.75/hr (Back Bay and Seaport at the high end). Enforcement: Meter hours. Rate: ~$1.25-$3.75/hour. Limit: Usually 2 hours.
Mon-Sat 8:00am-8:00pm · ~$1.25-$3.75/hour · Usually 2 hours · Citation
Sourcefor Meters Mon-Sat 8am-8pm (opens in a new tab)
Sundays and city holidays free at meters
Verified source
Meters are free with no time limit on Sundays and government-recognized holidays, including Evacuation Day / St. Patrick's Day and Bunker Hill Day (June 17). Resident-only signs still apply. Enforcement: Other signs still live. Limit: None at meters.
Sun + holidays · Free · None at meters · Citation if other restriction
Sourcefor Sundays and city holidays free at meters (opens in a new tab)
Resident Parking Only streets are not visitor parking
Verified source
Large parts of Boston neighborhoods are resident-permit-only, often 24/7. A free meter or Sunday does not authorize parking on a Resident Parking Only block without the matching neighborhood permit. Enforcement: 24/7 unless sign lists days/times.
Usually daily · Citation
Sourcefor Resident Parking Only streets are not visitor parking (opens in a new tab)
TD Garden / Fenway: meters stay $1.25-$3.75 — garages surge
Verified source
Boston meters citywide are typically Mon-Sat 8am-8pm at $1.25-$3.75/hr with a 2-hour max, free Sundays and city holidays. Event nights at TD Garden and Fenway do not automatically change the meter rate; the North Station Garage event rate is $60 pre-purchase / $65 day-of. Read resident-permit and game-day tow signs near Fenway separately. Enforcement: Resident-permit and tow-away signs near venues. Rate: Meters unchanged; garage event $60-$65. Limit: Meter 2 hours.
Event nights · Meters unchanged; garage event $60-$65 · Meter 2 hours · Garage event rate or RPP ticket
Sourcefor TD Garden / Fenway: meters stay $1.25-$3.75 — garages surge (opens in a new tab)

Stella's Boston tips

Pay with: ParkBoston
Mon-Sat 8am-8pm. Free Sundays and city holidays incl. Evacuation Day / Bunker Hill Day.

Boston parking questions, answered

How long do I have to contest a parking ticket in Boston?: You have 21 days from the citation date to file an appeal with Office of the Parking Clerk, through its official appeal portal at https://www.boston.gov/departments/parking-clerk. Miss that window and the citation is normally treated as accepted, so file first and gather extra paperwork after.
What evidence do I need to fight a Boston parking ticket?: Include the citation number, the date and time, your license plate, and a photo of the posted sign or your paid meter receipt taken at the space. A timestamped photo showing the meter was paid, or that the posted restriction did not apply at that hour, is the evidence that decides most Boston, MA appeals. ParkPiggy stores those photos on your device and drafts the letter for you.
What are the parking meter hours in Boston?: Meters in Boston, MA are enforced Mon–Sat, 9:00 AM–6:00 PM. Rates run about ~$1.25-$3.75/hour. Free parking: Sundays free at meters, city holidays free, free outside posted meter hours — posted signs still apply.. Posted signs at the space always override a citywide schedule.
How do I file the appeal in Boston?: Write a short statement naming the citation, the space, and why the ticket was issued in error, attach your photo evidence, and submit it to Office of the Parking Clerk within 21 days using https://www.boston.gov/departments/parking-clerk. ParkPiggy generates that letter from your scan and photo so you only have to paste and send it.
What is the most common parking ticket trap in Boston?: TD Garden / Fenway: meters stay $1.25-$3.75 — garages surge. Boston meters citywide are typically Mon-Sat 8am-8pm at $1.25-$3.75/hr with a 2-hour max, free Sundays and city holidays. Event nights at TD Garden and Fenway do not automatically change the meter rate; the North Station Garage event rate is $60 pre-purchase / $65 day-of. Read resident-permit and game-day tow signs near Fenway separately. Enforcement: Resident-permit and tow-away signs near venues. Rate: Meters unchanged; garage event $60-$65. Limit: Meter 2 hours. Schedule: Event nights · Meters unchanged; garage event $60-$65 · Meter 2 hours. Typical fine: Garage event rate or RPP ticket.
Is parking free on Sundays or holidays in Boston?: Sundays free at meters, city holidays free, free outside posted meter hours — posted signs still apply. Outside those times, assume meters are live during Mon–Sat, 9:00 AM–6:00 PM.

Check the curb you're standing at

Rules change block by block in Boston. Snap the sign and ParkPiggy tells you whether you can park there right now.

Scan a sign

Official Boston parking page

Stella's note

Posted signs beat every guide, including this one. Use the Boston rules above to know what to look for.

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