Boston parking fines increase today

July 1, 2008 08:56 AM Email| Comments (0)| Text size – +

(David L. Ryan/Globe Staff/file)

By Globe Staff

Motorists in Boston should be wary of where they park -- tickets jumped to as high as $100 today downtown as a series of steep fine increases took effect.

Many fines downtown have doubled. In residential neighborhoods, the ticket hikes are more modest.

The fine for parking in a fire lane downtown increased from $40 to $100. Parking in front of a hydrant will now cost $100, instead of $75. The fine doubled for parking in front of a curb ramp from $50 to $100. In residential neighborhoods, double parking will now cost $30, instead of $20.

In a press release outlining the new fines, Boston Transportation Commissioner Thomas J. Tinlin said: "Let me emphasize that if you don't park illegally in Boston you will not be affected by this action."

For parking ticket purposes, downtown is the area from the waterfront to Massachusetts Avenue. The city's description of the increases downtown is below:

Fire Hydrant The fine for parking within ten (10) feet of a fire hydrant will be changed from seventy-five ($75.00) dollars to one hundred ($100.00) dollars. The late penalty of twenty-five ($25.00) dollars will be changed to thirty-three ($33.00) dollars.
Taxi Stand
The fine for parking in a Public Hackney Carriage Stand (Taxi Stand) will be changed from thirty ($30.00) dollars to fifty ($50.00) dollars. The late penalty of ten ($10.00) dollars will be changed to sixteen ($16.00) dollars.

Fire Lane
The fine for parking so as not to leave a clear and unobstructed ten (10’) foot lane (Fire Lane) will be changed from forty ($40.00) dollars to one hundred ($100.00) dollars. The late penalty of thirteen ($13.00) dollars will be changed to thirty-three ($33.00) dollars.

Sidewalk
The fine for parking upon any sidewalk will be changed from forty ($40.00) dollars to sixty-five ($65.00) dollars. The late penalty of thirteen ($13.00) dollars will be changed to twenty-one ($21.00) dollars.

Crosswalk
The fine for parking upon any crosswalk will be changed from forty ($40.00) dollars to eighty-five ($85.00) dollars. The late penalty of thirteen ($13.00) dollars will be changed to twenty-eight ($28.00) dollars.

HP Ramp Blocked
The fine for parking in front of any curb ramp designed for use by handicapped persons will be changed from fifty ($50.00) dollars to one hundred ($100.00) dollars. The late penalty of sixteen ($16.00) dollars will be changed to thirty-three ($33.00) dollars.

Snow Emergency Route
The fine for parking during weather emergencies will be changed from thirty-five ($35.00) dollars to forty-five ($45.00) dollars. The late penalty of eleven ($11.00) dollars will be changed to fifteen ($15.00) dollars.

Commercial Overnight
The fine for parking a commercial vehicle overnight will be changed from twenty ($20.00) dollars to sixty-five ($65.00) dollars. The late penalty of six ($6.00) dollars will be changed to twenty-one ($21.00) dollars.

Over One Foot From Curb
The fine for parking more than one (1’) foot from the curb will be changed from twenty ($20.00) dollars to thirty-five ($35.00) dollars. The late penalty of six ($6.00) dollars will be changed to eleven ($11.00) dollars.

No Valid / Expired Registration
The fine for parking without a valid registration plate will be changed from twenty ($20.00) dollars to forty ($40.00) dollars. The late penalty of six ($6.00) dollars will be changed to thirteen ($13.00) dollars.

No Valid / Expired Inspection
The fine for parking without a valid certificate of inspection will be changed from twenty ($20.00) dollars to forty ($40.00) dollars. The late penalty of six ($6.00) dollars will be changed to thirteen ($13.00) dollars.

Non-Emergency Repair
The fine for parking for the purpose of performing non-emergency repairs to a vehicle will be changed from twenty ($20.00) dollars to forty ($40.00) dollars. The late penalty of six ($6.00) dollars will be changed to thirteen ($13.00) dollars.

The fine and fee hikes in residential neighborhoods are:

Double Parking The fine for parking in excess of one (1) vehicle width from the edge or curb of a roadway (double parking) will be changed from twenty ($20.00) dollars to thirty ($30.00) dollars. The late penalty of six ($6.00) dollars will be changed to ten ($10.00) dollars.
No Parking
The fine for parking where parking is prohibited will be changed from ten ($10.00) dollars to fifteen ($15.00) dollars. The late penalty of three ($3.00) dollars will be changed to five ($5.00) dollars.

Over Posted Limit
The fine for parking over the posted time limit will be changed from ten ($10.00) dollars to fifteen ($15.00) dollars. The late penalty of three ($3.00) dollars will be changed to five ($5.00) dollars.