By the Pine AI Editorial Team | Updated May 2026 | Reviewed using publicly available legal resources
Before you pay: if there's a wrong plate digit, a ParkBoston session that didn't register, or a sign you couldn't read from where you parked — dispute first. Paying a Boston parking ticket closes the citation permanently. You can't dispute after paying.
If the ticket was valid, here's how to pay.
Deadline
Pay within 21 calendar days of the citation date to avoid late fees. After 21 days, a penalty is added to the base fine. Unpaid Boston tickets are eventually referred to the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV), which can block your Massachusetts registration renewal.
Ways to Pay a Boston Parking Ticket
Online (Fastest)
Portal: boston.gov — Parking Clerk
- Go to the Parking Clerk page and locate the online payment link
- Enter your citation number and plate number
- Confirm the citation details
- Pay by credit or debit card
Online payments process immediately. Screenshot your confirmation — the Parking Clerk office's email confirmations can be delayed.
ParkBoston App
The ParkBoston app is Boston's primary meter payment app. It does not process ticket payments — only meter sessions. To pay a citation, use the online portal or one of the methods below.
By Mail
Send a check or money order (payable to "City of Boston") with your citation number written on the memo line to the address on the back of your ticket. Do not send cash. Allow 7–10 days for processing.
In Person
Boston Parking Clerk Office 1 City Hall Plaza, Boston, MA 02201
Bring your citation and a form of payment. Cash, check, and card are typically accepted. Receipt issued immediately.
What You Need to Pay
- Citation number — on the face of your ticket
- License plate number — for online lookup
- Payment method — card for online; check or money order for mail
After You Pay
- Online: Confirmed immediately in the city system
- Mail: Allow 7–10 business days; verify at the portal afterward
- In person: Receipt issued at time of payment
Payment is final. The citation cannot be disputed after payment.
What If You Think the Ticket Was Wrong?
Don't pay yet. Boston citations are disputable for ParkBoston app failures, wrong plate details, obscured signs, and meter malfunctions. You have 21 days to dispute before your options narrow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay a Boston parking ticket online? Yes. Go to boston.gov/parking and use the Parking Clerk online payment system.
What happens if I don't pay a Boston parking ticket? Late fees are added after 21 days. Unpaid tickets are eventually referred to the Massachusetts RMV, which blocks vehicle registration renewal until the balance is cleared.
Does paying a Boston parking ticket affect my insurance? Parking tickets are civil citations — they do not go on your driving record and do not affect insurance premiums.