BROOKLINE, MA — Drivers will soon face higher fines for most parking violations after the Select Board approved an updated parking fine schedule that takes effect later this month.
Most of the town's common parking violations will increase from either $25 or $30 to $45, while several violations will increase to $50 on Wednesday, July 29. The changes leave fines for some of the most serious safety-related violations unchanged, including parking in a handicap space or ramp ($100), parking within 10 feet of a fire hydrant ($100), violating an emergency snow ban ($50) and stopping or standing in a bike lane ($50).
Among the largest increases is the fine for double parking, which will rise from $30 to $50. Fines for stopping on a crosswalk or sidewalk will also increase to $50. Numerous other violations—including no parking, parking too close to intersections, overtime parking, meter violations, overnight parking violations, and permit parking violations—will increase to $45 under the new schedule.
According to the police department, the higher fines will apply only to violations that occur on or after the new effective date. Tickets issued before the change takes effect will remain subject to the fine amounts that were in place when the violation occurred.
Earlier this year, the Charles River Regional Chamber asked the Select Board and Transportation Board to delay a decision until local businesses had an opportunity to provide feedback, arguing that while higher penalties for serious safety violations may be appropriate, increasing fines for more routine parking infractions could discourage customers from shopping and dining in Brookline.
Police reminded drivers that unpaid parking tickets can result in additional penalties. Under Massachusetts law, an RMV hold is placed on unpaid tickets after 42 days, preventing vehicle registration renewals until the balance is paid. Vehicles with more than five unpaid parking tickets may also be subject to towing. The department also notes that motorists who wish to contest a ticket should not pay it before filing an appeal, as payment is considered final disposition of the violation.
The updated fine schedule includes the following changes:
| Violation | Current Fine | New Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Handicap space or ramp | $100 | No change |
| Within 10 feet of hydrant | $100 | No change |
| Emergency snow ban | $50 | No change |
| Overnight permit violation (municipal lot) | $30 | $45 |
| Impeding snow removal | $25 | $45 |
| Less than 10-foot unobstructed lane | $25 | $45 |
| Double parking | $30 | $50 |
| Within intersection | $25 | $45 |
| Stopping violation | $25 | $45 |
| Fire station entrance | $25 | $45 |
| Across from fire station | $25 | $45 |
| Bus or trolley stop | $100 | No change |
| On bridge or approaches | $25 | $45 |
| Adjacent to center strip or island | $25 | $45 |
| Loading zone | $25 | $45 |
| No parking | $30 | $45 |
| Upon a sidewalk | $25 | $50 |
| Crosswalk | $25 | $50 |
| In front of driveway/private road | $25 | $45 |
| Unattended bus parking | $25 | $45 |
| On street overnight violation | $30 | $45 |
| Off street overnight violation | $30 | $45 |
| Permit parking violation | $25 | $45 |
| Taxi cab stand | $25 | $45 |
| Exceeded meter time limit | $25 | $45 |
| Within 20 feet of intersection | $25 | $45 |
| In excess of posted time limit | $25 | $45 |
| Storage (on street over 24 hours) | $25 | $45 |
| Unregistered motor vehicle | $25 | $45 |
| Over one foot from curb | $25 | $45 |
| Standing violation | $25 | $45 |
| Wrong direction | $25 | $45 |
| Angled parking | $25 | $45 |
| Angled parking only | $25 | $45 |
| Overtime (2-hour parking) | $30 | $45 |
| Meter space violation | $25 | $45 |
| Unpaid meter | $25 | $45 |
| No standing/stopping in bike lane | $50 | No change |
| Electric vehicle parking only | $25 | $45 |
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