The Overview
Massachusetts drivers who park in Scituate could face fines up to three times higher than before, under a new state law signed this summer. The maximum parking fine rose from $50 to $150 under "An Act relative to parking fines in the town of Scituate," which the governor signed on July 25. Republican state Sen. Patrick M. O'Connor and Democratic state Rep. Patrick Joseph Kearney sponsored the bill, according to the Massachusetts Legislature's records and their official legislative profiles.
GBH reported that some Massachusetts coastal towns have used parking rules and higher fines to manage scarce spaces and preserve beach access for residents, as in Ipswich, where officials restricted nonresident beach parking during the summer and raised parking fines. Rising seasonal demand and competition over shoreline access have pushed municipalities to tighten enforcement, with towns like Ipswich restricting nonresident beach parking and raising fines.
What's Next
The Massachusetts Senate approved the bill by voice vote with rules suspended for immediate consideration, and the House scheduled it for a third reading after local approval was received, according to Citizen Portal.
The governor signed the bill on July 25, 2026, and it took effect immediately, meaning the $150 cap is already in force. The bill materials identify no additional state-agency approval, and the act does not appear to require rulemaking, though updating local fine schedules is described as a possible municipal activity that the bill does not require or quantify.
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